Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) turnover in Asia has remained remarkably low in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Global CHRO Turnover Index by Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA). The region’s turnover rate stayed flat year-on-year, with major markets like Hong Kong, Singapore, and India reporting no departures, whilst Japan and Australia recorded minimal changes. This stability contrasts with a global turnover rate of approximately 2.6%.
Globally, 54 CHROs left their roles in Q1 2025, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. The S&P 500 accounted for over half of these departures, highlighting volatility in Western markets. The average tenure for outgoing CHROs globally has decreased to 4.1 years, down from 4.5 years in Q1 2024, indicating a trend towards shorter leadership durations.
In Asia, external candidates dominated new CHRO appointments, comprising 75% of hires, diverging from the global trend of internal promotions, which rose to 58%. Additionally, women accounted for 85% of CHRO appointments globally, reflecting a significant increase in gender diversity.
Michelle Chan Crouse, Asia lead for Consumer Packaged Goods and Human Resources Practices, noted, “Whilst CHRO turnover in Asia remains low, we are seeing a clear trend toward appointing external candidates to these critical roles.”
The Tech sector experienced a notable turnover, with 6.2% of companies reporting CHRO departures, more than double the global average. This highlights the pressures faced by industries amid rapid innovation.
The evolving role of CHROs, now central alongside CEOs, is driving turnover as organisations seek leaders capable of managing complex transformations and disruptions.
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