Jack Freker new CEO of revived consultancy Buck

Having returned to independence after some 20 years, HR advisory firm Buck has appointed a new CEO to take the company forward. Jack Freker arrives from YP Print Media where he had spent the past three years as CEO and President.

The consultancy formerly known as Buck has burst back onto the scene in recent months, having regained its independence via a private equity injection. The firm was acquired by Mellon in 1997, then ACS in 2005, and then Xerox 2010. After Xerox spun off its professional arm into Conduent last year, Buck became Conduent HR Services. 

In May, Conduent sold its HR Services divisions in the US, Canada, and the UK to H.I.G Capital. These businesses represented $278 million of the company's 2017 revenue, and now, as the HR consulting firm aims for rapid expansion financed by the private equity investment, their backers will hope to tap into the profitability of the fast-growing management consulting market.

Now, the business – which has rebranded from Conduent HR Services to Buck – has announced it will be led globally by chief executive Jack Freker, who has joined the firm as a result of the deal. He has led a number of companies over his career, and was most recently the chief executive officer of media business YP/Print Media. Prior to that, from 2011 to 2013, he led First Advantage of Florida, a global provider of employee background screening, talent acquisition, and identity verification. He was also President and COO of the New York-based business process outsourcing firm Zenta from 2006 to 2011.

Commenting on the challenge ahead for the revived Buck brand, Freker said, "We are well-positioned to grow across all aspects of our business. With global scale and best-in-class technology, combined with our deep bench of experienced and passionate professionals, we are proud to continue serving as a trusted partner to our clients. Buck is uniquely positioned amongst its competitors as a nimble, agile and client-centric provider for customised solutions to drive positive health, wealth and career outcomes for employees."

Commenting on the completion of the deal which sees Buck return to independence, H.I.G. Capital Managing Director Matt Lozow added, "Buck is an excellent platform within the integrated HR consulting and outsourcing space. We've invested in an exciting organization with a full suite of services, differentiated technology, global scale, an exceptionally talented group of employees and leaders and unparalleled client tenure.”