A significant wave of retirement in the Asia-Pacific region is driving an increase in first-time CFO appointments, according to a report by Russell Reynolds Associates.
This fundamentally reshapes the current CFO succession landscape, as there has been a recorded increase in retirement rates–rising to 62% from 57% in 2024.
According to RRA’s latest Global CFO Turnover Index in 2025, 58% of all APAC CFO appointments are first-time CFOs, as the region recorded 92 total appointments, surpassing its seven-year average of 85. Fourteen appointments were recorded in Hong Kong and five in Singapore.
The study points out that APAC continues to favour first-time CFOs, as despite the evolving succession landscape, organisations in the region maintained a balanced approach to recruitment, with nearly evenly matched internal (47) and external (45) CFO appointments.
This, according to RRA, reflects a balancing act coincided with a strong inclination towards first-time CFO appointments.
