Acuity Analytics Names Ex-IBM Executive CEO
Clients and competitors of data consultancies should watch how the new CEO steers acquisitions and integration.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
Acuity Analytics has appointed Jon O'Donnell as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Rob King will become Chairman at the end of 2026, succeeding Philip Gore-Randall, who retires on 31 December.
Why it matters
The leadership changes come as Acuity Analytics broadens its insights and analytics business to help clients redesign how they operate. The appointments were made as part of the group's succession planning, with the full support of the Board and Permira.
Acuity Analytics reports about 7,800 analysts, data specialists and technologists across 28 locations, serving 850 organisations. Jon O'Donnell previously led an IBM division of roughly 15,000 people and about $3 billion in annual revenue over a 20-year tenure at the company.
The players
Acuity Analytics
A London-based data and analytics firm with 7,800 staff across 28 locations that helps clients redesign how they operate.
Jon O'Donnell
Newly appointed CEO of Acuity Analytics, formerly its Chief Operating Officer and a 20-year IBM veteran who led a 15,000-person division.
Rob King
Incoming Chairman of Acuity Analytics, succeeding Philip Gore-Randall at the end of 2026.
Philip Gore-Randall
Outgoing Chairman of Acuity Analytics, retiring 31 December 2026 after seven years in the role.
Permira
A private equity investor whose support the leadership appointments carry, according to the announcement.
The details
Jon O'Donnell formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of Acuity Analytics, having joined in 2024 alongside the PPA Group acquisition. The group has built its footprint through acquisitions, including Ascent in 2025 and Continuus, a US data consultancy, in October 2026. Acuity was established as a separate business from Moody's Corporation in 2019. Rob King will take the Chairman role at year-end, when Philip Gore-Randall retires after seven years.
Timeline
2019: Acuity Analytics separates from Moody's Corporation.
2024: Jon O'Donnell joins as Chief Operating Officer and PPA Group is acquired.
2025: Acuity Analytics acquires Ascent.
October 2026: Continuus acquisition completed.
4 November 2026: O'Donnell appointed CEO, effective immediately.
Market Landscape
Acuity Analytics has grown from its 2019 separation from Moody's Corporation through a run of acquisitions including PPA Group, Ascent and Continuus. The new leadership continues an acquisition-led path toward insights and analytics consulting.
Operators who work with or compete against Acuity Analytics should expect continuity in strategy as the company's leadership shifts from its outgoing Chairman to a new CEO and Chairman. Clients and vendors tracking the firm's acquisition pace may watch whether the Continuus integration shapes the next phase.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at acquisition-driven analytics firms often signal the next phase of integration, so track how Acuity folds Continuus into its consulting offer. File the 31 December 2026 Chairman handover as the next checkpoint for governance changes.
What happens next
Philip Gore-Randall retires as Chairman on 31 December 2026, when Rob King takes over the role.
Further reading
For more on how executive moves shape companies, see our People coverage.
