Joanne Taylor Takes the Helm as COO of Ankura Consulting
Ankura Consulting Group, a prominent global player in consulting and advisory services, has made a significant leadership change by appointing Joanne Taylor as its new Chief Operating Officer. This announcement, made on September 8, 2026, highlights the firm's commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities and improving overall performance as it prepares for future growth.
A Veteran Leader with Extensive Experience
Joanne Taylor brings with her an impressive portfolio of over 25 years in the consulting sector. Her experience spans advising boards, private equity sponsors, and providing executive teams with strategic insights aimed at business transformation. At Ankura, she is set to spearhead the firm's day-to-day operations, focusing on sharpening performance and profitability across its global network.
Taylor is expected to play a crucial role in fostering greater collaboration between Ankura’s various business units. Moreover, she will advocate for broader integration of artificial intelligence within the company's operational framework, aiming to establish consistency and excellence in service delivery across all markets.
Kevin Lavin, CEO of Ankura, expressed confidence in Taylor's leadership capabilities. He stated, "Joanne is a proven operational leader with a track record of building the infrastructure and discipline that enable firms to scale. As we enter our next phase of growth, her ability to align our operating model and strengthen enterprise performance will elevate how we run the firm and deliver for our clients."
Taylor's Commitment to Operational Excellence
Having held senior leadership roles in various global consulting and technology organizations, Taylor has led numerous large-scale operational turnarounds and complex transformations. Her recognition in the industry includes being named Mentor of the Year by Consulting Magazine's Women Leaders in Technology. Such accolades underscore her ability not only to navigate challenges but to empower teams and elevate operational standards effectively.
In joining Ankura, Taylor expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I’m honored to join Ankura at such a pivotal moment. I look forward to working with the executive team to strengthen how the firm operates, connect our businesses, and build the modern, technology- and data-driven corporate services that will help Ankura scale with discipline."
About Ankura Consulting Group
Ankura Consulting Group is recognized as a leading global consulting and expert advisory firm that partners with organizations during critical inflection points. The firm's mission — Driving Excellence, Delivered with Humanity™ — reflects its commitment to providing end-to-end solutions across various sectors, including conflict resolution, performance improvement, risk management, strategy development, and transformation.
With a workforce exceeding 2,000 professionals and a service engagement with more than 3,000 clients worldwide, Ankura prides itself on its deep industry insights, collaborative problem-solving approaches, and innovative strategies that assist clients in safeguarding, creating, and recovering value.
For more details on Ankura and its services, please visit
ankura.com.