Every leadership movement tells a story, but the bigger picture often lies in the patterns between them.
Whom, companies choose to lead, the expertise they bring in and the responsibilities they entrust to them offer a glimpse into where businesses are headed next.
October 2026 saw companies across industries strengthen their leadership teams, expand executive responsibilities and bring specialised expertise into key roles.
While some organisations turned to experienced insiders to maintain continuity, others appointed leaders to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, strengthen talent strategies and support expansion across markets.
Across the wider leadership landscape, the appointments also highlight priorities spanning technology, regional growth, succession planning and commercial expansion.
1. Christina Schelling becomes Verizon’s Chief People Officer
Verizon has appointed Christina Schelling as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective October 2026, as the telecommunications company advances its business transformation, workforce capabilities and enterprise-wide AI adoption.
Schelling joined Verizon in 2022 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources from January to October 2026. Before that, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Talent Officer, overseeing more than 1,000 HR professionals.
In her new role, she will lead Verizon’s global people strategy, bringing together talent, technology and culture to support business performance and improve the employee experience.
Her appointment places workforce development and AI enablement at the centre of Verizon’s people agenda as the company reshapes how work is done.
2. Jimmy Zhang takes on interim HR leadership at Takeda China
Takeda has appointed Jimmy Zhang as Interim Head of HR for China, effective October 2026, adding responsibility for the pharmaceutical company's China people strategy to his existing global leadership roles.
Zhang will continue to lead Takeda’s Global Talent Acquisition and People Analytics teams alongside his interim responsibilities. He recently spent two weeks in Shanghai meeting HR colleagues and business leaders to understand local priorities and opportunities.
Since joining Takeda in 2021, Zhang has held several senior HR positions. In January 2026, he became Global Head of Talent Acquisition and People Analytics and Capabilities, bringing recruitment and people analytics under a shared enterprise talent strategy.
His responsibilities include connecting workforce planning, talent intelligence and recruitment execution, as well as modernising talent acquisition through AI-enabled insights and data-driven workforce strategies.
Zhang’s expanded remit brings together local people leadership and global talent responsibilities, with a focus on organisational effectiveness, talent priorities and workforce planning.
3. Pacific Inter-Link appoints Kiran Dhillon as CHRO
Pacific Inter-Link (PIL) appointed Kiran Dhillon as Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing her back to the group to oversee its regional people function across Malaysia, Indonesia and Africa.
Her responsibilities include organisational development, workforce planning, employee relations, performance management and leadership development.
The appointment reflects the importance of coordinating HR priorities across multiple markets while responding to local workforce needs.
4. Coda names Moonmoon Varma Chief People Officer
Coda appointed Moonmoon Varma as Chief People Officer to lead its global People and Talent organisation.
Varma brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience across Asia Pacific and Europe. Her appointment comes as the company strengthens its leadership team for its next phase of growth.
Her experience across international markets positions her to support organisational development and talent priorities as the business evolves.
5. Preply appoints Lillian Reaume as Chief People Officer
Reaume previously served as chief people officer at Stitch Fix and Rubrik, bringing experience in organisational transformation and scaling teams across growing technology businesses.
Her appointment highlights the role of people leadership in helping companies build organisational capabilities as they expand.
6. Exclusive Networks Asia names Cyl Lin regional HR head
Exclusive Networks Asia appointed Cyl Lin as Regional Head of Human Resources.
Lin brings more than two decades of HR experience across Asia Pacific and Japan. At Smollan, she led HR strategy for a workforce of 12,500 employees across 12 countries.
Her expertise spans organisational design, workforce planning, people analytics and AI-enabled HR.
The appointment brings regional HR experience and technology-related capabilities into a role covering a geographically diverse workforce.
7. Ford appoints William Huffaker as Chief Talent Officer
Ford Motor Company appointed William (Bill) Huffaker as Chief Talent Officer, placing global talent acquisition, talent management, development and inclusion under his leadership.
His appointment underscores the growing connection between talent strategy, technology adoption and workforce development as businesses respond to changing skills requirements.
8. DP World appoints Jason Varsamidis as Asia Pacific CEO
DP World appointed Jason Varsamidis as CEO and managing director of Asia Pacific, placing him in charge of its ports, terminals and logistics businesses across 22 geographies.
The region's operations employ more than 12,000 people. Varsamidis previously served as regional CFO, overseeing financial strategy, investment priorities and business performance.
His move from finance leadership to regional executive management brings an established understanding of the business into a role focused on regional operations and growth.
9. Marsh expands its ASEAN and Singapore leadership
Marsh appointed Derek Heng as CEO of Marsh ASEAN while he retains his position as CEO of Marsh Thailand.
Peta Latimer was named CEO of Marsh Singapore alongside her existing role as president of Marsh’s People and Investments business in Asia.
The changes are intended to strengthen collaboration across Marsh’s Southeast Asian operations while maintaining leadership continuity in key markets.
10. Deutsche Bank appoints Vikas Arora to lead its Philippines business
Deutsche Bank appointed Vikas Arora as Chief Country Officer and Head of Corporate Bank for the Philippines, effective 1 October, subject to regulatory approvals.
Arora previously led the bank’s corporate banking business in Malaysia and brings experience across several Asian markets.
His appointment reflects the importance of regional experience and local market knowledge in leadership roles spanning international banking operations.
11. Allianz Insurance Singapore names Ong Bi Ying CEO
Allianz Insurance Singapore appointed Ong Bi Ying as CEO, effective 1 October.
Ong joined the company in 2019 and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer. Her experience within the organisation provides continuity as she takes on responsibility for its leadership and business priorities.
12. MET Asia appoints Esther Ang as CEO
MET Asia, the Singapore-based regional business of MET Group, appointed Esther Ang as CEO, effective 1 November.
After nine years with the group, Ang will lead the development of its liquefied natural gas origination and trading activities across Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Her appointment places an established company leader at the centre of the group’s regional business development plans.
13. ManpowerGroup names Becky Frankiewicz its next CEO
ManpowerGroup named Becky Frankiewicz as its next CEO, effective 1 January 2027. She will succeed Jonas Prising, who will transition to Executive Chair.
Frankiewicz currently serves as president and chief strategy officer and has been involved in the company’s commercial strategy and AI integration.
The appointment combines internal succession with a continued focus on strategy and technology as the workforce solutions company prepares for its next phase.
14. Barclays appoints Anita Tanna as its first Chief AI Officer
Barclays appointed Anita Tanna as its first Chief AI Officer, moving her from the role of Group Chief of Staff to the CEO.
Her mandate is to accelerate AI adoption across the organisation and identify opportunities to generate value for customers, employees and the business.
The newly created position highlights the growing emphasis on leadership roles that connect AI investment with practical business outcomes.
15. Nike appoints Adam Zoller as Chief Information Security Officer
Nike appointed Adam Zoller as Chief Information Security Officer.
Zoller joins from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and previously served as global CISO at healthcare provider Providence, where he oversaw cybersecurity across a large healthcare network.
His appointment strengthens the company’s technology risk leadership as cybersecurity becomes increasingly important to business continuity and the protection of digital operations.
16. RAM Holdings appoints Julie Ng as acting group CEO
In Malaysia, RAM Holdings appointed Julie Ng as Acting Group CEO following the retirement of Chris W. K. Lee after a 34-year career with the group.
Ng will continue to serve as CEO of RAM Ratings while the board considers longer-term leadership arrangements.
The appointment provides interim leadership continuity while the company determines its next permanent leadership structure.
17. Tysers Singapore confirms William Furness-Smith as CEO
Tysers Singapore confirmed William Furness-Smith as CEO following regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
With experience in marine insurance and the Asia Pacific market, Furness-Smith will lead the broker’s regional growth strategy, strengthen client relationships and develop specialist capabilities.
His appointment is closely tied to the company's ambitions for regional expansion and stronger market positioning.
18. EDAG Group appoints Ir. Zul Ashraf Bakri as Malaysia managing director
EDAG Group appointed Ir. Zul Ashraf Bakri as Managing Director of EDAG Malaysia while he continues to lead vehicle engineering.
His responsibilities include strengthening the Malaysian business, developing local engineering capabilities and expanding collaboration across the group’s international network.
The dual remit combines operational leadership with technical expertise and regional coordination.
19. The Walt Disney Company appoints Carol Choi as Asia Pacific president
The Walt Disney Company appointed Carol Choi as President of Asia Pacific, effective 1 December.
A Disney veteran of 20 years, Choi will oversee entertainment businesses across Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Her experience spans studios, original content, marketing and the development of Disney+, bringing extensive regional and business knowledge to the role.
20. Asian Development Bank names Scott Roberts country director for Viet Nam
The Asian Development Bank appointed Scott Roberts as Country Director for Viet Nam, effective 16 October.
Roberts brings more than 27 years of international development experience, including 16 years with the bank.
His priorities include green and inclusive growth, climate resilience, infrastructure investment and private sector-led economic development.
21. Cognito appoints Hannah Polson as Singapore managing director
Cognito appointed Hannah Polson as Managing Director for Singapore.
With experience in strategic communications and financial services, Polson will lead the consultancy’s local operations and support its work with businesses across financial services and technology.
Her appointment strengthens local leadership as the firm serves clients across specialist industries.
22. Wrist Group appoints Robert Desai as group CEO
Wrist Group appointed Robert Desai as Group CEO following the departure of Jens Holger Nielsen, who stepped down in September and joined the company’s advisory board.
Desai joins from V.Group and brings more than 20 years of international leadership experience across shipping, maritime services, logistics and offshore services.
His mandate includes strengthening customer relationships, improving operational performance and supporting profitable growth.
What October’s appointments reveal
October’s leadership movements point to several priorities across industries,
People's leadership is becoming more closely connected to business transformation.
AI adoption is creating new leadership priorities.
Regional growth requires a combination of global coordination and local expertise.
Succession remains an important part of leadership planning.
Specialist experience continues to shape executive hiring.
Taken together, these appointments offer a snapshot of how companies are positioning their leadership teams for the challenges ahead.
The titles may differ, but the underlying mandate is similar: build the capabilities, leadership structures and organisational resilience needed to navigate business transformation and sustain growth.