Russell Reynolds Associates appoints new region head

Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, named Peter L. O'Brien as region head for Asia Pacific.In this role, O'Brien will be responsible for managing the firm's business across the region and driving growth in key markets, including China, India, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.He is also a member of the firm's Global Board & CEO Advisory Group. Previously, he led the Global Supply Chain Practice as well as the Global Industrial Services & Infrastructure Sector for the firm, and is continuing as a mentor for both.O'Brien brings over 25 years of leadership experience, living and working in Asia and Europe. He spent the past 10 years in the leadership and search advisory industry, where he advises many Boards and CEOs on corporate governance, board effectiveness, succession planning, executive development and leadership search and transformation. He consults both listed and private companies across a wide range of industry sectors to develop highly effective leadership teams internationally."The leadership talent market across Asia Pacific is at a unique crossroads. Given the regulatory and business needs for enhanced Board effectiveness, succession planning and transformative C-suites across the region, we have seen a 20% to 30% increase in demand for local and regional leaders over the past year. Asian leaders are returning to their local markets which is having a significant impact in the global expansion of Asian companies," said O'Brien. "In response to this, we are strengthening our regional presence and advancing our scientific psychometrics framework to enable sharper, more predictive insights to help our clients build high performing teams."O'Brien takes over from Peter Drummond-Hay, who moved back to New York in March 2017.