Russell Reynolds Associates Names Matthew Wright Next CEO; Firm Veteran to Assume CEO Post in January

Global executive search and assessment firm Russell
Reynolds Associates today announced that Matthew Wright will succeed
Hobson Brown, Jr. as the firm's next President and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Wright, a 13-year veteran of the firm, will take office
on January 1, 2007, when Mr. Brown steps down at the conclusion of his
current term.
"The search for great leaders knows no boundaries," said Mr.
Brown. "Matthew is among the foremost ambassadors of this message,
having led our firm's activities in both Europe and Asia. As a leader,
he inspires cooperation and collaboration in a traditionally
competitive industry. Managing complex global relationships, he has
excelled in helping companies around the world find leadership talent
across multiple geographies. His global perspective will be paramount
as he ushers this firm into an era characterized by a borderless,
converging marketplace."
Continued Mr. Brown, "In that spirit, and in an effort to expand
firm leadership beyond the United States, Matthew will continue to be
based in London, while the firm will remain headquartered in New
York."
Mr. Wright has more than 21 years of executive search experience
and joined Russell Reynolds Associates in 1993. In 1994, he became the
firm's Financial Services Sector Leader for Europe and the following
year became Co-Global Financial Services Sector Leader. In 1998, he
assumed leadership of the firm's activities in Europe, and in 2004
took on the additional role of leading the firm's activities in Asia.
He was elected to the Russell Reynolds Associates Executive Committee
in 1996 and has served on the Best Practices and Professional
Development Committees. He is currently a member of the firm's
Operating Committee.
"I am excited to be a part of this new chapter in our firm's
history," said Wright. "Working with our many talented professionals
around the globe, I look forward to overseeing Russell Reynolds
Associates' continued expansion into emerging markets, where the
ability to find experienced leaders will dictate success or failure.
We will continue to prioritize investment in more established markets,
where our reputation for identifying the world's best leaders remains
unmatched."
In addition to his work at Russell Reynolds Associates, Mr. Wright
serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation in the United Kingdom. He is a law graduate.

About Russell Reynolds Associates

Russell Reynolds Associates is the most trusted name in global
executive search and assessment. Through a global network of 35 wholly
owned offices, the firm's more than 275 professionals conduct
senior-level search and assessment assignments in a range of
industries for public and private organizations of all sizes. With its
one-firm culture, deep industry knowledge and unwavering commitment to
client service, Russell Reynolds Associates is uniquely qualified to
help clients find the best leaders for the future. The firm's web site
is www.russellreynolds.com