As individuals, we’re some of the best in the business. Together, we have the key to something special.
Our founding team has over 60 combined years of experience, helping global businesses place elite talent in some of the most complex markets. Our reputations, networks, and insights are unparalleled, and our ability to deliver creative solutions for both our talents and clients is undisputed.
Specialists in placing senior roles in Japan and Asia, we help build up leadership teams of C-Suite and Functional Heads for leading organisations. Acting as your on-the-ground, in-the-know strategic partners, we can support you in critical times of market entry, evolution and transformation.
With offices in Tokyo and now Singapore, we have extended our focus to cover key markets such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Southeast Asia, delivering tailored solutions across these dynamic markets.
Our beliefs
We combine our decades of experience and on-the-ground expertise to deliver creative talent solutions in complex markets.
- Collaboration – Having frank partnerships with our clients to deliver impactful solutions
- Insights first – Using our on-the-ground experience and inside knowledge to deliver results.
- Supporting scale – Utilising our network of alliance partners to help our clients scale across geographies and specialities
- Confidential – Operating exclusively and highly confidentially for our clients every step of the way.
Our Values
Our values describe who are are as people, how we approach what we do and want we want to be know for in the industry.
- Commitment – Committed to everything we do, with a track record of success that instils customer confidence in us
- Integrity – We provide reliable and honest support to our customers, enabling us to grow and enhance our professional networks as trusted networks
- Innovation – Our unique advisory approach allows our customers to choose the best-fitting solution for career or company
Meet the team

Neal Walters
Founder & CEO
Neal founded Key Consulting after an extensive career in Executive Search across Asia Pacific. With previous leadership roles in top-search firms in Asia that operated at a Global level. Neal specialises in Executive-level searches across C-Suite, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing arenas.
Originally from Canada, Neal has resided in Japan and Singapore for over 24 years and speaks fluent Japanese. Neal enjoys playing golf, ice hockey, good wine, and travelling in his free time.
Jason Lewis
Managing Director, Founding Member
Jason has had a glittering career in the Japanese market, specialising in CEO, CFO, HR and Sales & Marketing executive level search. His experience spans both global and domestic firms, with previous roles including VP and Senior Partner, where he grew industry-leading search and consulting teams.
Originally from Canada, Jason has been in Japan since 1997. Jason enjoys playing sports, coaching sports, and spending time with his family in his free time.


Peter Smith
Partner, Founding Member
Peter started his Executive Search career in Asia back in 2007. Primarily focusing on the Japanese market, he has an extensive network and knowledge of the region. He spent the last 14 years setting up new recruitment desks for both established and boutique agencies and is passionate about supporting clients in their business transformation goals.
Peter has lived in Japan since 2004. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling and playing tennis.
Julian Stephenson
Partner, Founding Member
Since beginning his Executive Search career in Tokyo in 2004, Julian has become a well-respected figure in the Finance and HR communities, leveraging an extensive network of leaders and talents across the region to provide connections, expertise, and solutions to people and organisations in need.
He loves spending time in the garden and enjoying the great outdoors with his kids when away from work.


Oscar Lundin
Partner, Founding Member
Oscar began his recruitment career in Tokyo in 2006 and specialized in the HR arena. His assignments have spanned from high-end C-Suite placements to building entire HR departments through contingency search. Prior to joining Key Consulting, he managed the HR and Corporate Services team for a large scale recruitment agency in Tokyo.
Oscar loves to spend time with his friends and family in the great outdoors in his spare time.
Matt Humphries
Senior Consultant
Matt came to Japan in 2008 before starting his recruitment career in Tokyo in 2017. His primary specialisation is high-level search in the HR and Executive field in Japan and Asian markets. He is motivated to introduce strong talents that are game changers for clients. Before joining Key Consulting, he worked for a large recruitment agency in Tokyo, covering senior HR searches.
He enjoys great food and travelling with friends. In his spare time, he likes playing Japanese drums.


Nick Steinkamp
Consultant
With a background in recruitment and sales experience spanning over 20 years, Nick has joined Key Consulting to help grow the reach of the organisation within the APAC region. Having been the top performer in multiple sales roles, he brings the same drive to provide the best possible client service and support to the Executive Search field.
Nick currently resides in Tokyo, Japan with his family. He is passionate about being a father and husband and enjoys spending his free time making music and playing guitar with his wife.
Ian Wright
Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences
Ian Wright, with extensive experience in Healthcare and Life Sciences recruitment, excels at placing top-tier executives to drive organisational growth. At Key Consulting, he utilises his strategic insight and industry knowledge to match leadership talent with critical roles, ensuring lasting success.
Ian resides in Tokyo and is known for his strategic acumen and extensive network.


Ayako Barbareschi
Consultant, HR & Healthcare/Life Sciences
Ayako joined Key Consulting after an extensive career in HR executive search, where she successfully placed senior HR leaders in Management and Director roles for both Japanese and international companies. Now, she focuses on recruitment within the Healthcare & Life Sciences sectors across Japan and Asia.
Born and raised in Yokohama, Ayako lived in London from 2010 to 2017 while raising two children. An avid traveller, she has visited over 50 countries and is also a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.
Christian Scherer
Director, Contract & Temp Management Solutions
Chris joined Key Consulting after a successful 9-year career in Contract and Temp recruitment in Japan, specialising in bridging talent gaps across Finance, HR, C-Suite, and Marketing & Sales. He has a strong track record of helping businesses find the right interim talent to drive growth and stability.
Originally from Germany, Chris moved to Japan in 2015 after earning his degree in Industrial Engineering. He has also lived in New York, working for Mercedes-Benz. Outside of work, Chris enjoys health and fitness, travelling, movies, and exploring the latest technology.


Dominic Murphy
Director, APAC Region
Dominic joined Key Consulting after a successful career spanning HR and Executive Search. With a passion for People & Culture, he has dedicated himself to helping businesses unlock their full potential since earning his MSc in HR Management in 2012. Most recently, he has worked as an HRBP for North Asia with a British multinational.
Based in Singapore, Dominic is excited to continue his Executive Search journey with Key Consulting focused on HR and Finance & Accounting, while at the same time being an ambassador to our Life Sciences practice. Outside of work, he champions DE&I and has led multiple regional initiatives to foster equitable, inclusive workplaces.