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Singapore is the place where many Asia-Pacific leadership decisions get made, which is why companies hiring a CEO, CFO, managing director or board member here often turn to a specialist rather than a job ad. Executive search firms approach and assess senior candidates who are not actively looking, manage confidentiality, and advise on succession and leadership fit across ASEAN and beyond. This guide covers 10 executive search firms in Singapore, from global names such as Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart and Egon Zehnder to regional specialists such as Kerry Consulting, so you can compare their focus areas and shortlist the right partner for your next senior hire.
Top 10 Executive Search Firms in Singapore to Know
1. Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is one of the world's best-known executive search and organisational advisory firms, and its Singapore office handles senior searches across ASEAN. The firm was the first major global search firm to operate in Asia Pacific, opening in Tokyo in 1973, and its Singapore consultants cover board, CEO and other C-level mandates in sectors such as consumer, financial services and technology. Its Singapore team also includes specialists in Asian family-owned conglomerates and cross-border appointments across ASEAN, Greater China and Japan. Korn Ferry combines executive search with leadership advisory and succession planning, making it a strong fit for large organisations that want search and talent strategy from one partner.
2. Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart is a privately held leadership advisory and search firm, founded in 1956, with more than 70 offices worldwide and a Singapore office in Raffles Place. The firm focuses on senior-level executive search, board recruitment, CEO succession and leadership assessment. Its Singapore credentials include being retained by Singapore Exchange to lead its CEO search in 2015, and it publishes a Singapore Board Index that tracks board composition and diversity among local companies. This board-level knowledge makes Spencer Stuart a natural choice for listed companies and organisations facing a CEO transition.
3. Egon Zehnder
Egon Zehnder opened its Singapore office in 1981, and it remains one of the firm's principal hubs in Asia Pacific. The office has built deep relationships with governments, publicly listed companies and family-owned businesses across financial services, healthcare, technology and consumer sectors. Beyond C-level and board searches, Egon Zehnder's Singapore team advises on senior executive assessment and development, board effectiveness and organisational culture. Companies that want leadership assessment and board advisory alongside recruitment will find its integrated approach particularly useful.
4. Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles describes itself as having pioneered the executive search profession more than 70 years ago, and its Singapore office serves clients across the ASEAN region. The firm recruits for CEO, board and functional C-suite roles, including finance, technology, HR, legal and supply chain officers. It also offers leadership consulting such as CEO succession, leadership assessment, board effectiveness and on-demand interim talent. Its Singapore practice has a visible consumer-markets presence, supported by partners who have relocated to the city to serve growing ASEAN demand.
5. Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm known for CEO succession, board recruitment and leadership assessment. Its Singapore office is led by Euan Kenworthy, who became country manager in January 2025 and has worked with boards and senior management for more than 15 years. The office is also home to the firm's Asia-Pacific Healthcare Practice, led by Grace Lu following her return to Singapore in September 2025. Organisations looking for sector depth in areas such as private capital, infrastructure or healthcare alongside board-level advisory should have Russell Reynolds on their shortlist.
6. Odgers
Odgers, formerly known as Odgers Berndtson, was founded in 1965 and offers executive search, interim leadership and leadership advisory through more than 60 offices worldwide. In August 2025 it opened a new Singapore office at Level 27, Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place, marking its long-term commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. The firm serves commercial, public and not-for-profit organisations across more than 50 sectors, and its Singapore team has been running regional events for CFO, CHRO and CEO audiences. Odgers suits organisations that want a broad senior-management search partner with a global network and an active local presence.
7. Boyden
Boyden is a global talent and leadership advisory firm offering executive search, interim management and leadership consulting, and it has been ranked in Forbes' list of America's best executive recruiting firms. Its Singapore presence grew significantly in 2020 when Stones International joined the network, adding teams in Singapore, Hong Kong and China. The Singapore office has since added partners with sector expertise, including aerospace, aviation and defence, and Boyden reported 14 offices across Asia Pacific as of 2023. Companies hiring C-suite, board-level and senior management talent, particularly in industrial, logistics and technology sectors, can draw on this regional depth.
8. Stanton Chase
Stanton Chase is a global retained executive search firm with more than 70 offices in 45 countries, and its Singapore office, located at Centennial Tower on Temasek Avenue, acts as a hub for Southeast Asia. The firm recruits CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, managing directors and country heads for clients hiring across Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and wider ASEAN. It works on a retained basis only and says it stays involved through onboarding, and it reports that about 70 percent of its clients return for another search. Industries served include natural resources and energy, industrial, consumer products and services, and government, education and non-profit.
9. Amrop
Amrop, established in 1977, is a global executive search and leadership advisory partnership with more than 60 offices across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA. In January 2026 it announced new offices in Singapore and Malaysia, led by Managing Partner Jimmy Chen, bringing its Asia-Pacific footprint to 10 offices. The Singapore team offers executive search, board advisory and leadership assessment, with a focus on mid-to-large enterprises and family-owned businesses headquartered in Singapore and Malaysia. Clients expanding into or out of ASEAN can also tap the wider Amrop partner network spanning roughly 50 countries.
10. Kerry Consulting
Kerry Consulting is a Singapore-founded executive recruitment firm that has served organisations in Singapore and across Asia Pacific since 2003. It describes itself as the largest and most experienced executive recruitment firm in Singapore, and recruits across functions including legal, compliance and risk, finance and accounting, technology, HR, sales and marketing, and operations. The firm is a Great Place to Work-certified employer and positions its approach around trust, market knowledge and continuity of client relationships. Kerry Consulting is a practical option for companies that need senior functional leaders across multiple industries, especially in financial services.
Conclusion
The right executive search firm in Singapore depends on the role, the sector and how much advisory support you want around the hire. Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles and Russell Reynolds Associates are strong choices for CEO, board and succession work, while Odgers, Boyden, Stanton Chase and Amrop offer global reach with a regional focus, and Kerry Consulting brings local depth in senior functional hiring. Before you commit, shortlist two or three firms, ask about their recent searches in your industry, and compare how they handle confidentiality, assessment and post-hire support. Always verify current office details and services on each firm's official website, as these can change.
