Jon O'Donnell becomes Acuity Analytics CEO
Jon O'Donnell has taken over as CEO of Acuity Analytics with immediate effect. The Permira-backed financial services specialist will continue expanding its AI, data and digital capabilities through acquisitions and organic investment.
- Jon O'Donnell has become Acuity Analytics CEO with immediate effect.
- Rob King will continue as chairman of the board at the end of the year.
- The company acquired US-based Continuus in October 2026.
- Acuity Analytics employs more than 7,800 professionals across 28 locations.
- The company supports more than 850 organizations.
Leadership change at Acuity Analytics
Acuity Analytics announced Jon O'Donnell's appointment on November 4. The new CEO was previously the company's chief operating officer, a position he had held since 2024. O'Donnell succeeds Rob King, who will become chairman of the board at the end of the year.
King succeeds Philip Gore-Randall as chairman. Gore-Randall will retire on December 31 after serving as Acuity Analytics chairman for seven years. The appointments are part of the group's succession planning and have the full backing of the board and Permira.
King led the company following its 2019 separation from Moody's and throughout the subsequent period of expansion. As chairman, he will oversee the board's work, support O'Donnell and the leadership team, and remain involved in selected investor and client relationships.
Continuing growth with IBM experience
Jon O'Donnell spent more than 20 years at IBM, where he previously held leadership and consulting roles. He led IBM's business and technology consulting divisions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. These organizations employed up to 15,000 people and generated annual revenue of as much as $3 billion. O'Donnell was also a member of IBM Consulting's global leadership team.
At Acuity Analytics, he has recently worked with the leadership team on its strategy, the rapid growth of its AI, data and digital services, and technology and artificial intelligence innovation. According to the company, these capabilities will underpin the group's next phase of growth.
O'Donnell said clients are making significant decisions about where to invest in AI and how to transform their operations. The CEO's priority is to combine the company's financial services expertise with its data and AI capabilities to help clients redesign workflows, optimize operations and derive greater value from their technology investments.
AI and data business expands through acquisitions
As part of its investment program, Acuity Analytics acquired US data consultancy Continuus in October 2026. The deal added specialists in data strategy, data governance and data platforms to the group.
Before that, in 2025, the company acquired data and AI specialist Ascent. In 2024, PPA Group joined the group. It provides technology-enabled managed services to the lending industry.
Acuity Analytics provides research, data management, analytics and AI-powered solutions to financial institutions and businesses. The company employs more than 7,800 analysts, data specialists and technology professionals across 28 locations, and supports more than 850 organizations.
What the leadership change means for clients
According to the announcement, Acuity Analytics is expanding its business intelligence and analytics activities so that its financial services clients can redesign their operations by connecting AI, data and digital transformation. Under O'Donnell's leadership, the company will build its next phase of growth around the combination of financial services expertise, data management and artificial intelligence.
Acuity Analytics became a separate business from Moody's Corporation in 2019 following its acquisition by Equistone Partners Europe. In January 2023, funds advised by Permira acquired a majority stake, while Equistone remained a minority investor.
