Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                         Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
                        ------------------------------
                 Deferred Compensation Program (the "Program")
                 ---------------------------------------------

1.  General.

    1.1  The purpose of the Program is to provide selected participants the
opportunity to defer into the future compensation to which the Participant is
not yet entitled.

    1.2  The Program shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee may delegate its
administrative authority, except as respects Section 16 Officers, to any Company
officer or committee of Company employees.

2.  Definitions.

    2.1  "Cash Deferral" means the deferral of Compensation pursuant to the
Program into an obligation of the Company to pay on a future date or dates the
Deferred Compensation plus interest or earnings thereon determined in the manner
set out in the instrument evidencing the Company's obligation. The general terms
and conditions applicable to Cash Deferrals are set out on Exhibit A.

    2.2  "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
of the Company or, except as to Section 16 Officers, any persons to whom the
administrative authority has been delegated.

    2.3  "Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, $.01 par value.

    2.4  "Company" means Leggett & Platt, Incorporated and all of its
subsidiaries.

    2.5  "Compensation" means salary, incentive compensation plan bonuses,
special bonuses, bonuses payable under the Company's Executive Stock Purchase
Program, and all other forms of cash compensation which may become payable to a
Participant except to the extent excluded by the Committee.

    2.6  "Deferred Compensation" means any Compensation which would have become
payable to a Participant but for the Participant's election to defer such
Compensation pursuant to the Program.

    2.7  "Lost Retirement Benefit Amount" -- see Section 5.2.

    2.8  "Option" means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to the Program. The general terms and conditions of the Options are set
out on Exhibit B.

    2.9  "Participant" means (i) all Section 16 Officers and (ii) such other
employees of the Company as shall be selected by the Committee.
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    2.10 "Section 16 Officers" means all officers of the Company subject to the
requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

3.  Election to Defer.

    3.1  Each Participant shall be given the option to elect to defer all or a
portion of the Participant's Compensation which will become payable to the
Participant in the next calendar year. Compensation may be deferred into either
a Cash Deferral or Option. The foregoing notwithstanding, Section 16 Officers
may not elect to receive an Option except as provided in Section 6.

    3.2  Elections shall be made on forms approved by the Committee and the
Company's Legal Department. The election must be made before the Participant is
entitled to receive the Compensation deferred and in any event must be made on
or before December 30 of the calendar year preceding the year in which the
Deferred Compensation would have normally become payable. Elections may be
modified or withdrawn until such time as an original election could no longer be
made.

    3.3  If Compensation payable after giving effect to a deferral election will
be insufficient to pay all required deductions and payments in connection with
Company benefit plans and any required tax or other governmental withholdings,
arrangements suitable to the Company for the collection of the deductions and
payments mentioned above must be made at the time the relevant agreement
evidencing the Cash Deferral or Option is entered into. Deferred Compensation
shall not be paid and Options may not be exercised unless all required
deductions and payments have been paid.

    3.4  Election forms distributed to Participants shall be accompanied by
explanatory materials and other documentation which shall be determined by the
Committee and the Legal Department to comply with all applicable disclosure
requirements and otherwise explain the features of the Program.

4.  Implementation of Deferral.

    4.1  Upon receipt and acceptance of an election to defer Compensation, the
Company shall deliver to the Participant an agreement evidencing the Company's
obligations as respects the Deferred Compensation.

    4.2  These agreements shall incorporate all of the terms and conditions of
the Cash Deferral (Exhibit A) or the Options (Exhibit B) and contain such
additional terms and conditions determined by the Committee to be consistent
with Exhibits A or B and necessary to implement the Participant's election.

                                       2
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5.  Company Benefit Plans.

    5.1  It is intended that the deferral of Compensation pursuant to the
Program shall not affect other Company benefit plans or programs in which the
Participant is participating or may be eligible to participate.

    5.2  The following shall apply as respects the types of benefits listed
below.

         .   Retirement Plan--The principal amount payable by the Company under
             a Cash Deferral agreement or the amount used to calculate the
             number of shares subject to Options shall be increased by the Lost
             Retirement Benefit Amount. The Lost Retirement Benefit Amount is
             (i) the present value, if any, by which the Participant's
             retirement benefit under the Company's Retirement Plan would be
             reduced as a result of the deferral of Compensation under the
             Program less (ii) the present value of Participant contributions
             not made to the Retirement Plan as a result of deferral of
             Compensation.

         .   Executive Stock Purchase Program--The amount of payroll deductions
             for required payments of Participant under the Company's Executive
             Stock Purchase Program shall be calculated as if no deferral had
             occurred.

         .   Discount Stock Plan--The Discount Stock Plan provides that the
             elected amount of contribution expressed as a percentage of
             compensation shall be calculated as if no deferral had occurred.

         .   Life Insurance and Disability Benefits--To the extent the level of
             benefits is based upon a Participant's compensation, Deferred
             Compensation shall be included for purposes of determining
             benefits.

    5.3  Participant shall be required to continue to make contributions and
payments as respects all Company benefit plans in which the Participant is
participating, except the Retirement Plan, in the amounts required as if no
deferral had occurred.  To the extent there is not sufficient Compensation after
deferral from which to withhold required contributions and payments the
participant must make arrangements suitable to the Company for payment of the
required amounts.  The use of Company Common Stock to satisfy such obligations
shall be considered by the Committee and may be approved in appropriate
circumstances.  Shares used to satisfy these obligations shall be valued in the
manner provided by the Committee.

                                       3
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6.   Special Provisions Applicable To Section 16 Officers.

     Only the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors or the
Flexible Stock Plan Committee shall have the power to make determinations and
interpretations as respects any Section 16 Officer.

7.   Miscellaneous.

     7.1  The Company shall not be responsible for the tax consequences of any
election to defer Compensation.  Participants shall consult with their own tax
advisors and satisfy themselves as to the tax consequences of their own deferral
election before making any elections under the Program.

     7.2  If a Participant elects a Cash Deferral, then in any year following
the election the Participant may request that the Committee grant an Option in
lieu of the Cash Deferral including all accrued interest.  In such case, the
Committee may in its sole discretion, but shall in no way be obligated to, grant
to the Participant an Option on such date and upon such modified terms and
conditions as the Committee shall select.

     7.3  Determinations by the Committee in connection with the interpretation
or implementation of the Program shall be binding on all Participants subject to
the claims procedure set out in Exhibit A.

     7.4  Neither the Program nor any elections pursuant to the Program, nor any
agreements issued under the Program shall constitute or be evidence of any
agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Company will employ or
retain the Participant for any period of time or at any particular rate of
compensation.

     7.5  A Participant may file a form designating one or more beneficiaries
who shall be entitled to the Deferred Compensation or to exercise an Option in
the event of the Participant's death.  A Participant may change or revoke a
designation of a beneficiary at any time or from time to time without obtaining
the consent of the beneficiary, and the Company shall have no duty to notify
such person of the change.  If notice of beneficiary is not on file or if no
person designated is living at the time of the Participant's death, then the
Participant's estate shall be deemed to be his designated beneficiary.

                                       4
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                         LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
                         DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                                 Cash Deferral

     Set out below are the general terms and conditions applicable to an
election to defer Compensation into an obligation of the Company to pay the
Deferred Compensation in cash at a later date.

     1.   The Company's obligation shall be evidenced by a written agreement
between the Company and the Participant.

     2.   The Company's obligation shall be a mere promise by it to pay money in
the future and the Participant shall have the status of a general unsecured
creditor of the Company.

     3.   Interest shall be paid on the Deferred Compensation from the date the
Deferred Compensation would have been payable at an above market rate
established by the Company's Senior Vice President-Finance and Administration or
other officer serving as the Company's chief financial officer.

     4.   At the discretion of the Committee the amount payable by the Company
as respects Deferred Compensation may be determined in such alternative manner
as may be proposed by the Participant.

     5.   Deferred Compensation vests at the time the Participant would have
been entitled to receive the Compensation but for the election to defer.

     6.   The date or dates of payment of the Deferred Compensation plus accrued
interest or other earnings ("Total Deferred Benefits") shall be as set out in
the Participant's election form; provided, however, that the date of the initial
payment of the Deferred Compensation shall not be earlier than two years after
the deferral election is made or such other date as the Committee may specify.
The Committee may in its discretion establish maximum deferral periods and
maximum pay out periods.

     7.   The Participant may elect to change the period over which the Deferred
Compensation is to be paid.  Only one election will be permitted except with the
consent of the Committee.  The election may be made only during the period
beginning six months prior to the day the first payment of Deferred Compensation
is to be made and ending on the 15/th/ day before the first payment of Deferred
Compensation is to be made.

     8.   Upon the request of the Participant, or in the event of the disability
or death of the Participant, Participant's guardian, legal representative,
designated beneficiary, executor or estate, the Committee may at its sole
discretion make a full lump sum payment or partial lump

                                       5
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sum payment of unpaid vested Deferred Compensation together with any accrued
interest to Participant or Participant's estate or beneficiary.

     9.   Unless authorized by the Committee, the Company's obligation, as
respects Deferred Compensation, may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, or
hypothecated by the Participant during his lifetime.

     10.  Subject to and in accordance with the specific procedures contained in
the applicable regulations under ERISA then in effect:

          a.   In the event that Total Deferred Benefits are not paid to the
               Participant (or any beneficiary in the case of the Participant's
               death), and if such person believes he is entitled to receive
               such benefits, a claim shall be made in writing to the Committee
               within 60 days after written notice from the Committee denying
               the benefits.  The claim shall be reviewed by the Committee.  If
               the claim is approved or denied, in full or in part, the
               Committee shall provide a written notice of approval or denial
               within 90 days with, in the case of a denial, the specific
               reasons for the denial and specific reference to the provisions
               of the Program upon which the denial is based.  A claim shall be
               deemed denied if the Committee does not take any action within
               such 90-day period.

          b.   If a claim is denied or deemed denied under (a) above and a
               review is desired, the Participant (or beneficiary in the case of
               the Participant's death) shall notify the Committee in writing
               within 60 days of the receipt of notice of denial or the date on
               which the claim is deemed to be denied, as the case may be.  In
               requesting a review, the claimant may review the Program or any
               document relating to it and submit any written issues and
               comments he may deem appropriate.  The Committee shall then
               review the claim and provide a written decision within 60 days.
               This decision, if adverse to the claimant, shall state the
               specific reasons for the decision and shall include reference to
               specific provisions of the Program on which the decision is
               based.  The Committee's decision on review shall be final.

                                       6
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                         LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
                         DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM

                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------

                                    Options

     Set out below are the general terms and conditions applicable to Options
pursuant to the Program.  Capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in
the Program.

1.   Flexible Stock Plan, Non-Qualified Options.  All Options shall be granted
     ------------------------------------------
under the Company's 1989 Flexible Stock Plan, as amended, and shall be subject
to all the terms and conditions of that plan.

     All Options shall be non-statutory options not entitled to special tax
treatment under (S)422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to date.

2.   Option Grant Dates.  Options shall be granted as of the date selected by
     ------------------
the Committee which date shall not be later than the last day on which an
election to defer Compensation could be made.

3.   Option Formula.  Unless the option agreement or Committee provides
     --------------
otherwise, the number of shares granted to any Participant shall be equal to the
nearest number of whole shares determined under the following formula:

                    COMPENSATION FOREGONE
                  ------------------------------------           x  1.176
                  FAIR MARKET VALUE - OPTION PRICE

     "Compensation Foregone" shall mean the Compensation which the Participant
elected to forgo plus the Lost Retirement Benefit Amount, if any.  "Fair Market
Value" shall mean the lowest per share closing price during December of the year
immediately preceding the year in which the deferred Compensation would have
been earned.

4.   Option Price.  The "Option Price" per share for each share covered by an
     ------------
Option shall be 20% of Fair Market Value.

5.   Limited Transferability.
     -----------------------

     5.1  Except as provided in Sections 5.2, 5.3 or unless otherwise allowed by
the Committee, no Option or interest therein may be transferred, assigned,
pledged or hypothecated by the Participant during his lifetime, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to execution, attachment or
similar process and shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant
only by him or, in the case of disability, his guardian or legal representative.

                                       7
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     5.2  A Participant may not transfer all or a part of the Options by way of
bona fide gift without the consent of the Committee.  The donee of a gift shall
hold the Options subject to all the terms and conditions of the Program and the
agreement evidencing the Options.  A gift to a minor shall not be permitted
except pursuant to the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act or similar legislation.
In the event a gift is made it will be recognized by the Company only if the
donor gives written notice to the Company of the gift, identifying the donee's
name and address.

     5.3  Options may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.

6.   Term of Options.  Options shall have a term of fifteen years from the Grant
     ---------------
Date.

7.   Vesting.  Options shall be vested in the Participant according to a
     -------
schedule provided for in each option agreement.  The vesting schedule shall
reasonably tie the vesting of options to the time Compensation which the
Participant elected to forego would have been earned.  Options not vested shall
terminate immediately at the time a Participant's employment with the Company
terminates for any reason.

8.   Exercise of Option.  Options shall be exercisable at the later of (i) 12
     ------------------
months after the Grant Date specified by the Committee in the Option grant or
(ii) the date the option vests.  However, despite any later specified date for
exercise, any vested Option shall become exercisable in full upon the death of
the Participant or his total and permanent disability.  No Option shall be
exercisable after the expiration of its term.

     An Option may be exercised only by delivering a written notice to the
Company accompanied by payment of the full option price for the shares
purchased.  Unless otherwise prohibited by the option agreement, such
consideration may be paid by delivery of shares of Common Stock (held for at
least 6 months) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.  Any such
shares shall be valued at the fair market value of such shares on the day
immediately preceding the date of exercise.  Options may be exercised in full or
in part for whole shares (no fractional shares will be issued) and any
exercisable portion not exercised may be later exercised subject to the
Expiration Date.  The written notice shall specify the number of shares the
Participant then desires to purchase.  No shares shall be delivered in
connection with the exercise of an Option unless all amounts required to satisfy
tax and any other required withholdings have been paid to the Company by or on
behalf of the Participant.

     If any Option has not been fully exercised on the last day of the term
("Expiration Date"), the unexercised portion of the option shall be deemed
exercised on such Expiration Date.  In such event, shares of Common Stock shall
not be issued until the option price and any other required amounts have been
paid.

     Upon the death of a Participant, his Options shall be exercisable by the
person or persons entitled to do so under his will or by written designation
filed with the Company, or, if the Participant shall fail to make testamentary
disposition of the Options or shall die intestate, by the Participant's legal
representative or representatives.  All Options must be exercised

                                       8
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prior to the end of the term. Any exercise by a representative shall be subject
to the provisions of the Program.

9.   Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options.  The Committee shall have
     ----------------------------------------------
the power to modify, extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant
of new Options in substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not
have the effect of altering or impairing any rights or obligations of any Option
previously granted without the consent of the Participant.

10.  No Shareholders' Rights.  A Participant shall have no rights as a
     -----------------------
shareholder with respect to the shares covered by his Options until the date of
the issuance to him of a stock certificate therefor, and no adjustment will be
made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the
date such certificate is issued.

                                       9<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.08

                     [LETTERHEAD OF HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES]

Patrick S. Pittard
President and Chief Executive Officer

      July 7,200O

      Mr. Piers Marmion
      Rectory Farm House
      Church Lane
      North Stoke
      Oxfordshire
      OX10 6BQ
      England

      Dear Piers:

      On behalf of Heidrick & Struggles International Inc ("the Company"), we
      are delighted to confirm our offer of employment to you.

      Detailed below are the principal terms and conditions of your employment.

      1.   Date of Commencement

           Your employment with the Company will commence as on August 1,2000.

      2.   Title and Reporting

           You would join our Company as Chief Operating Officer of our
           worldwide Heidrick & Struggles Executive Search division ("Heidrick &
           Struggles"), and will be based in London. You will be responsible to
           manage the Heidrick & Struggles offices in Europe, Middle East,
           Asia/Pacific and Africa regions. You will report to the Chief
           Executive Officer of Heidrick & Struggles.

           We will nominate you for election to our public board when there is a
           vacancy. In the meantime you will be an "advisory" member of the
           Board.

           You will also be a member of the "Office of the CEO".

           You will be elected to the Board of Directors of our LeadersOnline
           subsidiary.

           In the future you will be asked to participate in our Heidrick
           Ventures division.
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3.   Remuneration

3.1 Base Compensation

     Your salary will be at the minimum rate of (Pounds)428,400 per annum with
     (Pounds)35,700 payable in twelve equal monthly instalments at the end of
     each month. All numbers are "TCF" (Total Cost to the Firm) so that your
     salary will be reduced by the cost of the employer's National Insurance
     Contribution, the permanent health insurance, BUPA, life cover, etc.
     Currently salaries are reviewed annually in the last calendar quarter of
     the year or early in the first quarter of the year, so that your first
     salary review will be in late 2000 or early 2001.

3.2  Annual bonus

     You may receive an annual bonus. Bonuses are discretionary, except for the
     minimum bonuses, referred to below, and not earned until approved by the
     Compensation Committee and/or the Board of Directors of the Company, and
     all bonuses, including the minimum bonuses referred to below, will only be
     payable if you are in our employ on the bonus payment dates.

     For the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, you will receive minimum bonuses
     of: (Pounds)362,272, (Pounds)658,675, (Pounds)658,675, and (Pounds)658,675,
     respectively, payable when our bonuses are paid in December and the
     following March of each year. After the year 2003 you will be on our
     normal bonus program then in effect. All bonus numbers are TCF so that your
     bonuses will be reduced by the employer's National Insurance Contributions.

     Your total cash compensation will be subject to the Heidrick & Struggles
     International, Inc. GlobalShare Program. As such, any bonus you receive may
     be partially paid in equity in accordance with the GlobalShare Program.

3.3 Loans

     (A) Sign-on loan:
         ------------

     Within 30 days following your employment start date, the Company will loan
     you (Pounds)658,675 to be evidenced by a noninterest bearing Promissory
     Note ("Note") payable on January 31,2005, except that if you cease to be in
     the Company's employ then the entire principal balance of the Note then
     remaining due shall, without demand or notice of any kind, be and become
     immediately due and payable unless your employment is terminated by the
     Company without cause. The Note will be forgiven as follows if you are in
     the Company's employ (or have been terminated by the Company without cause)
     on the following forgiveness dates: (Pounds)65,868 on December 31, 2000,
     (Pounds)131,735 on December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003,
     December 31, 2004 and (Pounds) 65,867 on January 31,2005.
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                                  Page 3 of 9
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     You have agreed to purchase a minimum of (Pounds) 329,338 of the Company's
     Common stock on the open market within 30 days following your receipt of
     the loan proceeds referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, and
     you agree not to sell this stock for a period of at least two (2) years
     from the date of purchase.

     (B) Year 2001 loan:
         --------------

     During the month of June 2001, provided you are then in our employ, the
     Company will loan you (Pounds)658,675 to be evidenced by a noninterest
     bearing Promissory Note ("Note") payable on January 15, 2005, except that
     if you cease to be in the Company's employ then the entire principal
     balance of the Note then remaining due shall, without demand or notice of
     any kind, be and become immediately due and payable unless your employment
     is terminated by the Company without cause. The Note will be forgiven as
     follows if you are in the Company's employ (or have been terminated by the
     Company without cause) on the following forgiveness dates: (Pounds)65,868
     on December 31, 2001, (Pounds)131,735 on December 31, 2002, December 31,
     2003 and December 31, 2004, and (Pounds)197,602 on January 31, 2005.

     The income arising from the loan forgiveness in this section 3.3 is TCF so
     that you will be required to pay to the Company the employer's National
     Insurance Contributions and personal income tax withholding attributable to
     the forgiveness income when due. The Company is authorized to withhold
     these amounts from your cash bonus(s).

3.4 Other financial incentives

     You will receive the following equity incentives within 30 days following
     your employment start date all of which will be issued at fair market value
     on the date of issuance:

     (a)  145,000 of Company stock options with a three-year cliff vesting
          schedule and a four-year term;

     (b)  50,000 Restricted Stock Units with a three-year cliff vesting
          schedule;

     (c)  265,000 LeadersOnline stock options with the standard LeadersOnline
          vesting schedule.

     If a Web-based business which is under your leadership is taken public by
     our H&S Ventures division, then you will receive either or a combination of
     founder's shares or stock options equal to a minimum of 1% of such entity.

4.   Equity Participation

     You will be entitled to participate, in the Heidrick & Struggles
     International, Inc. GlobalShare equity programs based upon your performance
     and attainment
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                                  Page 4 of 9
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     of your goals and objectives. Grants under these programs are subject to
     approval by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of Heidrick &
     Struggles International, Inc. You will sign our Acquired Rights Waiver and
     Data Protection Waiver forms on or before your first day of employment.

5.   Exclusivity of Services

     While entering the present agreement you undertake that you have no
     obligation resulting from any other employment or business agreement or
     from any former employer which could limit your ability to perform this
     agreement in the best interest of the Company.

     You are required to devote your whole time, attention and abilities to the
     business and interests of the Company. You may not engage or be
     interested whether directly or indirectly in any trade or business other
     than that of the Company during the continuance of your employment with us,
     except with the Company's written consent.

     During your employment with the Company, you will not undertake any
     business activity competitive with Heidrick & Struggles' business either
     individually or with any other employees or representatives of the Company.

     Should you be made an offer of employment with any firm or Company
     competing with, or intending to compete with, the business of the Company
     you agree to immediately furnish us with any information that may
     reasonably be of assistance to the Company in acting promptly to protect
     its relationships.

6.   Expenses

     Business expenses, including without limitation, your business transport
     costs, should in all cases, be supported by the appropriate invoices and
     documentation. Expenses claims are to be submitted for approval monthly.

7.   Holiday

     You will be entitled to 25 days' holiday in each calendar year in addition
     to the Bank and Public holidays. Such holiday entitlement will accrue on a
     monthly basis in equal proportions and on cessation of your employment
     hereunder for whatsoever reason, you will be entitled to receive only such
     number of days holiday as has accrued to the effective date of termination,
     less any period of holiday already taken during the year.

8.   Pension

     We will contribute to your own Inland Revenue approved personal pension
     plan up to the maximum cap allowable under Inland Revenue rules.

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                                  Page 5 of 9
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9.   Life Insurance and Permanent Health Insurance.

9.1 In General

     You will be eligible to join our Company scheme which currently provides
     life insurance cover of four times basic salary subject to the Plan's rules
     together with permanent health insurance including earnings related sick
     pay in case of long term sickness and disability and this may involve you
     in having a medical.

     You will be eligible to become a member of the Company scheme providing
     medical insurance cover for yourself and your family through BUPA. The
     subscriptions are currently paid by the Company and this represents a
     taxable benefit to you.

     The terms of the Company's insurance schemes shall be at the Company's
     discretion and the schemes are subject to modification and / or termination
     at the Company's discretion.

     All payments under the permanent health insurance scheme ("PHI Scheme")
     will be subject to such deductions as may be required by law and also a sum
     equivalent to any employer's national insurance contributions which are
     payable by the Company in respect of any payment under the PHI Scheme and
     which are not reimbursed by the insurer under the PHI Scheme. Where
     payments are made under the PHI Scheme, all other benefits provided to or
     in respect of you by the Company will cease immediately (if they have not
     done so already) except those benefits for which the Company receives, from
     the insurer under the PHI Scheme, reimbursement in full of the total cost
     to the Company of the benefit.

9.2 Incapacity

     You shall continue to be paid during absence due to incapacity (such
     payment to be inclusive of any statutory sick pay or social security
     benefits to which you may be entitled) for a total of up to 28 days in any
     one year of employment under this agreement.

     Thereafter you shall continue to be paid salary only at the discretion of
     the Company provided that if such absence shall aggregate in all 26 weeks
     in any 52 consecutive weeks the Company may terminate your employment.

     Termination on grounds of ill health shall not be permitted if you are
     either:

     (a)  receiving benefit under a permanent health insurance scheme and a
          payment of such benefits depends on the you remaining an employee; or

     (b)  you reasonably expect to receive benefits under such a scheme within
          the next 6 months.
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                                  Page 6 of 9
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     [For the avoidance of doubt if the insurance company underwriting the
     Company's health insurance scheme makes a capricious or unreasonable
     decision in refusing or withholding the payment of benefits then
     termination of your employment on grounds of ill health may only occur with
     mutual consent. The Company agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
     persuade the insurer to provide the benefits to you.]

     If the incapacity shall be or appear to be occasioned by actionable
     negligence of a third party in respect of which damages are or may be
     recoverable the Executive shall immediately notify the Company of that fact
     and of any claim compromise settlement or judgement made or awarded in
     connection with it and shall give to the Company all particulars the
     Company may reasonably require and shall if required by the Company refund
     to the Company that part of any damages recovered relating to loss of
     earnings for the period of the incapacity as the Company may reasonably
     determine provided that the amount to be refunded shall not exceed the
     amount of damages or compensation recovered by you less any costs borne by
     you in connection with the recovery of such damages or compensation and
     shall not exceed the total remuneration paid to you by way of salary in
     respect of the period of the incapacity.

10.  Confidentiality

     Whilst employed by Heidrick & Struggles you should not:

     (i) Take advantage of your position to discuss with any of the Company's
     employees the present operation, formation of or future operations of any
     business likely to compete with the Company with the intention of
     persuading such employees as to opportunities for their possible future
     employment by any such business.

     (ii) Discuss with any existing or potential clients of the Company present
     or future availability or provision of services from a business competing
     with or intended to compete with the Company save with the Company's
     express consent.

11.  Disclosure and Copyright, Inventions, Designs and other Intellectual
     Property

11.1 Disclosure

     You will keep strictly confidential any information you acquire in the
     course of your employment about the business of the Company or the business
     of its clients and prospective clients.

     In the event of improper use or disclosure of information the Company
     reserves the right to take disciplinary or other appropriate action.
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                                  Pace 7 of 9
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       On or before your first day of employment you will sign our Declaration
       Regarding Propriety Information Agreement.

11.2 Copyright, Inventions, Designs and other Intellectual Property

       In this section 11.2, the term "Intellectual Property" means works in
       which copyright may subsist (including articles, publications, databases,
       computer software and preparatory and design materials therefore), all
       other database rights, inventions (whether patentable or not, and whether
       or not patent protection has been applied for or granted), improvements,
       developments, discoveries, proprietary information, trade marks, trade
       names, logos, art work, slogans, know-how, processes, designs (whether or
       not registrable and whether or not design rights subsist in them),
       utility models, and all works protected by rights or forms of protection
       of a similar nature or having equivalent effect anywhere in the world.

       Subject to the provisions of the Patents Act 1977, if at any time in the
       course of or in connection with your employment under this agreement you
       make or discover or participate in the making or discovery of any
       Intellectual Property directly or indirectly relating to, or capable of
       being used in, the business carried on by the Company, full details of
       the Intellectual Property shall immediately be disclosed in writing by
       you to the Company and the Intellectual Property shall be the absolute
       property of the Company.

       At the request and expense of the Company, you shall give and supply all
       such information, data, drawings and assistance as may be necessary, or
       in the opinion of the Company desirable, to enable the Company to exploit
       the Intellectual Property to the best advantage, and shall execute all
       documents and do all things which may be necessary, or in the opinion of
       the Company desirable, for obtaining patent or other protection for the
       Intellectual Property in such parts of the world as may be specified by
       the Company and for vesting the same in the Company or as it may direct.

12.    Termination of employment

       Your employment will be for a term of four years and six months
       continuing thereafter until it is terminated by either party giving to
       the other not less than six months notice in writing.

       Once notice of termination has been given by either party then the
       Company will be under no obligation to provide work for you and may
       exclude you from the premises of the Company (payment in lieu/garden
       leave"), provided that your salary and all other contractual benefits
       shall continue to be payable through the notice period subject to any
       other condition of your employment.

       If the Company terminates your employment for Cause all compensation
       stops and the Notes representing sign-on loans will become immediately
       due and payable to the extent not already forgiven.
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                                  Page 8 of 9
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     If you are terminated by the Company without Cause, then all of the
     Company's obligation to pay your TCF salary, minimum bonuses, and loan
     forgiveness will continue through the initial four year six month term of
     this employment agreement; provided however, to the extent you obtain
     alternative employment, the remuneration you receive will reduce the amount
     payable to you by the Company. (Alternative compensation must be
     reasonable.)

     For purposes of this clause 12, and this Agreement generally, "Cause" shall
     mean:

     (a)  Fraud, or the embezzlement of misappropriation of funds or property of
          the Company or any of its affiliates by the employee, the conviction
          of, or the entrance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the
          employee to a felony, or a crime involving moral turpitude;

     (b)  Neglect, misconduct or wilful malfeasance which is materially
          injurious to the Company or any of its affiliates;

     (c)  Wilful failure or refusal to perform the employee's duties, or a
          wilful, material breach of contract.

     In the event that your employment is terminated due to your death,
     disability or ill health, your estate or your beneficiaries, as the case
     may be, shall be entitled to receive your salary through the date of
     termination, to the extent not theretofore paid.

13.  Jurisdiction

     This agreement shall be governed by English Law and the English courts
     shall have exclusive jurisdiction in dealing with any disputes arising out
     of the employment.

14.  Post Termination Restrictions

     You undertake that (except without the prior written consent of the
     Company) you wil1 not:

     .  for a period of twelve months following termination of employment (less
        any period for which you are placed on "garden leave"), directly or
        indirectly induce or seek to induce or persuade any person employed by
        the Company or any associated Company and with whom, you have had
        significant personal dealings during the course of your employment to
        leave the employ of the Company or any associated Company to join or
        provide services to any other firm, company or other organisation,
        whether as a director, principal, employee, consultant, agent or in any
        other capacity whatsoever;
<PAGE>

                                  Page 9 of 9
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     .    for a period of twelve months following termination of employment
          (less any period for which you are placed on "garden leave") directly
          or indirectly solicit or induce away in competition with the Company
          the custom of any person, firm, company or other organisation
          whatsoever who in the year immediately preceding the date of
          termination was a client or candidate of the Company or Associated
          Company and with whom you had significant personal dealings on behalf
          of the Company;

     .    for a period of twelve months after termination of employment (less
          any period for which you are placed on "garden leave"), act or be
          engaged in the provision of executive recruitment services, directly
          or indirectly for a business which shall be in competition with the
          business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates,
          including, without limitation, LeadersOnline.

15.  Final Provisions.

     The present contract comprises all agreements between you and Heidrick &
     Struggles International, Inc. in relation to the employment relationship.
     Any modification to this contract shall require a written form.

     If any provisions of this contract shall be or become invalid or are
     unenforceable the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of
     the contract shall remain unaffected. The parties shall agree on a valid
     provision which as closely as possible achieves the economic effect of the
     invalid or unenforceable provision. The same shall apply in case of
     incompleteness of the contract.

With every good wish.

Yours sincerely,

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL INC.

/s/ Patrick S. Pittard
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick S. Pittard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

I hereby accept the terms and conditions of employment as outline above

Signed: /s/ Piers Marmion                     Date: 07/07/00
        ------------------------------------        --------------------
        Piers Marmion

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