Pure-play sustainability advisory firm ERM announced today the appointment of Tom Reichert as Chief Executive Officer. Reichert will succeed Keryn James in the role, following James’ announcement of her decision to step down in December.

David McArthur, interim CEO of ERM Group, said:

“Following an extensive global search process, I am delighted to welcome Tom to ERM and am looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow and transform our business in a dynamic and rapidly changing marketplace. Tom’s blend of leadership experience across digital transformation, change management and C-suite advisory will be hugely valuable and is what made him the stand-out choice for this role. His appointment will help us continue on our upward path of growth and client excellence.”

Reichert joins ERM after more than 27 years at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), most recently serving as global leader of DigitalBCG, Global Practice Area Chair, and a member of the firm’s Executive and Operating Committees. He has also served as BCG’s Chair of North America, overseeing operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and as global leader of BCG’s Technology Advantage practice.

Reichert said:

“I am deeply honoured and excited to be joining ERM and its diverse global team of 6000+ purpose-driven consultants. As businesses continue to grapple with the challenge of delivering against sustainability objectives that require fundamental transformation of both strategy and operations, ERM’s value proposition of strategic insight combined with technical excellence is what organisations need now more than ever. I’m looking forward to working with the team to evolve and accelerate the impact we have, building on ERM’s unparalleled track record of 50 years’ market leadership.”

ERM is the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, with a team of over 5,500 in more than 150 offices across over 40 countries. Over the past several months, the firm has been actively expanding its skillset and capabilities in the sustainability and energy transition consulting space, with a series of recent acquisitions, including carbon emissions reduction-focused software solutions provider OPEX Group, specialist energy consultancy and low-carbon technology solutions firm Element Energy, renewable energy consultancy Arcus, Dutch sustainability consulting firm Sustainalize, energy, sustainability strategy consultancy E4tech, renewable energy advisory firm Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), and Canadian sustainability and ESG advisory firm Stratos.

In May 2021, global alternative asset and private equity investor KKR announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in ERM.

Tim Franks, Partner at KKR and Chair of the ERM Board, said:

“The appointment of Tom as ERM’s new CEO marks the next chapter in the firm’s remarkable journey of growth. Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in dealing with some of the major challenges the world is facing today, and ERM is in a critical position to help shape this. Tom’s exceptional consulting track record, coupled with the leading expertise ERM has been building within the business, creates a highly compelling proposition for clients. The Board welcomes Tom to the firm and is excited about the future that he will help develop for ERM and its clients.”