Kearney, a global management consultancy, announced the appointment of Bob Swan and Isabelle Xoual as inaugural external members of its board of directors. Swan is based in Silicon Valley and Xoual is based in Paris.
Swan and Xoual, who began their terms on July 1, bring extensive leadership experience in technology, finance, and consulting.
The two new board members were selected by a search committee established by the board in 2022 to help strengthen governance. The selection process prioritized understanding of the consulting business, transformation needs of the global economy, M&A knowledge, prior board service, global mindset, innovative thinking, cultural fit, diversity, and excellent business judgment.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Swan and Ms. Xoual as Kearney's first-ever external board members," said Alex Liu, managing partner and chairman at Kearney. "Their expansive and diverse experiences bring a tremendous value-add to the board's decision processes and will be a vital source of guidance and governance as Kearney continues to deliver innovative and impactful solutions to clients."
Swan has leadership expertise in B2B technology, consumer internet, and fintech. He currently is an operating partner with venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz, and has spent the last two years as a global advisor at Kearney.
Swan served as CEO of Intel between 2019 and 2021, and before that was its CFO. He was also previously CFO of eBay and GE Lighting.
Swan currently serves on the boards of Nike, GoTo Group, the American Heart Association, and Flexport, and previously served on the boards of eBay, Applied Materials, Intel, and Skype.
"I'm incredibly excited to join Kearney at an important moment of transformation for both the consulting business and the clients it serves. Kearney has demonstrated an impressive commitment to adapting its offerings and approach to meet the individualized needs of global clients, as well as anticipating future challenges to clients' businesses," Swan said.
Xoual has played a central role in more than 100 public or private transactions over her 30-year investment banking career. She has corporate finance expertise in cross-border M&A, LBOs, restructurings, privatizations, IPOs, corporate preparedness, and defense against activists.
Xoual has been at investment bank Lazard since 1998, currently serving as managing director and co-leader for capital goods coverage in Europe. Before Lazard, Xoual worked at Rothschild and Oliver Wyman.
She previously served on the board of ANF Immobilier, a French real estate group.
“There's no doubt that businesses face more challenges, and at a faster pace, than ever before. In searching for consultants who meet their needs, it's clear that Kearney is best positioned with a global viewpoint, a diverse and experienced partnership base and a commitment to investments in good governance, technology, and people,” Xoual said.
Headquartered in Chicago, Kearney has more than 4,200 employees across 60+ offices globally.
Sourced from Consulting.US