Ep59 The reshaping of recruitment in Asia, ft Seth Peterson, Korn Ferry

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Korn Ferry's Seth Peterson reveals how AI and in-house recruitment are revolutionizing executive search in Asia's energy transition sector. Despite the current market slowdown in China, demand for ESG and sustainability talent in Asia Pacific is quite strong. Corporate culture and purpose emerge as key differentiators in attracting top executives. Seth forecasts AI expertise and data science becoming critical skills, while emphasizing that traditional career-building remains fundamental. His insights highlight the dual challenge companies face: embracing technological innovation while maintaining strong organizational values to secure future talent.

ABOUTH SETH: Seth brings more than 25 years of corporate and consulting experience. He leads teams to bring Korn Ferry’s Solutions to clients across the Asia Pacific region. He also executes Executive Searches at the Board, C-Suite and Functional leadership levels across key Industry sectors, working for both Private Equity portfolio businesses and regional conglomerates as well as western multinationals. Seth is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has been based in Greater China for the majority of his thirty-year career. Prior to joining Korn Ferry in 2018 he spent over seven years as a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles in Hong Kong. In his earlier career he worked in strategic planning, business development, and general management with multinational businesses in the region. He was Vice President, General Manager, in charge of Asia Operations for a Business Unit of Hong Kong-listed Techtronic Industries; and earlier worked for Emerson Electric for several years, where he held several Business Development and P&L responsibilities for various businesses across Asia Pacific and served as a corporate planner at the U.S. headquarters for two years. He began his career in Hong Kong and Shanghai in the early 1990s as a Management Consultant where he was involved in the development of China market strategies for a number of leading corporations. Seth earned an MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies and International Relations from Grinnell College. He previously chaired the board of AFS Intercultural Programs, Hong Kong, and served on the board and Executive Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Ep59 The reshaping of recruitment in Asia, ft Seth Peterson, Korn Ferry

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