ERM appoints Bill Theofilou as executive chair
Sustainability consultancy ERM has announced the appointment of Bill Theofilou as executive chair. CEO Tom Reichert noted that he was looking forward “to working closely together” as the firm helps its partners respond to fast changing client and regulatory expectations.
Reichert continued, “Bill is a highly respected advisor to CEOs and boards, with a rare combination of strategic insight and practical experience in growing and increasing impact of professional services organizations. As our clients navigate increasingly complex regulatory and transformation challenges, Bill’s perspective will be an enormous asset to ERM and to those we serve.”
Despite a challenging year of political pushback in some regions – particularly by the US government – strengthening climate regulation remains something businesses need to be aware of globally. In the UK, political challenges remain in meeting climate and sustainability goals. While the roadmap to net zero by 2050 remains legally binding, recent court rulings have exposed gaps in delivery plans, forcing revisions – which businesses will need to respond to, to remain compliant. Meanwhile, across the EU, 2026 begins with changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive coming into effect.
With ERM’s clients working to meet with these new challenges, as executive chair, Theofilou will work closely with ERM’s Board, executive leadership team and global partners to help shape the firm’s strategic direction, drawing on his extensive experience in professional services to support ERM’s growth initiatives and continued evolution to meet the needs of its global client base.
Speaking on his new role, Theofilou remarked, “ERM’s reputation and leadership in sustainability are unmatched, and this is an exciting moment to join the firm. As sustainability becomes more deeply embedded in business strategy and execution, organizations are seeking advice that connects ambition with real-world delivery. I look forward to working with Tom, the board and ERM’s global experts to further strengthen the firm’s position as the preeminent sustainability partner to the world’s leading organisations.”
As a highly experienced corporate leader, Theofilou brings deep executive and non-executive expertise across consulting, advisory services and a range of other sectors. He founded and led Axia, a US-based strategy consulting firm, until its acquisition by Accenture in 2015, and subsequently spent eight years as a senior managing director leading Accenture’s global CEO advisory practice.
Rami Bibi, head of Europe for global impact at KKR, the investment firm backing ERM’s growth, added, “We are delighted to welcome Bill as Executive Chair of ERM. His experience advising boards and executive teams at pivotal moments of change will be invaluable as ERM continues to scale and evolve. We are long-term believers in ERM’s growth story and look forward to working with Bill as the firm enters its next phase.”
