Krishnan Rajagopalan, born in 1960, has been the CEO of Heidrick & Struggles since July 2017, following a transition from being the Executive Vice President and Global Practice leader. He has an extensive career in executive search, having joined Heidrick...

Krishnan Rajagopalan, born in 1960, has been the CEO of Heidrick & Struggles since July 2017, following a transition from being the Executive Vice President and Global Practice leader. He has an extensive career in executive search, having joined Heidrick & Struggles in 2001 and climbing through various leadership roles. His experience includes leading the Global Technology & Professional Services practice. Under his leadership, the company has adopted a rigorous pay-for-performance philosophy, which is evident in his compensation structure that varies significantly based on performance metrics like Revenue and Operating Income. Notably, his total compensation skyrocketed to $2.88 million in 2022, driven by an impressive bonus based on company performance. Rajagopalan's strategic vision is complemented by his strong focus on aligning executive efforts with the goals of the shareholders, a practice that has been part of the company's culture since he stepped into high-level positions. He is known for shifting the company direction towards innovation in executive search, making it a recognized leader in the market.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Heidrick & Struggles CEOs

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Krishnan Rajagopalan

CEO of Heidrick & Struggles

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Business & Management - Executive Search

Sector of Economy

Industrials

Born

January 1, 1960 - 65 years ago

CEO of Heidrick & Struggles for

8 years 2 months (Apr 2017 - Present)

Previous Experience

Various leadership roles at Heidrick & Struggles

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Krishnan Rajagopalan

Holdings

See how much did Krishnan Rajagopalan make over time.

As of now, Krishnan Rajagopalan's wealth is significantly tied to his compensation from Heidrick & Struggles. In 2022, he enjoyed a total compensation package of $2.88 million, with a base salary of $900,000 and a hefty bonus of $2.72 million...

As of now, Krishnan Rajagopalan's wealth is significantly tied to his compensation from Heidrick & Struggles. In 2022, he enjoyed a total compensation package of $2.88 million, with a base salary of $900,000 and a hefty bonus of $2.72 million based on company performance. Over the previous years, his total compensation experienced major fluctuations. For instance, in 2021, he earned $518,276, reflecting fewer performance incentives during that period. The biggest leap was in 2019, where he received $4.30 million, largely due to a substantial bonus and vested stocks, showcasing the volatility tied to performance-based pay. This indicates how much his financial well-being is directly influenced by the firm's success in the competitive executive search market.

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Total Stock Sold

$769.77K

HSII

$769.77K

18,600 HSII shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Krishnan Rajagopalan didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra HSII18,600 shares worth $396.92K.
This is -48.44% and $372.85K less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Krishnan Rajagopalan.

HSII

41,636 shares

HSII

Jun 22, 2023

Received

HSII

$1.65M

HSII at $33.00/share

Mar 9, 2023

Received

HSII

$1.22M

HSII at $37.38/share

Mar 8, 2022

Received

HSII

$204.70K

HSII at $40.94/share

Mar 2, 2022

Sale

HSII

$563.72K

HSII at $41.45/share

Aug 16, 2021

Sale

HSII

$1.58M

HSII at $35.03/share

Mar 26, 2021

Received

HSII

16,064 shares

HSII

Mar 26, 2020

Received

HSII

9,671 shares

HSII

Mar 8, 2020

Received

HSII

$75.12K

HSII at $20.87/share

Feb 27, 2020

Purchase

HSII

$634.85K

HSII at $39.52/share

Mar 26, 2019

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Krishnan Rajagopalan make over time.

In 2022, Krishnan Rajagopalan's total compensation was $2,876,800, which included a salary of $900,000, a massive bonus of $2,716,800 from the Management Incentive Plan (MIP), and other perks worth $18,300. The bonus he received represented 156.8% of his target, tied to specific financial metrics and personal performance goals. In previous years, his pay varied greatly; for example, in 2021, he earned $518,276, with no bonuses reported that year. The year 2019 saw his pay hit $4.30 million, driven largely by a significant portion of his earnings coming from bonuses and stock vesting. His compensation reflects a consistent philosophy aimed at attracting and retaining top executives while ensuring their goals align with those of the company's stockholders.

Year

2022

Total Compensation

$3.64M

Salary

$900.00K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate leaders while aligning their interests with those of stockholders through a pay-for-performance philosophy.

Bonus

$2.72M

Board Justification

The Management Incentive Plan (MIP) payout for 2022 was based on achieving specific financial metrics and individual performance objectives, resulting in a payout of 156.8% of the target bonus.

Other

$18.30K

Board Justification

Includes a 401(k) employer matching contribution.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock was vested in 2022 as the focus is on the total compensation excluding stock grants.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for 2022 included Adjusted Operating Income, Search Net Revenues, Non-Search Net Revenues, and qualitative performance objectives.

Other Heidrick & Struggles CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Heidrick & Struggles

Tracy R. Wolstencroft

Ex-CEO of Heidrick & Struggles

February 2014 - April 2017