4 Feb 2025 / New York, NY, USA – FGS Global (“FGS” or the “Company”), the leading global communications and public affairs consultancy, today announced an update to its governance structure to support the execution of its long-term growth plan. This announcement follows the completion of FGS' acquisition by KKR, a leading global investment firm, in December of last year.
FGS has created a newly formed Global Shareholder Committee, chaired by Roland Rudd, which will serve as the highest decision-making body of the firm with regards to its long-term strategy. From April 21, 2025, the Global Executive Board, focused on the oversight of strategy execution, will be chaired by a newly appointed independent director, Homayoun Hatami, Senior Partner, and member of the Board of Directors at McKinsey & Company. Alexander Geiser, Chief Executive Officer of FGS, will be a member of both bodies, leading the firm’s partnership via the Executive Committee.
Homayoun Hatami is a seasoned boardroom advisor, with deep experience supporting global companies and CEOs in the services, technology, media, and luxury sectors. Most recently, he was the global leader of McKinsey’s Capabilities Practices and is a member of the Shareholders Council, McKinsey’s Board of Directors.
Roland Rudd, Chair of the Shareholder Committee, said, “As we embark on the next phase of growth with KKR alongside us as majority shareholder, our top priority is accelerated growth that delivers more for our clients. We are going to benefit hugely from Homayoun’s immense experience in leading one of the world’s most successful consultancies, as well as advising leading global companies on their growth strategies.”
Philipp Freise, Partner and Co-Head of European Private Equity at KKR, said, “FGS has grown to be one of the largest strategic communications and public affairs firms in the world with unparalleled expertise across its global offices. I am incredibly pleased that Homayoun Hatami, one of the most respected leaders in the global consulting industry, has chosen to join as independent Chair of the Global Executive Board.”
Alexander Geiser, Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am looking forward to collaborating with Homayoun as we pursue our growth strategy. Our partnership is fully focused on working towards our long-term vision of becoming the undisputed global leader in our sector by helping our clients lead, influence and win in decisive moments.“
Homayoun Hatami said, “FGS offers an unmatched value proposition for leaders and companies that are seeking strategic communications and public affairs advice. I am excited to support Roland, Alex and the executive team, and to work with KKR, on shaping FGS into the undisputed leader in the communications and public affairs consulting space.”
About Homayoun Hatami
Homayoun is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Most recently, he was the global leader of McKinsey’s Capabilities Practices. His client service is focused on helping companies drive above-market growth through innovation, new business building, technology, and novel marketing and sales approaches. He serves CEOs and their teams in the services, technology, media, and luxury sectors.
Until July 2024, he led McKinsey’s Capabilities practices worldwide, which include functional and growth platform practices, as well as McKinsey’s software solution portfolio. His mission in that role was to lead and orchestrate McKinsey’s Capabilities practices so they bring the best of McKinsey’s expertise, data and solutions to clients, and to shape future capabilities to meet clients’ evolving needs.
He is a member of McKinsey’s Shareholders Council (board of directors). Until July 2024, he was a member of McKinsey’s global executive leadership team. Homayoun previously served as the managing partner of McKinsey’s French office, and before that as managing partner of McKinsey’s Marketing & Sales Practice in EMEA.
He started at McKinsey in 2000 in Boston. After around 10 years in the US (MBA included), he moved back to France in 2007. He has served CEOs in over 30 countries in his 25 years with McKinsey & Company.
He has been a member of the MIT Corporation (the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). He received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he was awarded the Seley Scholarship, Sloan’s highest merit award. He also has a Master of Science in Computer Science from Ecole Centrale Paris.
About FGS
FGS Global is the preeminent global communications and public affairs consultancy, with approximately 1,400 professionals around the world, advising clients in navigating complex stakeholder situations and reputational challenges. FGS was formed from the combination of Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener and Sard Verbinnen & Co to offer board-level and C-suite counsel in all aspects of strategic communications — including corporate reputation, crisis management, and public affairs and is also the leading force in financial communications worldwide.
FGS offers seamless and integrated support with offices in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Brussels, Calgary, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Kingston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, South Florida, The Hague, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, D.C., and Zurich. The firm is headquartered in New York.
FGS is consistently ranked a Band 1 PR firm for Crisis & Risk Management and for Litigation Support by Chambers and Partners. For the second year, FGS was ranked #1 Global M&A PR firm by Deal Count and Value in 2023 by Mergermarket.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.
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