Top Recruiters Are Losing Senior Execs to Each Other

Talent war at staffing giants causes leadership churn as new roles and challenges rise

- Devina Sengupta

Top recruitment and staffing firms are grappling with an unusual wave of senior executive departures, as rivals poach top talent from each other to navigate a rapidly evolving market.

Major players like TeamLease, Adecco and Manpower Group are locked in a talent war over the past year, as the industry expands to meet the growing demand for gig, temporary, and permanent workers.

"Leaders who have grown within it often find it easier to navigate, while those coming from outside sometimes struggle to settle in. Add to that the fact that our business model is shifting rapidly—more specialization, more tech, more AI-led transformation—and it is natural for companies to bring in leaders with new skills and perspectives," said Manu Saigal, country manager of recruitment firm Hays.

Saigal joined UK-based Hays in June this year, and was with Adecco, one of India's largest staffing firms, for a decade. Her last position at Adecco was that of a director.