BritishAmerican Business is delighted to welcome Simon Freakley, CEO, AlixPartners for an executive roundtable. Simon will lead a conversation and share his insights on the 2021 AlixPartners Disruption Index, which tracks the magnitude and complexity of disruption’s impact on businesses and examines the forces affecting industries and how organizations/ leaders are responding. He will also speak on the mindset it takes to thrive in a time of disruption. After Simon’s remarks, the session will be open to discussion around the table.

By way of background, BAB’s executive roundtable series regularly features some of the world’s leading chairs and chief executives who we invite to lead a discussion for a group of around 25 senior business leaders on key issues of importance to British and American business.  The event operates under Chatham House Rule and provides a valuable opportunity for dialogue amongst global business and government leaders.

Meet the Speaker:

Simon leads large companies through the complexities of accelerated business transformation.

He is AlixPartners’ Chief Executive Officer and a member of the firm’s board of directors.

In his more than 30 years of extensive experience in advising clients, Simon has combined his skills in business turnaround, strategic consulting, and mediation in the development and implementation of accelerated business transformations.

He was previously CEO of global firm Kroll Inc., whose 65 offices in 33 countries generate an annual turnover of $1 billion.

Simon is Chairman of Grange Park Opera, London Music Masters, and the American Friends of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and was formerly Chairman of Dulwich Picture Gallery. He is also on the Board of NABU. Simon was formerly on the Board of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington and the English National Ballet.

Duncan Edwards,
CEO, BritishAmerican Business

Duncan Edwards is the chief executive of BritishAmerican Business, the leading transatlantic trade organization of some 450 companies, which has an ongoing mission to support policies which protect and enhance the environment for trade and investment in, and between, the USA and the UK.  He is a regular contributor to policy debates and is a frequent media commentator on US UK relations.

Prior to this, Duncan Edwards spent over 30 years as a media executive in London and New York of which 27 years were spent at the Hearst Corporation.  His most recent role at Hearst was president and ceo of the international magazine and digital media company, a business with activities in more than 60 countries which he led to record levels through acquisition and organic growth.

A British citizen, he currently lives in New York and Connecticut where he can often be found on long runs in the hills.