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John P Connolly

Chairman and Strategic Business Advisor

London, UK

John P Connolly
Geoffrey Coley
Cancer Research Institute
Craig Copeland
WillU Financial Group

John P Connolly’s Biography

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John P Connolly is a British businessman, Chairman and Strategic Business Advisor. He was Managing Partner of Deloitte UK, then CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Deloitte Global Organisation. Later he served as Chairman of two FTSE companies, Amec Foster Wheeler and G4S. He has chaired Metric Capital Partners since its inception.

During his tenure as Deloitte CEO, he led the firm to become the most successful Big 4 Firm with a huge period of significant growth, including multiple mergers and acquisitions. Most notably, the acquisition of Arthur Andersen and leading the decision to retain consulting globally when the other Big 4 firms exited that market. Growth was markedly ahead of other Big 4 firms and Deloitte’s superior profitability in that period has still not been matched by any market participant.

John has chaired a range of private equity-backed businesses and non-profit organisations. Current Chair roles include Eisner Advisory Group, Interpath Advisory Group and Stonehage Fleming. He also chaired and led the exits of several PE-backed businesses in the... John P Connolly is a British businessman, Chairman and Strategic Business Advisor. He was Managing Partner of Deloitte UK, then CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Deloitte Global Organisation. Later he served as Chairman of two FTSE companies, Amec Foster Wheeler and G4S. He has chaired Metric Capital Partners since its inception.

During his tenure as Deloitte CEO, he led the firm to become the most successful Big 4 Firm with a huge period of significant growth, including multiple mergers and acquisitions. Most notably, the acquisition of Arthur Andersen and leading the decision to retain consulting globally when the other Big 4 firms exited that market. Growth was markedly ahead of other Big 4 firms and Deloitte’s superior profitability in that period has still not been matched by any market participant.

John has chaired a range of private equity-backed businesses and non-profit organisations. Current Chair roles include Eisner Advisory Group, Interpath Advisory Group and Stonehage Fleming. He also chaired and led the exits of several PE-backed businesses in the US, UK and Channel Islands. He chaired Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and was a member of the Board of Trustees of The London Business School.

John has specialised in leading professional services businesses. In 2021 he led a major development in the US Accounting and Advisory Services Market, bringing private equity backing to Eisner Advisory Group and creating a platform to build a major market participant through high organic and M&A growth. In 2016 he co-founded Azets/Cogital—now a major firm in the UK and Nordic countries—with a leading PE firm. He is named on the Times 100 Power List for his impact in the accountancy sector.

Outside of business, John’s primary interest is his family. He and his wife own The White Horse Inn on the South Downs in Sussex. He authored children’s book The Blue Monkey, owns racehorses and is a Man Utd season ticket holder. moreless

John P Connolly’s Background

Eisner Advisory Group logo Eisner Advisory Group logo
Eisner Advisory Group
Chairman
Aug 2021 - Present
New York, NY, USA
Originally founded in 1965, Eisner Advisory Group, now backed by Towerbrook Capital Partners, is one of the larger accounting, tax, business advisory and outsourcing firms in the United States, with over 2,000 staff and over 200 partners across the US and India.
 
Interpath Advisory Group logo Interpath Advisory Group logo
Interpath Advisory Group
Chairman
May 2021 - Present
London, UK
Acquired by the partners and HIG Capital from KPMG, Interpath is a multi-speciality advisory and financial advisory firm.
 
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John P Connolly’s Gallery

John P Connolly in a suit at his desk.
John Connolly receiving the Royal Hunt cup at Ascot.
John P Connolly alongside the other Directors at G4S when he served as Chairman.
John Connolly holding his first children’s book which he wrote.
John P Connolly in a meeting.
John Connolly and his wife Odile Griffith attending the opening of the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children.
John P Connolly as founder of CogitalGroup with Hg Capital
John with the Dean of London Business School and Sir John Ritblat on the day that he received his Honorary Fellowship.
John P Connolly in a suit at his desk. John Connolly receiving the Royal Hunt cup at Ascot. John P Connolly alongside the other Directors at G4S when he served as Chairman. John Connolly holding his first children’s book which he wrote. John P Connolly in a meeting. John Connolly and his wife Odile Griffith attending the opening of the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children. John P Connolly as founder of CogitalGroup with Hg Capital John with the Dean of London Business School and Sir John Ritblat on the day that he received his Honorary Fellowship.

Other Business Interests

The White Horse Inn logo The White Horse Inn logo
The White Horse Inn
Co-owner
2019 - Present
Sutton, UK
John and his wife, Odile, own The White Horse Inn which is located in Sutton, a village in the heart of the beautiful South Downs National park, and is the epitome of an English pub. With eight bedrooms, all en suite, and a stunning garden, this 18th Century free house is the perfect place to eat, drink and stay in West Sussex.
 
RKR Projects Limited logo RKR Projects Limited logo
RKR Projects Limited
Co-owner
London, UK
RKR Projects Limited is a residential property development company owned by John and his wife, Odile.
 

Previous Board Positions

G4S Global logo G4S Global logo
G4S Global
Chairman
Jan 2012 - May 2021
London, UK
G4S is now part of US headquartered global security company, Allied Universal, following its acquisition in 2021.
 
CogitalGroup (Azets) logo CogitalGroup (Azets) logo
CogitalGroup (Azets)
Founder
Dec 2016 - Mar 2020
London, UK
Co-founded by John in 2016, along with HGCapital, CogitalGroup (now Azets) is an international business services and advisory firm operating under two brands - Azets and Blick Rothenberg.
 
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Features

Multi-family office Stonehage Fleming hires new chairman logo Multi-family office Stonehage Fleming hires new chairman logo
Multi-family office Stonehage Fleming hires new chairman
Feature
Oct 2019
London, UK
Private Banker International highlights the appointment of John to the position of Chairman at Stonehage Fleming, a multi-family office with interests across the globe.
 
Local friends join forces to acquire Sutton pub with rooms and bring business back to life logo Local friends join forces to acquire Sutton pub with rooms and bring business back to life logo
Local friends join forces to acquire Sutton pub with rooms and bring business back to life
Feature
Jul 2019
Sutton, UK
John and his wife are featured in a profile on the newly acquired and refurbished White Horse Inn, a pub and boutique hotel in Sutton.
 

Awards & Recognition

Managing Partners’ Forum Awards logo Managing Partners’ Forum Awards logo
Managing Partners’ Forum Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
2010
London, UK
In 2010, John P Connolly was awarded MPF’s Lifetime Achievement Award for making a significant and sustained improvement to the leadership and management of Deloitte.
 
The Next 20 Names to Watch logo The Next 20 Names to Watch logo
The Next 20 Names to Watch
Featured
2009
London, UK
In 2009, John featured in GQ Magazine's '100 Most Powerful Men 2009, as one of 'The Next 20 Names to Watch in 2009'.
 
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Fellowships

London Business School logo London Business School logo
London Business School
Honorary Fellow
London, UK
In 2012, John P Connolly was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from London Business School.