WittKieffer Opens Office in Singapore
June 22, 2020 – Executive search firm WittKieffer has expanded into the Asia-Pacific market with the opening of an office in Singapore. Headed by managing director Anissa Low, the Singapore office will allow WittKieffer to operate on a global scale, to source talent across continents and serve clients in healthcare, education, and life sciences.
WittKieffer selected Singapore as the regional hub for its Asia-Pacific services as part of its commitment to support multinational clients with comprehensive access to the global talent pool. “Our goal in opening a Singapore office is twofold—to better serve our clients with access to a truly exceptional, global pool of candidates, and to reach clients where they are doing business and needing talent,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer.
“Under the leadership of Anissa Low, WittKieffer’s clients will receive the focused attention and exceptional service they expect of our firm along with localized insights needed to remain competitive in a tight executive talent market,” WittKieffer said.
Ms. Low joined WittKieffer to lead the Singapore office, where she will oversee all operations in Southeast Asia. “Her depth of expertise in the Asian marketplace–nearly 15 years of executive search experience in healthcare and life sciences–will benefit clients seeking comprehensive, strategic approaches to securing executive talent.
“Anissa has an exceptional track record of identifying leaders who thrive in challenging, high-risk environments, qualities many organizations in healthcare, life sciences and education need when addressing emerging opportunities and challenges in their industries,” said Morten Nielsen, global managing partner of WittKieffer’s life sciences practice.
Prior to WittKieffer, Ms. Low served as the director of healthcare & life sciences, consumer & industrial for global executive recruiting firm Ethos BeathChapman. Prior to that, she held several executive recruiting roles in which she provided end-to-end service to clients including the development of position specifications, competency- and behavior-based interviewing, candidate presentation, reference checking and salary negotiation.
Seasoned Search Consultants
WittKieffer, based in Oak Brook, IL, assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives and other leaders.
In May, WittKieffer appointed James King as leader of its board services practice. In addition to his new role, Mr. King serves as a senior partner and the firm’s chief quality officer, a board member and member of its diversity council. “Today’s business landscape has been severely altered as a result of COVID-19, leaving even the most seasoned boards questioning traditional governance practices and wondering if their members have the skills and abilities to thrive in an uncertain future,” WittKieffer said. “Mr. King’s versatility and experience make him well-equipped to drive this specialty area by providing boards with the right member recruiting and leadership solutions to steer their organization through this time of immense transformation.”
“Now more than ever, governing boards must recruit and develop strong leaders to overcome complex challenges, beginning with managing the impacts and after-effects of COVID-19,” said Mr. Chastain. “I’m confident that the leadership of Jim King, coupled with the depth of our firm’s experience, will help boards identify leaders capable of making an immediate impact and bringing about future success even in the most difficult of times.”
WittKieffer also recently added former Stony Brook University vice president Greg Duyck as a principal in its education practice. “We are very excited to bring Greg’s energy and success in executive recruitment to WittKieffer,” said Zachary Smith, managing partner of WittKieffer’s education practice. “His administrative experience with colleges and universities as well as a broad mix of other organizations gives him unique insight into today’s executive talent challenges. He will serve the evolving needs of our clients well and be an integral part of our expanding consulting team.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media