Harvey Nash, the global executive search and leadership services firm, today announced the expansion of its Asia Pacific business with the launch of its Singapore office. The firm has appointed Richard Goddard as Managing Director of South-East Asia operations.
The Singapore office will address growing client needs for support with senior hires in a city that is a strategic regional hub for many multinational corporations, and will be closely aligned to Harvey Nash's network throughout the Asia Pacific region, and globally.
As Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, gender diversity has been a major focus for corporations operating in the city-state. The Diversity Task Force regarding Women on Boards (DTF) and the Diversity Action Committee (DAC) were formed last year, in the lead-up to SG50, under the Ministry for Social and Family Development, with the objective of increasing the number of women directors on boards of companies.[1] Harvey Nash is already a committed partner of the DAC and is well positioned to be part of the gender diversity movement in Singapore, having long been involved in similar initiatives across Asia Pacific. The Women’s Directorship Programme – a joint venture with The University of Hong Kong, HKU Business School, and Inspire network activities – Harvey Nash’s global executive network for women, have both served to drive the gender diversity agenda forward by focusing on the importance of creating balanced teams and developing female talent.
Diversity will be a strategic focus for Managing Director Richard Goddard. With over two decades of international search experience, Goddard will lead the development of Harvey Nash’s South-East Asia expansion. He is also responsible for leading the Technology Practice across the region. For 18 years he played a pivotal role in the global expansion of the Technology Practice of a UK public listed recruitment services organisation. During this period, he led the launch of multi-industry practices in the UK, France, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and North America whilst remaining a prolific executive search partner for his clients internationally.
“The expansion of our Singapore office comes at a critical juncture of our growth in the region. Following our acquisition in Japan last year, our new office in Singapore demonstrates our commitment to expanding our presence across the APAC region. Harvey Nash is well positioned to support the success of organisations throughout the region through our ability to discover key talent, and our unmatched focus on the benefits of diversity,” said Nick Marsh, Managing Director, Harvey Nash Executive Search Asia Pacific. “We are thrilled to have Richard leading the charge in South-East Asia - we believe his experience as the market leader in the Technology sector, combined with his deep network and ambition to deliver only the best, makes him the perfect match for our clients.
“I’m extremely pleased to join the Harvey Nash team and I’m excited about being able to help companies in the region identify and grow their senior talent to support business success,” said Goddard. “I look forward to working with a company that is influencing real boardroom conversations about gender diversity, and shaping the future of the Harvey Nash business in South-East Asia, and the wider Asia region.”
Singapore is the fifth market in Asia Pacific for Harvey Nash, which already has teams operating in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Vietnam.