Simon Freakley
Executive Chairman, AlixPartners
This episode will air on Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET
You can’t just mint CEOs or business leaders. They have to learn. The best ones know how to be their best selves in execution of the mission.
Summary
In this week’s episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann is joined by Simon Freakley, Executive Chairman of AlixPartners, one of the world's premier consulting firms. Together, they discuss Simon’s life journey, his remarkable career guiding organizations through their most challenging moments, and his thoughts on today’s unprecedented levels of business disruption.
From a childhood on the English seacoast to leading one of the world's most respected consulting firms, Simon’s life and career have provided him with insights into a diverse variety of industries and geographies. Over the course of his conversation with Alan, Simon shares profound insights on what separates successful leaders in moments of crisis, emphasizing the importance of a “turnaround mindset” that prioritizes effective execution and communication over the quest for perfect strategy. Given the unprecedented rate of change facing today’s CEOs, Simon argues, leaders must become comfortable making increasingly consequential decisions with limited information. The episode also includes discussion of Simon’s passion for the arts, how it has influenced his leadership, and the importance of creativity and human connection to transformational leadership.
Mentions & Resources
Guest Bio
Simon serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of AlixPartners, bringing transformative leadership to businesses facing their most complex challenges. Since taking the reins in 2015, he has orchestrated performance improvement and accelerated transformation projects, leveraging over 30 years of experience in business turnaround, strategic consulting, and stakeholder management.
Simon is known for steering large companies through the intricacies of accelerated change, responding swiftly and decisively to the challenges faced by businesses and stakeholders. As a Chief Restructuring Officer, he has spearheaded financial and operational restructurings on a global scale.
Prior to AlixPartners, Simon served as the CEO of Zolfo Cooper Europe and Kroll Inc., a New York-based corporate investigations and risk consulting firm.
Key engagements and career highlights:
Chief Restructuring Officer for the world's largest independent steel trader, orchestrating financial and operational restructuring across 45 countries.
Led the restructuring of a UK-listed provider of print and digital directory services, negotiating and restructuring indebtedness of £2.2 billion.
Oversaw the financial stabilization and restructuring options for Lithuania's largest national bank.
Simon's leadership extends beyond the corporate landscape; he is actively involved in philanthropic causes. Serving as Chairman of Grange Park Opera and Music Masters, Simon's commitment also includes roles as a Board member for the John Jay College Foundation and Global Screening Services.
His previous Board affiliations include Chairman of the American Friends of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as board roles with the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington and the English National Ballet. Simon's influence spans both the business and cultural realms, leaving an indelible mark on every arena he engages with.
Episode Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded following the episode’s premiere.