News Release

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (ticker: HSII, exchange: NASDAQ) News Release - 3-Aug-2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heidrick & Struggles Reports Record 2000 Second Quarter Revenue and Earnings

CHICAGO, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII), the world's largest and premier executive search firm, today announced record revenue and earnings for the 2000 second quarter. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share were $0.49, an increase of 63 percent from $0.30 in the 1999 second quarter. Revenue in the 2000 second quarter grew 47 percent to $166.4 million, up from $113.0 million in the comparable quarter of 1999. Net income was $10.0 million, an increase of 106 percent from $4.8 million in last year's second quarter. (For an explanation of "adjusted basis," see the Special Notes section at the end of the release.) Results reflect the pooling of interests merger in the 1999 third quarter with Sullivan & Company, a leading financial services executive search firm.

''We continue to see exceptional strength from our core executive search business with all geographic segments contributing to yet another quarter of impressive growth in revenue and earnings. Further, LeadersOnline continues to exceed our expectations,'' said Patrick S. Pittard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heidrick & Struggles International (HSI Group). ''We could not have done it without the extraordinary talent of our people, who are performing more searches than ever in our history. It is because of their dedication and world-class leadership that we are the premier search firm of choice for executive talent.''

On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share for the core business, Heidrick & Struggles Executive Search, were $0.54 in the 2000 second quarter. This excludes $0.09 in income from the warrant program and $0.13 in losses generated by LeadersOnline, the company's Internet-based recruiting solution for mid-level executives and professionals. In the 1999 second quarter, diluted earnings per share for Executive Search were $0.35. Confirmed searches increased 23 percent from the 1999 second quarter.

All Geographic Segments Report Double-Digit Revenue Growth

In the 2000 second quarter, Executive Search revenue in the U.S. segment rose 41 percent to $98.1 million, compared to $69.4 million in the 1999 second quarter, with the Financial Services and Technology practice groups continuing to lead the way. In the Americas-Other segment (Canada and Latin America), revenue grew 48 percent to $6.1 million, compared to $4.1 million in the 1999 second quarter.

In the 2000 second quarter, revenue in the Europe segment (which includes Africa and the Middle East) increased 36 percent to $46.6 million, compared to $34.3 million in the 1999 second quarter, due in part to the continued strong performance from the Financial Services and Consumer practice groups. Excluding the negative effects of foreign currency translation into the U.S. dollar, revenue increased 51 percent on a local currency basis over the comparable quarter in 1999. In Asia Pacific, revenue grew 84 percent to $9.5 million, compared to $5.2 million in the 1999 second quarter, with significant contributions from most of the operations in the segment.

Searches with Equity Component Continue to Grow

As of June 30, 2000, Heidrick & Struggles had confirmation letters for 570 searches in which warrants for equity in the client company were included as a portion of the fee in addition to the normal cash fee. The sale of equity obtained as partial payment in these assignments resulted in a pre-tax gain in the second quarter of $3.1 million, net of administrative costs of the warrant program and consultant bonuses; this amount is included in Other Non-Operating Income on the income statement.

LeadersOnline Update

LeadersOnline reported revenue of $6.1 million in the 2000 second quarter, compared to $150,000 in the 1999 second quarter. LeadersOnline did not begin to generate revenue until the 1999 second quarter and reported $2.6 million in revenue for the 1999 full year.

LeadersOnline reported a pre-tax loss of $4.2 million -- or $0.13 per diluted share -- in the 2000 second quarter, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.4 million -- or $0.05 per diluted share -- in the 1999 second quarter. The 2000 second quarter included a non-cash compensation charge of $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to the amortization of the difference between the deemed fair market value for accounting purposes and the exercise price of LeadersOnline options granted to certain Heidrick & Struggles and LeadersOnline employees.

As of June 30, LeadersOnline employed a staff of 74 professionals. Of these employees, 68 were located in North America and six were located outside North America. The average compensation of a LeadersOnline placement is presently approximately $140,000.

In April 2000, LeadersOnline entered into a strategic five-year alliance with Business Week, under which The Business Week Online Careers Channel and the LeadersOnline site will be linked to form a comprehensive online career destination for professional and managerial talent. In addition, Business Week Online will supply editorial content for a weekly electronic newsletter and custom-publish a magazine called ''LeadersOnline,'' designed to be the premier career management resource for the next generation of corporate leaders. It is anticipated that the magazine will launch in the 2000 fourth quarter.

For the year 2000, LeadersOnline anticipates generating revenue of at least $20 million and incurring losses of approximately $15 million. These losses are anticipated to be offset on Heidrick & Struggles' consolidated income statement by income generated from the company's warrant program and by out-performance in Executive Search. LeadersOnline currently anticipates revenue to grow nearly 100 percent in 2001, with an expectation to break even no later than the 2001 third quarter.

On April 10, 2000, LeadersOnline filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

Six Month Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2000, diluted earnings per share on an adjusted basis were $0.68, an increase of 66 percent from $0.41 in the comparable period last year. Revenue grew 44 percent to $298.4 million from $207.6 million in the comparable period last year. Net income was $13.5 million, an increase of 106 percent from $6.6 million in the comparable period last year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2000, diluted earnings per share for Executive Search were $0.82. This excludes $0.13 in income from the warrant program and $0.28 in losses generated by LeadersOnline. In the comparable period for 1999, diluted earnings per share for Executive Search were $0.50, on an adjusted basis.

LeadersOnline reported revenue of $9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000, compared to $150,000 during the first six months of 1999. LeadersOnline reported a pre-tax loss of $8.4 million -- or $0.28 per diluted share -- during the first six months of 2000, compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.6 million -- or $0.09 per diluted share -- during the first six months of 1999.

On a reported basis for consolidated results for the six months ended June 30, 2000, diluted earnings per share were $0.68 versus a loss of $0.50 in the comparable period last year. Revenue grew 59 percent to $298.4 million from $187.6 million in the comparable period last year. Net income was $13.5 million versus a loss of $5.3 million in the comparable period last year.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Heidrick & Struggles International is the world's largest and premier executive search firm, specializing in chief executive, board of directors and senior level management assignments. Today, nearly 900 Heidrick & Struggles professionals serve a broad range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, major health care organizations, universities and not-for-profit organizations, leading mid-cap companies, and emerging growth companies from offices in more than 70 locations throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, visit our web site at http://www.heidrick.com/ .

Special Notes

References to ''adjusted basis'' information above apply to figures that exclude current and prior period non-recurring items. Further, ''adjusted basis'' assumes the merger of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. (''H&S Inc.'') and Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (''HSI'') occurred on January 1, 1999. The merger, completed on February 26, 1999, combined the operations of H&S Inc., which operated in all regions of the world except Europe, with Europe-based HSI, which previously had been approximately 35 percent owned by H&S Inc.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that are necessarily dependent upon assumptions, estimates and data that may be incorrect or imprecise, and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of the risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors that could affect the company's financial results are included in the company's recent SEC filings. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements, and the company expressly disclaims any duty to update such forward-looking statements.


  
           HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, AS ADJUSTED
(Excluding one-time adjustments and assuming completion of the merger
    of H&S and HSI and public company status at January 1, 1999)
               (In thousands, except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

               Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
                  2000   1999 (A) % Change   2000   1999 (A)(B) % Change

Revenue         $166,416  $113,046     47.2%  $298,352 $207,632    43.7%

Operating expenses:
 Salaries and
  employee
  benefits(C)(D) 108,263    76,397     41.7%   200,663  140,460    42.9%
 General and
  administrative
  expenses(E)     44,933    27,845     61.4%    80,743   54,876    47.1%
   Total operating
    expenses     153,196   104,242     47.0%   281,406  195,336    44.1%
   Operating
    income        13,220     8,804     50.2%    16,946   12,296    37.8%
 Non-operating
 income (expense):
 Interest income   1,833       426    330.3%     3,350      596   462.1%
 Interest expense    (52)     (460)   -88.7%      (127)    (993)  -87.2%
 Minority interest   157         -         -       157        -        -
 Other, net        3,023        63   4698.4%     4,719       76  6109.2%
   Net
   non-operating
    income
    (expense)      4,961        29  17006.9%     8,099     (321)       -
  Income before
  income taxes(F) 18,181     8,833    105.8%    25,045   11,975   109.1%
Provision for
 income taxes      8,183     3,984    105.4%    11,532    5,415   113.0%
    Net income    $9,998    $4,849    106.2%   $13,513   $6,560   106.0%
  Basic earnings
 per common share  $0.52     $0.30     73.3%     $0.72    $0.41    75.6%
Basic weighted
 average common
 shares
 outstanding(G)   19,211    16,132     19.1%    18,643   16,049    16.2%
Diluted earnings
 per common share  $0.49     $0.30     63.3%     $0.68    $0.41    65.9%
Diluted weighted
 average common
 shares
 outstanding
 (G)(H)           20,497    16,172     26.7%    19,906   16,109    23.6%

(A)Statements have been restated to give retroactive effect to the merger of HSI and Sullivan & Company on September 1, 1999, which has been accounted for using the pooling of interests method and, as a result, the results of operations are presented as if the combining companies had been consolidated for all periods presented and as if the shares of additional common stock issued in connection with the merger had been issued for all periods presented.

(B)Amounts assume that the merger of H&S Inc. and HSI had occurred on January 1, 1999.

(C)Amount excludes the $12.4 million nonrecurring Mulder charge ($0.77 per share on a diluted basis) for the six months ended June 30, 1999. This charge is the result of the modification of the terms of the Mulder acquisition agreement, including the termination of all employment contingencies.  It represents the write-off of $2.9 million of deferred compensation assets, the settlement of the remaining cash due of $4.3 million and the issuance of 428,452 common shares (worth $5.2 million) to the previous owners of Mulder.  In addition, $0.9 million of deferred compensation expense relating to the acquisition has been excluded for the six months ended June 30, 1999.

(D)Amount includes a non-cash compensation charge of $1.0 million and $1.9 million ($0.05 per share and $0.10 per share on a diluted basis) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2000, respectively.  This charge is due to the issuance of options by LeadersOnline, Inc., at a price below the deemed fair market value for accounting purposes, at the time of issuance.

(E)Amount has been adjusted to include amortization related to acquired intangibles and goodwill arising from the merger of H&S and HSI of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999.

(F)Equity in net loss of affiliate has been eliminated for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to reflect 100% ownership of HSI after the merger.

(G)Amount has been adjusted to give effect to the initial public offering of 3.7 million shares and issuance of 0.7 million shares under the Company's GlobalShare plan as of January 1, 1999.  In addition, the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999 have been adjusted for the issuance of 0.5 million shares on June 1, 1999 which arose from the exercise of a portion of  the over-allotment option granted to certain underwriters of the initial public offering.

(H)Amount has been adjusted to give effect to the issuance of options pursuant to the Company's GlobalShare plan equivalent to 0.04 million shares and 0.1 million shares for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively under the treasury stock method.

             HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              (In thousands, except per share data)
                          (unaudited)
                Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
                 2000    1999 (A)  % Change   2000    1999 (A) % Change

Revenue       $166,416   $113,046    47.2% $298,352 $187,647    59.0%
Operating expenses:
 Salaries and
  employee
  benefits(B)  108,263     76,397    41.7%  200,663  125,544    59.8%
 General and
  administrative
  expenses      44,933     27,845    61.4%   80,743   48,435    66.7%
 Nonrecurring
  charge(C)          -          -        -        -   12,420        -
   Total operating
    expenses   153,196    104,242    47.0%  281,406  186,399    51.0%
   Operating
    income      13,220      8,804    50.2%   16,946    1,248  1257.9%
 Non-operating
 income (expense):
 Interest income 1,833        426   330.3%    3,350      596   462.1%
 Interest expense  (52)      (460)  -88.7%     (127)    (937)  -86.4%
 Minority interest 157          -        -      157        -        -
 Other, net      3,023         63  4698.4%    4,719       76  6109.2%
   Net
    non-operating
    income
    (expense)    4,961         29 17006.9%    8,099     (265)       -
 Equity in net loss
 of affiliate        -          -        -        -     (630)       -
  Income before
  income taxes  18,181      8,833   105.8%   25,045      353  6994.9%
Provision for
 income taxes    8,183      3,984   105.4%   11,532    5,652   104.0%
    Net income
    (loss)      $9,998     $4,849   106.2%  $13,513  $(5,299)      -


Basic earnings
 (loss) per
 common share    $0.52      $0.33    57.6%    $0.72   $(0.50)       -
Basic weighted
 average common
 shares
 outstanding    19,211     14,884    29.1%   18,643   10,636    75.3%
Diluted earnings
 (loss) per common
 share           $0.49      $0.33    48.5%    $0.68   $(0.50)       -
Diluted weighted
 average common
 shares
 outstanding    20,497     14,913    37.4%   19,906   10,651    86.9%

(A)Statements have been restated to give retroactive effect to the merger of HSI and Sullivan & Company on September 1, 1999, which has been accounted for using the pooling of interests method and, as a result, the results of operations are presented as if the combining companies had been consolidated for all periods presented and as if the shares of additional common stock issued in connection with the merger had been issued for all periods presented.

(B)Amount includes a non-cash compensation charge of $1.0 million and $1.9 million ($0.05 per share and $0.10 per share on a diluted basis) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2000, respectively.  This charge is due to the issuance of options by LeadersOnline, Inc., at a price below the deemed fair market value for accounting purposes, at the time of issuance.

(C)The Company incurred a $12.4 million nonrecurring charge during the first quarter of 1999 as a result of the modification of the terms of the Mulder acquisition agreement, including the termination of all employment contingencies.  This nonrecurring charge represents the write-off of $2.9 million of deferred compensation assets, the settlement of the remaining cash due of $4.3 million, and the issuance of 428,452 common shares (worth $5.2 million) to the previous owners of Mulder.

               HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)
                                    June 30,   December 31,    June 30,
                                     2000         1999        1999 (A)
                                 (unaudited)                 (unaudited)
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents      $144,214      $76,848      $66,555
   Accounts receivable, net of
    allowance for doubtful accounts125,987       83,162       82,107
   Other receivables                 6,813        4,241        3,163
   Prepaid expenses                  9,742        7,583        3,747
   Deferred income taxes            21,107       19,881       15,860
      Total current assets         307,863      191,715      171,432

Property and equipment, net         55,708       52,352       48,751

Other assets:
   Cash and investments designated
    for nonqualified retirement
    plans                           32,076       32,702       30,924
   Investments and other assets     26,731       11,772       12,914
   Deferred income taxes             1,371          376        6,346
   Goodwill & other intangibles,
    net                             64,329       45,832       45,376
      Total other assets           124,507       90,682       95,560
       Total assets               $488,078     $334,749     $315,743

(A)Amounts have been restated to give retroactive effect to the merger with Sullivan & Company as of January 1, 1999.
  
            HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)

                                   June 30,   December 31,    June 30,
                                     2000         1999        1999 (A)
                                 (unaudited)                 (unaudited)

Current liabilities:
   Current maturities of long-term
    debt                                $-       $3,039       $4,370
   Accounts payable                 10,598        8,052        9,896
   Accrued expenses-
      Salaries and employee
       benefits                    141,008      100,762       96,386
      Other                         21,483       14,964       16,650
   Income taxes payable              8,466       10,891        2,075
      Total current liabilities    181,555      137,708      129,377

Long-term debt, less current
 maturities                              -            -        3,074

Liability for nonqualified
 retirement plans                   28,399       29,161       28,555

Other long-term liabilities          2,072            -        2,552

Stockholders' equity               276,052      167,880      152,185

      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity       $488,078     $334,749     $315,743

(A) Amounts have been restated to give retroactive effect to the merger with Sullivan & Company as of January 1, 1999.

              HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                SEGMENT INFORMATION, AS ADJUSTED (A)
                     (In thousands, unaudited)

                                  Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                          2000     1999
                           2000    1999 (A)   % Change   Margin   Margin
Revenue
Americas
  United States         $98,112    $69,363      41.4%
  Other                   6,113      4,117      48.5%
International
  Europe                 46,608     34,265      36.0%
  Asia Pacific            9,476      5,151      84.0%
Total Executive Search  160,309    112,896      42.0%
LeadersOnline             6,107        150    3971.3%
     Total Company     $166,416   $113,046      47.2%

Operating Income (Loss)
Americas
  United States         $17,503    $11,441      53.0%    17.8%    16.5%
  Other                     921        740      24.5%    15.1%    18.0%
International
  Europe                  5,249      1,234     325.4%    11.3%     3.6%
  Asia Pacific            1,682        905      85.9%    17.8%    17.6%
Total Executive Search   25,355     14,320      77.1%    15.8%    12.7%
LeadersOnline            (4,333)    (1,384)    213.1%        -        -
Corporate                (7,802)    (4,132)     88.8%        -        -
     Total Company      $13,220     $8,804      50.2%     7.9%     7.8%


                                      Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                        2000      1999
                          2000    1999 (A)    % Change   Margin   Margin
Revenue
Americas
  United States        $172,438   $124,955      38.0%
  Other                  11,013      7,281      51.3%
International
  Europe                 87,992     66,282      32.8%
  Asia Pacific           17,598      8,964      96.3%
Total Executive Search  289,041    207,482      39.3%
LeadersOnline             9,311        150    6107.3%
     Total Company     $298,352   $207,632      43.7%

Operating Income (Loss)
Americas
  United States         $28,275    $19,214      47.2%    16.4%    15.4%
  Other                   1,290        954      35.2%    11.7%    13.1%
International
  Europe                  8,684      1,706     409.0%     9.9%     2.6%
  Asia Pacific            2,991        892     235.3%    17.0%    10.0%
Total Executive Search   41,240     22,766      81.1%    14.3%    11.0%
LeadersOnline            (8,519)    (2,639)    222.8%        -        -
Corporate               (15,775)    (7,831)    101.4%        -        -
     Total Company      $16,946    $12,296      37.8%     5.7%     5.9%

(A) Excludes all one-time adjustments and assumes the merger of H&S and HSI had occurred on January 1, 1999.  In addition, the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999 have been restated to include the effect of the Merger of HSI and Sullivan & Company.

SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Jennifer Silver, 404-572-0019, e-mail, jsilver@heidrick.com or Analysts, Barry Hollingsworth, 312-496-1723, e-mail, bhollingsworth@heidrick.com, both of Heidrick & Struggles