Veteran consulting exec Ken Toombs to lead PA Consulting's Americas team
Ken Toombs will join London-based management and technology advisory firm PA Consulting as its Americas leader. The Raleigh, NC–based consulting industry executive brings over 30 years of management consulting experience to the role.
In his new role, Ken Toombs will guide PA Consulting’s Americas business – which includes experts in Boston, New York, Princeton, Denver, Los Angeles, and Mexico City. Additionally, Toombs will oversee the firm’s global healthcare, life sciences, and energy and utilities sectors, while also serving on the company Board.
"I'm delighted to be joining PA Consulting,” commented Toombs. “I have worked for over 30 years in mainstream management consulting, so I know the industry inside-out. PA is unique in the market for its focus on innovation and its reputation for converting brilliant ideas into enduring business results.” The tech-savvy firm is currently supporting innovations like Virgin Hyperloop One and the development of the world’s biggest battery, among other ground-breaking initiatives. PA has over 2,600 specialists working across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.
Before joining the firm, Toombs was Global Head of Infosys Consulting, the Fremont, CA–based management consulting practice within Indian IT and managed services giant Infosys. While there, he led a team of over 3,000 global consultants, refreshing the firm’s operating model while launching new service offerings.
Prior to that, Toombs was CEO of Capgemini’s North America consulting business, where he launched a transformation growth initiative and served as the editor of the tech consultancy’s Digital Transformation Review. Before that, he held senior roles at IBM/PwC and Monitor Group.
Toombs is a leading expert in strategic development, new venture creation, M&A/post-merger integration, and organization design. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, as well as a BS in accounting and management from the University of Southern California.
Commenting on the appointment, PA Consulting CEO Alan Middleton said, “[Ken Toombs’] outstanding track record and his world-class leadership skills made him the stand-out candidate following an extensive and rigorous search process. He will lead PA's strong Americas management team to accelerate our growth, identify great talent at all levels, build our brand, and bring our clients new and ingenious opportunities to grow.”
Toombs, meanwhile, is excited to work with the innovative firm. “PA is uniquely placed to offer clients ingenious solutions to the challenges of global technology disruption and I am excited to be part of this team. My decision to join PA was based on PA's market leading reputation, the strong cultural fit, and a shared purpose in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future."
Toombs’ appointment follows a period of growth activity at PA Consulting, including the acquisition of Boston-based innovation and design agency Essential Design. The firm also recently added digital service design firm We are Friday and digital customer insight firm Sparkler in the UK.
