Yasushi Sasaki takes over as Chair of BCG’s Asia Pacific business
Global strategy consulting firm Boston Consulting Group has appointed Tokyo-based leader Yasushi Sasaki as its new chair for the Asia Pacific, succeeding Neeraj Aggarwal after seven years.
Previously serving as Boston Consulting Group’s Northeast Asia ‘system’ leader, Sasaki steps into the APAC chair role after more than two decades at the firm, having also previously headed its regional financial institutions practice.
Aggarwal meanwhile hands over after seven years in role, having taken over from compatriot Janmejaya Sinha in 2018 after leading the firm’s practice in India. Currently based out of Singapore, his next posting wasn’t announced.
“I’m especially excited for the region as Sasaki-San steps into the role,” Aggarwal said. “Having worked closely with him over the years, I’ve seen his thoughtful, inclusive, and bold leadership in action. He has played a central role in strengthening the Northeast Asia system – expanding our presence in Japan and Korea and deepening collaboration across the region.”
Sasaki joined BCG in 2002 after previously working for the Industrial Bank of Japan in London and Tokyo in the areas of M&A advisory and finance. He has been in his most recent role at BCG for the past six years, before which he advised banking, insurance, and investment executives on strategy, organisation, and digital transformation as head of the firm’s APAC financial institutions practice.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to lead BCG Asia Pacific and continue to help our clients create stronger, more resilient businesses,” Sasaki said. “I believe this is a pivotal moment. The region holds immense potential for economic and corporate growth, where the coming decade will be shaped by AI powered productivity, net zero growth models, and more resilient supply chains.”
Sasaki will have big shoes to fill in his new role amid ongoing headwinds confronting the global consulting industry, with BCG doubling its business in the region during the boom times of Aggarwal’s tenure. He also helped drive BCG’s sustainably and diversity & inclusion agendas in the region and expanded the firm’s footprint while steering it through Covid and other challenges since.
“Thanks to Neeraj’s leadership, BCG’s business in Asia Pacific is now stronger, more connected, and more future-ready than ever,” Sasaki said. “We have faced volatility, and we know more uncertainty lies ahead, but even as the winds shift our direction remains clear. With a strong crew and a shared compass, I have no doubt we’ll continue reaching new horizons together.”
Sasaki’s appointment coincides with countryman Shintaro Okuno taking over as Asia Pacific managing partner at rival Bain & Company, with both MBB giants having originally expanded into Asia via an office in Tokyo, respectively in 1966 and 1981. Accenture likewise looked back to Japan when appointing Atsushi Egawa and Ryoji Sekido as regional co-CEOs last year.
