Charles Watson

Charlie Watson is a seasoned executive search consultant, executive coach, and assessment professional with more than 20 years of experience advising clients on recruitment, developing leadership talent and organizational effectiveness. He partners primarily with private capital firms (and their portfolio companies) and financial services organizations, bringing a thoughtful, consultative approach to executive search, assessment, and leadership development.

Charlie is a leader in the Firm's real assets practice, with deep expertise across infrastructure investing (both debt and equity). He also advises clients on operating partner/value creation roles, portfolio company leadership, board composition, and executive team development.

Certified in Hogan psychometric testing assessment and a Level II Certified Executive Coach through Columbia University's Coaching Certification Program, Charlie integrates executive coaching into his work to help leaders enhance performance, strengthen teams, and maximize organizational impact.

Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Charlie had a successful career in finance – joining Russell Reynolds from J.P. Morgan, where he helped build their institutional equity sector sales effort. Previously, he was in a similar role at Deutsche Bank and earlier he was an Associate in Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette's Equities Research Department (later Credit Suisse First Boston). He began his career in Chemical Bank's Private Banking department, as a lending officer in their entrepreneurs and business owners division.

Charlie has been an active volunteer and board member for organizations dedicated to education, youth development, and adaptive sports. For years, he sat on the Board of Trustees of The Taft School, co-headed the Taft Fund and sat on the Institutional Advancement and Parent’s Committees. Additionally, he sat on the Board of Directors of the United States Adaptive Golf Association (USAGA) and its predecessor – Freedom Golf. The USAGA is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to bringing joy and a sense of freedom to the special needs community through their inclusion in the game of golf. Lastly, he served on the Board of Directors of the New Canaan Lacrosse Association and coached youth lacrosse for many years.