Dr Helen Yallop is head of the academic practice at Moloney Search. She also holds a visiting research fellowship at the department of history at King’s College London. This is her interview with the Financial Times.
Does headhunting have a role in the higher education sector?
I have been canvassing senior figures in academia to find out. Many respondents were sceptical, citing the strength of academic networks in attracting candidates. As natural networkers with a strong sense of their subject-centred professional identity, academics do indeed seem well qualified to conduct their own headhunting.
Are the academics right?
In practice, the DIY approach can lead to a degree of discrimination, while a third party might produce a more impartial list of candidates and, for example, gender equality might be enhanced. Institutions are sensitive to criticism that women and ethnic minority groups are under-represented at the highest levels. Headhunters can reach talent pools of under-represented groups and advise on how to court diversity through advertising and policy…