BrazilMatthew Lewis leads Russell Reynolds Associates in Dubai
Global leadership advisory and search firm Russell Reynolds Associates has installed a new leader in its Dubai office.
Russell Reynolds Associates has been serving clients in the Middle East for over 40 years. Initially through remote and fly-in teams from its offices in London, Paris and other European hubs, but since 2015 the professional services firm has been active in the emirate with an on the ground presence.
“Our firm was first in our industry to establish a Middle East practice, and we remain unique with dedicated consultants based both inside and outside of the region,” said Clarke Murphy, the CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates.
Leading the offices for the past six years was Stephan Schönwälder, a former McKinsey & Company partner who joined Russell Reynolds Associates following a five year spell at rival Spencer Stuart in Dubai. Filling his shoes is Matthew Lewis, appointed country manager for the Dubai office and tasked with continuing the firm’s growth in the region.
Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Lewis founded his own Dubai-based talent advisory, leadership consulting and executive coaching firm specialising in emerging markets. Previously, he was a partner at two global executive search and leadership consulting firms – Boyden and Correlate Search – where he managed the Dubai office. Before that, he worked over a decade in the United Kingdom.
His track record includes interviewing and assessing over 6,000+ C level executives, and hiring for over 600 leading private, listed and government organisations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US. Also working as a leadership coach, Lewis delivered over 2,000 hours of career, leadership and health performance coaching to executives and managers.
“With over two decades of experience advising boards and CEOs, Matthew is uniquely suited to help lead our firm's efforts in the United Arab Emirates and wider Middle East region,” said Matthias Oberholzer, Regional Head for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Russell Reynolds Associates.
“Demand for our firm's services in this region continues to grow, and Matthew's expertise advising companies in regard to their overall talent strategy, particularly with respect to leadership assessment, succession planning and the recruitment of CEOs and directors, will allow us to augment an already strong team in Dubai.”
Globally, Russell Reynolds Associates has nearly 400 consultants and headhunters in 46 offices worldwide.
