Pearl Meyer is expanding its Leadership Advisory practice through strategic acquisitions and senior lateral hires, aiming to deepen its support for private equity sponsors and PE-backed companies as they navigate key moments across the investment lifecycle.
The executive compensation and leadership consulting firm said it has acquired Ampersand Leadership Group, a boutique leadership advisory consultancy founded in 2010. Pearl Meyer described Ampersand as widely respected for quality and client service, and said the transaction adds a team of leadership specialists and additional capabilities that align with the firm’s broader push to link leadership advisory work to business strategy.
Pearl Meyer also said recent hires have increased the Leadership Advisory practice by 60%, including the addition of industry veteran David T. Clary, who will lead the expanded group as a managing director. Alongside Clary, the firm added three other senior leadership advisory practitioners from prominent consultancies.
As part of the Ampersand team joining Pearl Meyer, the firm is adding Managing Directors Matthew Richburg, Kimberly Kroll, and Gail Wise, along with Principal Annie Czarnecki. Pearl Meyer positioned these additions as complementary to its earlier acquisition of Blake Street Group and its Private Equity leaders, Andy Rourke and Carrie Jablonski, Co-Heads of Private Equity. The firm said the combined platform is intended to provide PE sponsors and portfolio companies with services including human capital due diligence, organizational reviews, leadership development programs, and executive coaching.
Pearl Meyer framed the expansion as an effort to strengthen its role as a leadership advisor to boards, PE sponsors, and CEOs, particularly on critical people decisions tied to business strategy and value creation.
KEY QUOTES:
“This wonderful influx of talent and capabilities significantly enhances our firm’s ability to support private equity sponsors and portfolio company boards at critical inflection points across the investment lifecycle.”
“With their focus on linking leadership advisory work to business strategy, Ampersand was an ideal fit for Pearl Meyer, given our similar approach to executive compensation and leadership advisory services.”
Beth Florin, Chief Executive Officer, Pearl Meyer
“Pearl Meyer’s continuing investment in leadership advisory expertise illustrates the firm’s strong commitment to supporting executive talent. It is well documented that leadership and talent remain at the core of successful PE investments; these additions enable us to better serve the most discerning PE sponsors and their most valuable portfolio companies.”
David T. Clary, Managing Director, Pearl Meyer
“My colleagues and I are thrilled to be joining Pearl Meyer. Our blended capabilities will only enhance our ability to provide investors and CEOs with clear, insightful recommendations around critical leadership decisions.”
Matthew Richburg, Co-Founder, Ampersand Leadership Group
