Torbjorn

Karlsson

Senior Client Partner, Head of Industrial, ASEAN

Torbjorn Karlsson is a Senior Client Partner in Korn Ferry Singapore office/Asia Pacific Headquarters where he is a member of the Firm’s Global Industrial Market.

Mr. Karlsson specializes in advising C-Suites and Boards within the industrial sector on how to build highly effective organizations and executive teams.

For the last 30 years he has lived and worked across multiple locations in Asia Pacific and brings a proven track record in assembling high performing teams, as an
executive recruiter, advisor and as a senior leader; particularly in the manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and aviation and commercial functions.

Mr. Karlsson's broad experience in the region spans consulting, sales and marketing, infrastructure projects as well as procurement. With hands on experience from developing new markets and business opportunities in both established and emerging markets he brings an in depth understanding on how to assist companies in strengthening their commercial activities while building a solid operational foundation for a high growth environment. He is especially passionate about developing ASEAN as a strategic market.

Mr. Karlsson has built leadership teams in some of Asia Pacific's top multinational companies, as well as privately held and private equity owned operating companies. His placements include CEOs, presidents, general managers as well as talent in sales and marketing, finance, operations, services, research and development, procurement and supply chain management. He has also placed senior executives across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East/Gulf States in start up LCCs, full service Airlines, Regional/Commuter operators as well as at MROs, OEMs and industry service providers.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Karlsson was VP Sales, APAC for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. Earlier, he was a managing partner in another global search firm, and the regional leader of their Industrial Practice in Asia Pacific. Prior to his search career Mr. Karlsson was based in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore in various leadership positions at Saab Aircraft, Rockwell Collins, Cathay Pacific Airways and Honeywell Aerospace.

Mr. Karlsson studied mechanical engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden and also earned an MBA. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.