Singapore – April 1^st, 2022 – Bain & Company announced today that senior partner Wade Cruse, will assume the role of managing partner for the firm’s Southeast Asia region effective 1^st April, 2022. With over 25 years’ experience, Wade will continue to be based in Singapore and be responsible for leading the firm's continued success in the region. He will focus on client relationships, leading the next generation of Bain client leaders and pursuing the firm’s mission of achieving new heights for our clients.

“Wade is an exceptional servant leader and is someone who puts others first, including our people and clients. He is well respected within the firm and I’m delighted that he has been appointed as leader for one of our most important growth regions,” said Satish Shankar, Bain & Company’s Regional Managing partner for Asia Pacific. “As we continue our growth trajectory during uncertain times, Wade will help our teams and clients navigate the future, increase our footprint in the region and help us lead in important domains such as ESG and digital.”

Wade was most recently head of Bain & Company’s Customer practice in Asia Pacific where he led a wide range of customer related topics including B2B commercial excellence, the Net Promotor System, and Bain’s proprietary Simple and Digital solution.

He takes over the role from Jean-Pierre Felenbok, who has been in the role since 2019. Under Jean-Pierre’s leadership, the firm experienced strong growth in Southeast Asia, including the expansion of Bain’s client footprint in Philippines and Vietnam. Jean-Pierre will continue to share his deep experience and will continue with the firm as a Bain advisory partner, as part of the firm’s rotating leadership model.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to be taking on this leadership role from Jean-Pierre. He is an esteemed client leader and has built a strong culture of client and people excellence in our region through the strengthening of our client portfolio and enduring client relationships,” said Wade. “Southeast Asia is going through one of the most exciting and dynamic periods of growth.  I am excited to work with our team to support our clients in achieving their full potential and to help them manage through the flurry of disruptions impacting their industries and the region.”

Wade joined Bain in 2005 and brings with him a deep, practical focus to his clients that is rooted in his nearly three decades of experience as an industry executive and consultant. He has a proven track record of delivering sustained results across industries and is recognized as a key strategist, coach and people leader, highly respected for his transparency and fairness. Since joining Bain, he has lived and worked primarily in Southeast Asia, but also has previously been based in Europe, where he spent several years serving clients from the firm’s London office.

He has experience in other major markets, including the US, China, India, Japan, Australia, and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Bain, Wade worked in research and development in the chemicals industry and in operations and management in the steel industry. He was an early member of two start-up steel mini-mills in the mid-1990s in the U.S. Outside of work, he serves on the Board of the Singapore American School in Singapore.

Wade holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Editor’s note: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Nicholas Worley at nicholas.worley@bain.com or +852 2978 8830.