Russell Reynolds Associates Names Head of Greater China
February 8, 2024 – Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has appointed Sherman Leung as the head of Greater China practice, taking over the leadership role from Grace Cheng to lead the business growth and operations in China. “With over 20 years of experience, Sherman Leung possesses extraordinary vision and leadership in market expansion and client success,” said Ms. Cheng, non-executive chairman of Russell Reynolds Associates Greater China. “His appointment indicates a significant step to the firm’s development in China. I believe that under his leadership, the firm will effectively execute our strategy in the Chinese market and create sustainable value for clients.”
Mr. Leung brings his global network and consulting experience to the firm and serves clients with advisory services. He will continue to serve the firm as non-executive chairman of Greater China.
“I am honored to lead the team to continue our success in China as a trusted leadership expert,” said Mr. Leung. “We’ll fulfill our commitment to solve leadership challenges from a global perspective and steadily propel our footprint in China. This will reshape our growth and make a positive impact as a leadership advisory firm. Further, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Grace Cheng for her countless contributions over the past 18 years, laying the foundation for the firm’s development in China.”
Before joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Mr. Leung served at global consulting firm EY where he was the managing partner and leader of Greater China financial services consulting covering strategy, transformation, digital and technology, regulatory and compliance, risk management, and actuarial advisory. Before that, he also held different roles across top-tier financial institutions.
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Its 520-plus consultants in 47 offices work with public, private, and non-profit organizations across all industries and regions. The firm also conducts in-depth organizational culture assessment and measures the cultural fit of key leadership and candidates in the following areas: arts and culture, global development, higher education, non-profit health and human services, public sector, social justice and advocacy, as well as trade and professional associations.
Related: Russell Reynolds Associates Names Chief People Officer
The firm provides executive search services across all areas of the global media, entertainment, technology, and athletics markets. The firm’s consultants bring the experience and ability to assess competencies and cultural fit of board members, CEOs, senior functional leadership and players, with expertise in professional sports teams and leagues (CEOs, general managers, coaches and players); digital, media and entertainment; and technology-based start-ups.
Recent Acquisition
In November, Russell Reynolds acquired Savage Partners, a boutique executive search firm that serves growth equity and private equity-backed software companies across North America. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Intrepid Investment Bankers acted as the strategic advisor to Russell Reynolds Associates in the transaction. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, a Connecticut-based human capital M&A advisory firm, served as the strategic advisor to Savage Partners. “Savage Partners is a trophy property and their acquisition by Russell Reynolds Associates will be beneficial to clients across the tech space as the sector continues to evolve with its insatiable demand for senior-level leadership talent,” said Scott A. Scanlon, CEO of Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn.
Russell Reynolds Associates Acquires Kilberry
The addition of CEO Richard Davis and his 10-member leadership advisory team based in Toronto is expected to fortify RRA’s already strong capabilities in this area and help drive growth throughout the Canadian market.
“Bringing Savage Partners on board will further deepen and enhance Russell Reynolds Associates’ core leadership advisory work and capabilities in growth-oriented technology companies,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. “Savage Partners’ colleagues bring unparalleled industry expertise, and under Todd Savage’s leadership, have established themselves as a powerhouse team. We look forward to combining our strengths and assets to provide industry-leading leadership and succession planning guidance.”
Savage Partners, founded in 2005, works with executives and investors across the technology industry. The Savage partners team will join Russell Reynolds’ Boston and Miami offices. Since co-founding the firm, Mr. Savage has completed over 200 senior executive searches for middle market, private equity-backed technology firms in infrastructure software, SaaS, eCommerce, consumer internet, and the mobile space. Previously, he worked for executive search firms Heidrick & Struggles and Ramsey Beirne Associates. Mr. Savage also built the internal recruiting function at Time Warner.
Related: Russell Reynolds Associates Adds Veteran Search Consultants
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
