AlixPartners, the global advisory firm, announced that Simon Freakley has been appointed Co-CEO alongside the current CEO Fred Crawford. They will work together in this role until 1 January 2016 at which time Simon Freakley will become sole CEO of AlixPartners. Fred Crawford will take on a new role within the firm and remain a member of the Board.

Simon Freakley joined the firm as a Managing Director in February 2015 when AlixPartners acquired Zolfo Cooper Europe, where Simon had been CEO for seven years. Zolfo Cooper Europe was a leading independent provider of advisory and restructuring services. Previously he had been Global CEO of Kroll Inc, based in New York, from 2004-2008.

“I am delighted that we are appointing Simon, initially as my partner in this role, and shortly to lead the firm. I have been CEO for eight of the 11 years that I have been with the firm and, from a personal perspective, now is the right time for me to pass on the leadership baton while continuing to serve my colleagues and our clients as an active Managing Director and member of the Board. AlixPartners is a very special place to be and I have a deep belief and commitment to the work that we do and the way our people deliver it. 

I got to know Simon well through the process to acquire Zolfo Cooper Europe and since he joined the firm I have been impressed by his strategic thinking, operational insight, and empathic approach to building relationships. I look forward to working closely with him during these next few months and have no doubt that he will be a highly effective leader of our business.”
 
Simon Freakley said, “I am delighted and honored to take on this role. I had long admired AlixPartners before our firms came together, and since joining I have been struck by the depth of capability, ambition, and client commitment that exists throughout the firm. Fred has been an outstanding CEO and this will be a great opportunity to work even more closely with him during our transitional period and beyond. AlixPartners is an extraordinary firm with a bright future and I look forward to what our people and our clients will be able to achieve as we create the next chapter together.”

AlixPartners is a leading global business advisory firm of results-oriented professionals who specialize in creating value and restoring performance at every stage of the business lifecycle. AlixPartners people thrive on the ability to make a difference in high-impact situations and deliver sustainable, bottom-line results.