CIL appoints Axel Leichum as lead partner for North America
Axel Leichum has joined UK-origin CIL Management Consultants to lead its operations in North America.
CIL Management Consultants launched in the US in November 2018, picking Chicago as its US base and first locale outside of the UK. The office – led by Principal Rebecca Pigula – has since seen strong growth, winning a range of mandates in the area of corporate strategy, market reviews and commercial due diligence across a range of sectors.
Private equity has been the firm’s focal industry vertical, said Pigula. “Our focus on private equity, understanding of investment considerations, evidence-driven approach, and deep sector insight are all aspects that have been well-received in the US.”
As the firm aims to embark on its next phase of growth in the US, Axel Leichum has been brought on board to spearhead its plans. Leichum has 15+ years in leadership roles in management consulting with a focus on growth strategy, and has been appointed lead partner for North America. He will work closely with Rebecca Pigula and the firm’s other senior advisors in Chicago.
Leichum joins from Chicago-based boutique strategic consultancy Blue Canyon Partners, where he was a partner. Prior to his 18 years at Blue Canyon Partners, he worked for Booz Allen Hamilton.
Giles Johnson, managing partner at CIL Management Consultants, said: “Axel’s appointment demonstrates our ongoing investment in growing our North American practice, despite challenging market conditions. Axel’s expertise will support CIL in further scaling its international capability and drive increased demand for our services across a diverse range of industry sectors.”
Leichum’s track record includes delivering strategy (market studies, commercial due diligence, business planning) and management consultancy (pricing, transformation, organisation dezign) engagements in: IT hardware and software, wholesale distribution, telecommunication, aerospace, electrical equipment, healthcare, commercial and personal vehicles, alternative energy, automation and control, and distributed power equipment.
Axel Leichum received his MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and holds a BA in Economics with departmental honors from Northwestern University.
