Acuity Analytics Names Jon O'Donnell CEO
The London-based data and analytics firm has appointed its former chief operating officer as chief executive, with Rob King to succeed Philip Gore-Randall as chairman.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
Acuity Analytics has appointed Jon O'Donnell as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, promoting him from Chief Operating Officer. Rob King will become Chairman at the end of 2026, succeeding Philip Gore-Randall, who retires on 31 December after seven years in the role.
Why it matters
The leadership change is part of the group's succession planning and comes as Acuity Analytics broadens its insights and analytics business to help clients redesign how they operate. The appointments have the full support of the Board and Permira.
Acuity Analytics employs 7,800 analysts, data specialists and technologists across 28 global locations and supports 850 clients. O'Donnell previously led an IBM division of 15,000 people generating roughly $3 billion in annual revenue, though the announcement does not address planned changes to that scale.
The players
Acuity Analytics
A London-based data and analytics firm formerly part of Moody's Corporation, now backed by Permira and focused on insights and analytics services for global clients.
Jon O'Donnell
A former IBM executive with more than 20 years at the company who led a 15,000-person division before joining Acuity Analytics as chief operating officer in 2024.
Rob King
Named to succeed Philip Gore-Randall as Chairman of Acuity Analytics at the end of 2026, taking over the board leadership role.
Philip Gore-Randall
The outgoing Chairman of Acuity Analytics, retiring on 31 December 2026 after seven years leading the board.
The details
Jon O'Donnell joined Acuity Analytics as Chief Operating Officer in 2024 after more than 20 years at IBM. He is now promoted to lead the firm, while Rob King, who will take the Chairman role at year end, succeeds Philip Gore-Randall, who retires on 31 December 2026 after seven years as Chairman.
Timeline
2019: Acuity Analytics separated from Moody's Corporation as an independent business.
2024: Jon O'Donnell joined as Chief Operating Officer and the firm acquired PPA Group.
2025: Acuity Analytics acquired data and AI specialist Ascent.
October 2026: Acuity Analytics completed its acquisition of US data consultancy Continuus.
4 November 2026: O'Donnell appointed Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
Market Landscape
Acuity Analytics was separated from Moody's Corporation in 2019 and has since grown through the acquisitions of PPA Group, Ascent and Continuus. The leadership change extends its development as an independent data and analytics business competing in the insights sector.
Clients of Acuity Analytics are unlikely to see immediate changes to services from this leadership update. The transition concerns internal succession at the firm rather than any announced change to pricing or product availability.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at data firms often signal a shift in strategy toward insights and analytics, so watch for how the new CEO and chairman direct the company's acquisitions and client offerings. Stakeholders should track announcements from the board in the coming months for further direction.
What happens next
Rob King takes over as Chairman at the end of 2026, when Philip Gore-Randall retires on 31 December.
Further reading
For more on executive moves and leadership changes across the industry, see People.
