Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Welcomes Bennett Jones as Presenting Partner

TORONTO, March 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Retained executive search firm The Caldwell Partners International Inc. (TSX: CWL) is delighted to announce that international law firm Bennett Jones will be the Presenting Partner of Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Award Program, joining national sponsors National Post and BNN.

Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Award program honours executives in Canadian business who have exemplified integrity, insisted upon excellence, earned trust and built globally competitive organizations. The award program was founded in 1990 by Caldwell Partners and is today one of Canada's most prestigious business awards.

"Bennett Jones' corporate goals, philosophy and dedication to excellence in the international marketplace align perfectly with the core values of the CEO of the Year program, making them a most fitting and strategic partner," said John N. Wallace, chief executive officer of Caldwell Partners. "The Company has a strong commitment to giving back to the communities in which they operate, which is a key component in the award and one that all stakeholders of this program greatly value."

Founded in 1922, Bennett Jones is an international law firm practising across more than 50 industries and areas of law from offices in Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Beijing. For the 10th consecutive year, they have been ranked among the best employers in Canada by AON Hewitt for Maclean's and Queen's University School of Business.

"Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year has been the premier recognition for leaders in Canadian business for more than 21 years. We are very proud of the program's history and truly excited to work with Bennett Jones on new initiatives and ways to further enrich the program," Wallace continued. "We welcome Bennett Jones Chairman and CEO Hugh MacKinnon as an important member of our Advisory Board, and look forward to the valuable knowledge and unique perspective he will bring to our annual selection meeting."

Comprising more than 20 distinguished business leaders from across Canada, the award program's independent Advisory Board meets annually to select the honouree based on five key criteria:

Vision and Leadership
Corporate Performance
Global Competitiveness
Innovation
Social Responsibility

Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year established the Futures Fund Scholarship for outstanding leadership to recognize and mentor 10 young Canadian university business students each year who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their academic and extra-curricular initiatives. The award program provides these exceptional and deserving students with $5000 grants to further their education ambitions.

"Bennett Jones is honoured to be associated with this prestigious award, which not only recognizes today's outstanding Canadian business leaders, but also supports the next generation with its student scholarship program," commented Hugh McKinnon, chairman and chief executive officer of Bennett Jones.

About Bennett Jones
Bennett Jones is home to more than 360 lawyers and business advisors and 495 staff in six offices - Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, and a representative office in Beijing. Their professional practice encompasses virtually every sector of business, industry and government. Operating as an integrated unit across their geographic locations, their business practice is to assign lawyers to work on client files who have the skills and experience that best meet clients' needs.

About Caldwell Partners
Caldwell Partners is one of North America's premier providers of executive search and has been for more than 40 years. As one of the region's most trusted advisors in executive search, the firm has a sterling reputation built on successful searches for boards, chief and senior executives, and selected functional experts. With offices and partners across North America, and a strategic presence in London and Hong Kong, the firm takes pride in delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise to its clients.

The Caldwell Partners' Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL). Please visit our website at www.caldwellpartners.com for further information.

on Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year, please contact:

Michelle Jursa
Caldwell Partners
[email protected]
[phone]