February 2026
Appointing an APAC Leader for AI Water Technology Firm’s Expansion
Key takeaways
- Retained search to appoint the first APAC leader for an AI software company serving the global water sector
- 13 senior candidates shortlisted, 10 progressed to interview
- Placement secured within 12 weeks from search launch to start date
- Mandate expanded to include a second global business development hire
The challenge
An AI software company delivering digital solutions to the global infrastructure and water sector was preparing to expand into APAC following strong growth across Europe.
The business required its first regional hire to lead market entry. This was not a standard commercial role. The client needed a senior executive capable of building operations from the ground up across complex and varied APAC utility and regulatory environments.
The brief required:
- Proven experience scaling new regional operations from the ground up
- Strong understanding of APAC’s varied water and regulatory landscapes
- Familiarity with AI-driven digital solutions
- Commercial and people leadership capability
- Credibility with utilities, regulators, and infrastructure stakeholders
After first connecting with LVI Associates at a water industry conference, the client engaged us to run a dedicated search for this mission-critical appointment.
The solution
Given the complexity and seniority of the mandate, LVI Associates implemented a retained search model.
This allowed us to conduct a rigorous global market mapping exercise across water utilities, digital infrastructure platforms, engineering consultancies, and technology providers operating within the sector.
We structured the process to include:
- In-depth screening interviews with every shortlisted candidate
- Bespoke leadership and strategic capability assessments tailored to a new market buildout
- Evaluation of regulatory familiarity across APAC jurisdictions
- Full project management of the hiring process to maintain stakeholder alignment
Through this structured and high-touch method, we assessed entrepreneurial mindset, cultural alignment with a scaling technology business, technical experience, and the ability to translate AI-enabled solutions into commercial traction within conservative infrastructure markets.
The result was a high-quality, diverse shortlist of 13 senior candidates, with 10 progressing to formal interviews – giving the hiring panel meaningful choice across senior, globally competitive profiles.
The results
Within 12 weeks from search commencement to start date, LVI Associates secured the successful appointment of the company’s first APAC leader.
The selected candidate brought a powerful combination of digital innovation experience, go-to-market strategy expertise, and a track record of building new regional operations. Their leadership enabled the client to accelerate APAC market entry, establish early commercial traction, and build regional credibility significantly faster than anticipated.
The strength of the shortlist and alignment between candidate capability and the client’s long-term global strategy led to the creation of a second role focused on global business development and water sector strategy. This extended the project’s impact beyond the initial brief and reinforced the client’s confidence in LVI Associates’ ability to deliver senior leadership talent for mission-critical growth initiatives. Here's what the client shared about the partnership:
Our consultant at LVI Associates, Laura Chan, is a trusted senior search partner known for her professionalism, strategic insight, and deep understanding of our organisational culture. She excels in identifying leadership talent that aligns with both business goals and company values. Laura has a strong ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, ask the right questions, and translate nuanced business needs into targeted search strategies. Her approach is clear, communicative, and collaborative. I highly recommend working with her!
Summary
Expanding into new regions requires leadership that combines digital capability, regulatory awareness, and commercial execution.
This case study demonstrates how LVI Associates supports organisations spanning the energy and infrastructure industry with specialist executive search solutions tailored to complex growth initiatives, enabling them to secure senior leaders who can enter new markets, build regional operations, and translate strategy into measurable commercial progress.
