Russell Reynolds Associates has named Nanaz Mohtashami as the UK Managing Director and Laura Sanderson as the Co-Head of EMEIA.
Nanaz Mohtashami joined Russell Reynolds in 2013. She has focused on senior level hirings for a number of clients in the healthcare sector, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, consumer health and healthcare services. Not only is she experienced in executive search, but she has also provided leadership and assessment strategy services to the clients. She led Russell Reynolds’ Global Medtech Practice, working with clients worldwide, before the appointment. Starting as an Analyst at Monitor (now Monitor Deloitte), she climbed the career ladder to become the youngest female partner before joining Russell Reynolds.
Mohtashami said “Good leadership is desperately important to the UK today. It is a privilege to support the next generation of leaders, as the decisions they make influence our economy, our environment and our values. Our role, as ever, is to listen to clients, build lasting relationships and guide them through this period of significant change. I have experienced the best that Russell Reynolds has to offer, not just in the UK but across our network of exceptional global consultants. I look forward to unlocking this expertise for our UK clients at a time when business success is deeply tied to the global economic, political and technological landscape.”
Mohtashami has extensive experience in building multinational teams to support high-profile hirings and succession planning projects. As the new UK Managing Director, she will lead the firm’s efforts to advance its leadership expertise as business leaders in the UK navigate economic challenges, geopolitical risks, and the increasing need to address technological and environmental changes.
Laura Sanderson, based in the UK, was a Managing Director in the UK and got promoted to Co-Head of Europe, Middle East and India. She has more than 18 years of experience in board advisory work, responsible for over 300 appointments to the boards of FTSE 100, FTSE 250, private, mutual and family-owned companies. She was a Partner at The Zygos Partnership and joined Russell Reynolds when the company was merged with the firm in 2017. At Zygos, she was particularly focused in financial services and other regulated industries. Her expertise is Chairman and Non-Executive Director searches, as well as CEO searches.
Sanderson said “This is an exciting but also sobering time for leaders in Europe. Businesses face the opportunities of generative AI, the threat of geopolitical disruption and feel the weight of responsibility created by the climate crisis. In an era where we need to look primarily to business rather than governments to play a role in addressing some of our largest societal challenges, companies need to demonstrate an understanding of their broader social role. I look forward to working with my colleagues throughout the region to help our clients build and develop diverse leadership teams which can embrace these challenges.”