Placement in a Global Consulting Firm – Appointing a Regional Managing Partner to Lead AI & Digital Transformation Across APAC
The Challenge
A global consulting firm was looking to appoint a Regional Managing Partner, based in Singapore, to lead the continued growth of its AI and Digital Transformation practice across Asia Pacific.
This was one of the firm’s most strategic leadership appointments in the region. The successful executive would be responsible for shaping the regional growth strategy, leading senior Partners across multiple countries, strengthening C suite relationships and significantly expanding both consulting revenue and strategic transformation programmes.
The challenge was finding an individual with the right balance of capabilities. The client required someone with exceptional commercial credentials, a proven consulting background and deep expertise in AI, digital transformation and technology enabled business change. Just as importantly, they needed someone who could influence senior leaders across multiple countries without relying on direct reporting lines.
The market for this calibre of executive was extremely limited, with many of the strongest candidates firmly established within competitor consulting firms and not actively considering a move.
Our Approach
Leveraging our extensive network across the global consulting market, we identified and engaged senior leaders from leading strategy and technology consulting organisations throughout Asia Pacific.
Our assessment extended well beyond commercial performance and technical expertise. We evaluated leadership style, regional influence, executive presence, strategic thinking and the ability to build alignment across diverse markets with differing levels of maturity and growth priorities.
Following a comprehensive international search and assessment process, we secured a highly accomplished consulting leader with a proven track record of scaling consulting businesses, developing high performing leadership teams and delivering significant commercial growth across the region.
The Outcome
The successful appointment strengthened the firm’s regional leadership team with an executive capable of accelerating growth across its AI and Digital Transformation practice.
Bringing deep consulting experience, exceptional commercial capability and a strong understanding of enterprise transformation, the Managing Partner was well positioned to strengthen client relationships, expand market presence and support the firm’s long term ambitions across Asia Pacific.
Beyond the Placement
Leading a single country business and leading an entire region require very different leadership capabilities.
Whilst the executive had built an outstanding reputation in their home market, the new role required influencing Managing Partners and leadership teams across multiple countries, each with different cultures, priorities, levels of market maturity and ways of operating. Success depended less on direct leadership and more on building alignment, influence and trust across the region.
As part of our Search & Succeed™ methodology, one of our experienced executive coaches partnered with the Managing Partner throughout the critical onboarding period. Together, they focused on executive communication, influencing without authority, stakeholder mapping and building relationships across multiple country leadership teams. Particular attention was given to understanding cultural differences, adapting communication styles and establishing a consistent leadership approach across the region.
This structured support enabled the executive to integrate rapidly, build credibility with regional leadership teams and accelerate strategic decision making, allowing them to create meaningful impact from the outset.
The Value We Delivered
The most successful regional leaders are not simply exceptional operators within one market. They are executives who can unite diverse leadership teams behind a common vision, navigate cultural complexity and create sustained growth across multiple countries.
By combining deep market intelligence, an extensive consulting network and structured post placement integration, we helped our client secure a Regional Managing Partner who was equipped not only to lead a complex APAC business, but to unite it behind a shared vision for growth and transformation.
Delivered by Rob Glass, Managing Partner
