Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA), a global leadership advisory firm, has appointed Alistair Macrae as the new Head of Asia Pacific (APAC), effective July 1, 2026. Macrae succeeds Matthias Oberholzer, who led the region and will now return to full-time global advisory work based in Zurich, Switzerland.
New Leadership to Drive Growth
In his new role, Macrae will oversee RRA’s operations across APAC, focusing on deepening client relationships and driving strategic growth in key geographies. He brings extensive experience in board and CEO advisory, including chair, non-executive director, and audit committee chair appointments. His expertise spans board composition, leadership succession, and executive team effectiveness, ensuring leadership decisions align with long-term business objectives.
Macrae also has significant experience advising on senior corporate officer appointments. Drawing on his background in finance, strategy, and corporate leadership, he helps organizations assess and identify capabilities needed for complex roles in rapidly evolving business environments.
Macrae’s Vision for APAC
“I am honored to have been appointed to lead the Asia Pacific region at such an exciting time,” said Alistair Macrae. “As boards, CEOs, and senior leaders across the region navigate heightened economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and critical talent gaps, the need for highly strategic and adaptable leadership is of critical importance. I look forward to working closely with our exceptional teams across the entire region to help our clients navigate the increasingly complex global leadership landscape.”
Macrae is also a member of RRA’s Global Senior Leadership Team. He joined the firm after a successful corporate career, including six years with Fairfax Media Limited as CFO of the digital business and corporate strategy roles at Tabcorp Holdings Limited. He began his career with Ernst & Young within the Minerals, Energy and Utilities Practice. Macrae holds a BCom from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Oberholzer’s Transition
Commenting on the new appointment, Matthias Oberholzer said: “Alistair’s appointment is part of our ongoing commitment to planned leadership succession, ensuring we bring fresh perspectives to our regional operations. Alistair has a proven track record of understanding the unique cultural and business dynamics across the region. We are confident that his broad regional vision, spanning from Australia to key hubs in India, North and South Asia, will bring immense value to our clients as they build world-class leadership teams.”
Following his successful leadership in APAC, Oberholzer will transition back to focusing fully on his global advisory work. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, he will continue advising organizations on CEO and board leadership, succession, executive assessment, and senior leadership matters across the insurance, banking, and private equity industries.
About Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory firm with over 500 consultants in 47 offices. The firm works with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions, helping clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today’s challenges and anticipate digital, economic, sustainability, and political trends reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with structure, culture, and effectiveness to identifying, assessing, and defining the best leadership for organizations, the firm’s teams bring decades of expertise to address complex leadership issues.
This announcement reflects RRA’s commitment to planned leadership succession and its focus on delivering value to clients in the Asia Pacific region.
