Skarbek Associates, the strategy implementation consultancy, has announced the appointment of Ian Pontefract as its new chairman.
Pontefract joins Skarbek following a 35-year career with KPMG. He was a founding member of their transaction services business. As a UK Partner since 1999, he played a key role in delivering on its successful growth strategy. This included seeing its headcount increase from a team of around 10 to over 600 consultants.
Ian’s focus was primarily asset management and private equity. He was involved in many, often complex, transactions, helping corporate clients and private equity houses to buy, sell and refinance companies.
Pontefract brings to Skarbek a deep expertise in both growing a consultancy business, as well as driving value for clients across a broad range of sectors. He replaces Sir David Wright GCMG LVO as chairman. Wright remains with Skarbek as a senior advisor.
Commenting, Skarbek Associates CEO, Paul Heugh, said: “It is great to be welcoming Ian Pontefract as Skarbek Associates’ new Chairman. Ian brings three decades of experience in driving growth in a fast paced, outcomes focused, consulting environment. We are excited about Ian’s contribution as we look to maintain the momentum we are enjoying as we help devise and implement strategies for a wide range of companies. We are currently extremely active with our clients across the consumer healthcare, pharmaceutical, FMCG, luxury and professional services sectors, giving us real grounds to be upbeat about our prospects for 2023 and beyond.
“I would like to thank Sir David Wright for all his invaluable support as Skarbek’s Chairman over the last five years. He has been a constant and indefatigable source of wise counsel and we look forward to his continuing support in his new role as Senior Advisor.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pontefract said: “Skarbek has already firmly established itself as a leader in its field and I look forward to supporting Paul and the team to build on the success they have enjoyed to date. The market opportunity is considerable for the consultancy that has the right team, experience and ethos, all of which drew me to the opportunity. I am delighted to be joining a board comprising such an arsenal of talent.”
