Global sustainability advisory firm ERM has appointed Bill Theofilou as its new Executive Chair, strengthening the firm’s leadership as clients face rising regulatory pressure and increasingly complex sustainability-led transformations.

Theofilou joins ERM following a long career advising senior executives and boards on strategy, growth, and large-scale organizational change. He founded the US-based strategy consultancy Axia and led the firm until its acquisition by Accenture in 2015. After the acquisition, he spent eight years as a Senior Managing Director at Accenture, where he led the firm’s global CEO advisory practice, working closely with top leadership teams across sectors during periods of structural and market disruption.

Beyond his advisory work, Theofilou brings extensive board-level experience. He currently serves on the boards of Twoday, a European digital transformation consultancy, Akumin, a US-based advanced imaging services provider, and healthcare and artificial intelligence-focused organizations Precision Medicine Group and Dyania Health. This mix of technology, healthcare, and digital services exposure aligns with the expanding scope of sustainability advisory work, which increasingly intersects with data, innovation, and operational execution.

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ERM’s leadership framed the appointment as a strategic move to support clients navigating a more demanding sustainability landscape. Chief Executive Officer Tom Reichert said Theofilou brings a rare combination of strategic perspective and hands-on experience in scaling professional services firms. As regulatory requirements tighten and transformation agendas accelerate, Reichert noted that Theofilou’s insight will support both ERM’s clients and its own growth trajectory.

In his role as Executive Chair, Theofilou will work closely with ERM’s board and executive leadership team to help shape the firm’s long-term strategic direction. His remit includes supporting growth initiatives and strengthening ERM’s ability to deliver sustainability solutions that connect high-level ambition with practical implementation across complex global organizations.

Theofilou described the timing of his appointment as significant, pointing to the way sustainability is becoming embedded in core business strategy rather than treated as a standalone function. He emphasized that companies are increasingly seeking advice that translates sustainability commitments into measurable action, execution, and outcomes across operations and value chains.

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The appointment was also welcomed by ERM’s majority shareholder, KKR, which acquired a controlling stake in the firm in 2021. Rami Bibi, Managing Director and Head of Europe for Global Impact at KKR, highlighted Theofilou’s experience advising boards and executive teams during pivotal moments of change, describing it as an important asset as ERM continues to scale its global platform.

The leadership change comes as demand for sustainability advisory services grows across industries, driven by new disclosure rules, climate transition planning, supply chain regulation, and investor scrutiny. With Theofilou stepping into the Executive Chair role, ERM is positioning itself to deepen its influence with senior decision-makers and reinforce its role as a strategic partner for organizations navigating sustainability as a core business challenge rather than a compliance exercise.

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