Korn Ferry hires Kathryn Ang and Beatrice Grech-Cumbo as Senior Client Partners

Korn Ferry has appointed executive search and industry veteran Kathryn Ang to the role of Senior Client Partner for the Consumer sector, she joins the firm's Singapore office. The firm's Hay Group has meanwhile appointed Beatrice Grech-Cumbo, who joins the firm from Walmart where she was a Senior Vice President. She takes on the role of Senior Client Partner in the firm's North American operation, as North American Leadership Development solution.

Kathryn Ang and Beatrice Grech-Cumbo have joined Korn Ferry as the latest senior appointees at the firm, after the consultancy recently named Mark Arian as new CEO. They will both work as Senior Client Partners, with Kathryn Ang joining the firm in its Singapore office, where she will work to develop the firm’s consumer offering. She brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, with a background including a mix of both executive search and industrial jobs on her resume.

Ang arrived at the consulting firm from Heidrick & Struggles, where during her three year tenure, she had become a Principal in the firm’s Consumer Practice and South East Asia Leader. She previously spent four years at Boutique Search Firms as a Director Executive for China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Earlier in her career she worked as the Asia Pacific Regional Director for Swisspro; as well as spending eight years at Phillips, first as a Regional Director Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan before moving to the firm’s head office, where she worked as a Senior Director in Corporate Strategy.

New Senior Client Partner Ang is a two-time Master’s graduate, holding a post-graduate degree in Business Administration from the European Business School Oestrich-Winkel, along with a Master’s in Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Finance, which she gained from the State University of New York.

Reflecting on her appointment, Gerard Chai, Office Managing Director, Korn Ferry Singapore, said, “We are confident that Kathryn will bring new capabilities to the firm and will be pivotal to strengthening Korn Ferry’s positioning in the region.” Alicia Yi, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Consumer Market, Korn Ferry, added, “Kathryn has an impeccable reputation as a trusted leadership advisor, and an extensive set of skills which are seen as key by our clients from Fortune 500 companies, particularly in the ASEAN region.”

Beatrice Grech-Cumbo has meanwhile become a new Senior Client Partner the firm’s Chicago office, as well as becoming the Lead of the firm’s North American Leadership Development solution. She brings more than 25 years of experience to the role.

Grech-Cumbo joined the Korn Ferry Hay Group from Walmart, where she was a Senior Vice President of Global Talent – a role she presided over for just over a year, leading and developing the world’s largest business workforce in her time there. She was previously a Partner at professional services firm Aon Hewitt, leading its North American Talent Practice for more than five years; after holding the position of Senior Vice President at the firm, for a little more than three and a half years. Grech-Cumbo holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Northwestern University.

Reflecting on her ascent to the firm’s leadership, Korn Ferry Hay CEO Mark Arian, said, “Beatrice brings a wealth of organizational and talent transformation expertise to our firm and is an excellent addition to our team.” Karin Lucas, President, North America, Korn Ferry Hay Group, added, “We will benefit significantly from her deep knowledge and industry expertise as we continue to expand our offerings to better serve clients.”