Russell Reynolds Associates Names European Regional Co-Heads

April 20, 2018 – Russell Reynolds Associates has named Patrick Johnson and Matthias Oberholzer as regional co-heads for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, James Roome will now lead the U.K. office. “This leadership team is well-positioned to help clients navigate global uncertainty and the potential impact of the Brexit transition in the region,” said the firm.
“As leaders with significant experience in guiding boards at client organizations, Matthias, Patrick and James each understand the challenges that companies face during times of economic and political uncertainty,” said Clarke Murphy, CEO. “They form a strong leadership team in Europe, adding value through their unique insights and significant experience in working with multinational companies.”
Mr. Johnson is a London-based member of the firm’s board practice and the global non-profit practice. With more than 20 years of executive search experience, both in the U.K. and internationally, he has advised on a wide variety of senior executive, chairman and non-executive director positions across the civil service, charities, regulators, healthcare, academia and the wider public sector, as well as undertaking chairman and non-executive director roles in the private sector. Mr. Johnson previously worked within PA Consulting Group’s human resources practice, after a period in the oil industry.
Located in Zurich, Dr. Oberholzer also leads Russell Reynolds’ Swiss office and is the co-head of the firm’s insurance practice. He focuses on assignments for insurance, banking and private equity clients. His recent assignments within the financial services sector include working closely with global insurance companies to find a range of top leaders, including a global CEO, CHRO, CMO, COO, head of strategy as well as regional CEOs and country CEOs. Dr. Oberholzer also supported the appointment of a head of investment banking for Switzerland for a European financial services provider and various CEO and managing director-level positions for Swiss-based private banks. He was previously with McKinsey & Co. Among his academic degrees, Dr. Oberholzer holds a doctorate in insurance economics from the University of Basel.
Mr. Roome also serves on the firm’s global executive committee and previously co-led the technology practice. He is a core member of the firm’s board and digital practices. In addition, Mr. Roome is vice chair of the Prince’s Trust Technology Leadership Group, supporting disadvantaged young people through partnerships with leading technology companies. He was previously with Ernst and Young.
These appointments come on the heels of the firm’s 2017 acquisition of specialty board consultancy the Zygos Partnership. “Zygos and Russell Reynolds are a natural fit with shared values and a relentless passion for serving clients,” said Mr. Murphy. “This combination complements our strategy to expand our existing relationships in the board advisory and C-suite space. With board performance and accountability under intense scrutiny, our clients need help with governance and strategy, as well as with finding global talent.”
Mr. Murphy said the acquisition is an important step in strengthening the firm’s position in a key area of its board advisory service. “We will add exceptional depth of experience in guiding boards around multiyear succession planning, coupled with strong sector insights provided by the wider firm,” he said.
Recent Expansion
Russell Reynolds Associates has experienced a number of new hires over the past year. Here’s a look at some key additions to the firm from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Russell Reynolds Associates has added Hoda Tahoun to its consumer practice as a leader of the leisure and hospitality team. Based in Miami, Ms. Tahoun’s clients range from global hotel companies, cruise companies, private equity firms, development firms, travel businesses, entertainment companies and sovereign wealth funds.
Just recently, Russell Reynolds Associates expanded with the addition of Lauren Shin as a member of its global consumer team. Based in New York, Ms. Shin leads the luxury, fashion and beauty teams in North America within the firm’s omni-channel retail and luxury practice. She works across a broad range of consumer verticals, including fashion, beauty, home, food and beverage …
Russell Reynolds added former AOL HR executive Stephanie Angelini as a member of its human resources officers practice. She is based in New York. In her new role, Ms. Angelini is leveraging her extensive human resources strategy experience to advise clients across a range of industries, with particular expertise recruiting HR leadership for the financial services and tech areas.
Former Spencer Stuart recruiter Charles Falcone recently took over as the new leader of Russell Reynolds’ U.S. education practice, which includes higher learning, academic medicine and digital education. He also became a member of the firm’s healthcare services team. Based in Chicago, Mr. Falcone specializes in executive search and succession planning for …
Russell Reynolds named Mary-Caroline Tillman as co-leader of its global financial services practice. Based in New York, she works closely with chairpersons, chief executive officers and senior leadership teams in the financial services industry. Ms. Tillman co-leads the practice with Amanda Foster, who is based in London.
Russell Reynolds named Peter L. O’Brien as the region head for Asia Pacific. He is 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.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media