Establishing a regional leadership structure to support first-phase expansion across Asia Pacific industrial markets.
Client
Global Chemicals Company
Assignment
Asia-Pacific Market Entry & Leadership Build-Out
Geographic Scope
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Overview
A global chemicals business engaged us to support the establishment of its Asia-Pacific division, marking its first structured expansion into the region.
The assignment required the development of a cohesive regional leadership structure, capable of launching operations, driving commercial activity and supporting a multi-sector industrial growth strategy.
This was not simply a hiring exercise, but a foundational market entry programme, where each appointment would directly influence the trajectory of regional expansion.
The Challenge
Entering Asia-Pacific required more than local hires – it demanded a leadership team capable of operating across diverse and complex industrial markets.
The business needed individuals with strategic autonomy, regional market understanding and the ability to align with global objectives.
We delivered a structured, multi-role search strategy, initially recruiting the General Manager for Asia Pacific to establish the senior regional leadership required to drive the market entry programme.
We remained closely engaged following the appointment, working with the General Manager to build the wider regional team through targeted market mapping and direct search.
The six appointments were delivered as a coordinated programme within three months, ensuring alignment across leadership, commercial and functional capability.
The Outcome
Six appointments were successfully delivered within three months, establishing the core leadership, commercial and functional structure required to support the client’s Asia-Pacific operations.
With the regional foundations in place, the client’s internal recruitment team was able to take forward subsequent growth hiring as the organisation continued to expand.
The initial build formed the foundation of a 2–3 year growth strategy, with the leadership team going on to develop the organisation further across the region.
OUR PERSPECTIVE
Building the Foundations, Then Handing Over
Internal talent acquisition teams play an important role in supporting the long-term growth of an established organisation.
But entering a new region can present a different challenge. Before local infrastructure, leadership and market knowledge are fully established, external search expertise can provide the additional reach and market intelligence needed to build those foundations.
In this assignment, Laborare initially appointed the General Manager before working alongside the developing regional leadership structure to deliver the wider team.
Once those foundations were established, the client’s internal recruitment team was able to take forward subsequent growth hiring — a transition that reflected the success of the initial build rather than the end of the partnership.
Where We Added Value
Supporting market entry and expansion strategies
Building leadership teams in regions with limited existing presence
Delivering coordinated multi-role hires where each appointment is interdependent
From market entry to regional scale — delivering the leadership foundations that enable long-term growth.
Building the leadership foundations for growth in new markets.
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