CHICAGO—Executive search firm DHR International, headquartered here, has agreed in principle on non-binding terms to acquire selected assets of CTPartners Executive Search Inc. Deal terms were not disclosed; the announcement comes four months after  DHR first made an unsolicited bid for New York City-based CTPartners.

“We're very excited about welcoming CTPartners employees and clients to DHR,” says DHR CEO Geoffrey Hoffmann. “This process has been performed with extensive diligence and more than 200 phone calls between employees of both firms.” The two companies entered a period of exclusive negotiations in May.

Hoffmann adds that “The value system and culture of DHR aligns well with those of CTPartners employees, which is always a critical component to a successful integration. Through our diligence, it became abundantly clear that the combined organization will be better able to serve clients in the unique culture that has propelled the success of both companies for so many years: client service, collaboration, an entrepreneurial and team-based approach with a global reach.”

Founded in 1989 by David Hoffman, DHR had expanded to 25 US offices by 2013 and 52 offices globally by 2013. The pending deal for CTPartners' assets will add 17 offices and 250 employees worldwide.