Appointment
Acuity Analytics announced that Jon O'Donnell has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Rob King, who will transition to the role of Chairman at the end of the year.
Succession Details
Rob King will become Chairman following O'Donnell’s appointment and will succeed Philip Gore‑Randall, who retires on 31 December after seven years as Chairman. The changes are part of the group’s succession planning and have full Board and Permira support.
Background of Jon O'Donnell
Jon O'Donnell joined Acuity Analytics as Chief Operating Officer in 2024 after more than 20 years at IBM. At IBM he held senior leadership roles, including leading Business and Technology Consulting divisions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, overseeing up to 15,000 staff and generating $3 billion of annual revenue. He was also a member of IBM Consulting’s global leadership team.
Recent Acquisitions and Investment Programme
The firm’s AI‑enabled expansion programme includes the acquisition of US data consultancy Continuus in October 2026, adding expertise in data strategy, governance and data platforms. This follows the purchase of data and AI specialist Ascent in 2025 and the acquisition of PPA Group, a technology‑led managed services provider to the lending industry, in 2024.
Company Overview
Acuity Analytics, the trading name of Acuity Analytics Knowledge Partners, provides research, data management, analytics and AI‑enabled solutions to financial institutions and corporates. The company employs more than 7,800 analysts, data specialists and technologists across 28 locations and serves over 850 organisations.
Ownership and Funding
The business was spun out from Moody’s Corporation in 2019 after acquisition by Equistone Partners Europe. In January 2023, funds advised by Permira acquired a majority stake, with Equistone retaining a minority holding.
Executive Commentary
Jon O'Donnell stated that clients are making significant AI investment decisions and need partners who can translate technology into sustainable advantage. He emphasized the priority of combining deep financial‑services knowledge with growing AI and data expertise to redesign client workflows and optimise operations. Rob King praised O'Donnell’s technology leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to drive the next stage of growth.