Torbjorn Karlsson is a Senior Client Partner in Korn Ferry Singapore office/Asia Pacific Headquarters where he is a member of the Firm’s Global Industrial Market. 

He specializes in international C-Suite and board searches within the industrial sector, particularly in the Diversified Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace And Aviation Practices and within the Marketing & Sales Centre of Excellence.

For the last 30 years, he has lived and worked across multiple locations in Asia Pacific and brings a proven track record in assembling high-performing teams, both as an executive recruiter and as a senior leader. His broad experience in the region spans consulting, sales and marketing, infrastructure projects as well as procurement. With hands-on experience from developing new markets and business opportunities - in both established and emerging markets - he brings an in-depth understanding on how to assist companies in strengthening their commercial activities while building a solid operational foundation for a high-growth environment.

Mr. Karlsson has built leadership teams in some of Asia-Pacific's top multinational companies, as well as privately held and private equity-owned operating companies. His placements include CEOs, presidents, general managers as well as talent in sales and marketing, finance, operations, services, research and development, procurement and supply chain management.  He has also placed senior executives -across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East/Gulf States - in start-up LCCs, full-service Airlines, Regional/Commuter operators as well as at MROs, OEMs and industry service providers.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Karlsson was Vice President of Sales, APAC for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.  Earlier, he was the Asia Pacific Managing Partner of the Industrial Practice for another global search firm.  Prior to his search career, Mr. Karlsson was based in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore in various leadership positions at Saab Aircraft, Rockwell Collins, Cathay Pacific Airways and Honeywell Aerospace.

Mr. Karlsson studied Mechanical Engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden and also earned an MBA.  He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

As Head of Technical Transactions, Asia-Pacific & Middle East for Avolon, Stephen leads a team of technical executives with responsibility for all maintenance, aircraft transition and deal management for a fleet of over 350 aircraft leased to over 70 Airline customers. With a background in powerplant engineering, Stephen has held Leasing, Airline and MRO roles over 20 years in Aviation.  

Brendan Sobie has been working in the aviation industry for over 25 years as a writer, analyst and consultant. Brendan is currently working as an independent analyst and consultant, having established in 2019 the Singapore-based firm Sobie Aviation. He served as chief analyst for CAPA – Centre for Aviation from 2011 to 2019, based in Singapore, and as an editor for Flightglobal from 2000 to 2011, based in the US, Singapore and UK.

Brendan is a widely recognized thought leader on aviation issues in Asia Pacific. He is a prolific author, writing every year several white papers, studies and commentaries.

Brendan is a frequent speaker at industry events, webinars, podcasts, training sessions and board meetings. He is often quoted by the international media with recent live television interviews on BBC, Bloomberg, Channel News Asia and CNBC. Brendan currently serves as a strategic advisor for two airlines, a senior aviation specialist for CAREC under ADB and a connectivity expert for ASEAN under EASA.