Utako Taguchi

Utako Taguchi is based in Tokyo and focuses on assignments in the consumer sector and covers clients in retail, apparel, luxury brands and both global and local FMCG companies. Recently her focus has included e-commerce and other Internet businesses. She also has extensive experience in functional and diversity searches across a range of sectors and has undertaken a range of searches for consulting and professional services firms as well.

Recent Client Experience

Utako's recent assignments within the consumer sector have included working closely with a global FMCG company to recruit a potential successor to the outgoing Country Manager as Deputy GM. Furthermore, she recently conducted searches to recruit a President and management team for a listed Japanese portfolio company of an independent private equity fund. Outside the consumer industry, Utako recently recruited a Country Manager for a global e-commerce business and has been conducting searches as part of a diversity initiative to identify and recruit senior executives for companies.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Utako worked with La Prairie Group, the luxury cosmetic arm of Beiersdorf, based first in Zürich and then in Tokyo. In this role, she supported management and country managers on cross-functional and multi-national projects. Utako started her career with Booz Allen & Hamilton as a Management Consultant, where she was engaged in marketing and strategic planning projects for a wide range of industries.

Education

Utako received her LL.M. and LL.B. (law) from Keio University. She is a native Japanese speaker and fluent in English.