The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, announced today that Richard I. Lesser, 52, was reelected for a second three-year term as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2015. Lesser’s reelection comes on the heels of another strong year for BCG, which reported 17 percent global revenue growth and an 8 percent increase in workforce. BCG also shows remarkable consistency as a premier employer, ranking number two this year on the Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. BCG’s emphasis on investment in its people, high-impact client work, a collaborative culture, career flexibility and mobility, extensive training, progressive benefits, and a commitment to social-impact work have all contributed to the consistently strong showing. BCG’s partner group, numbering more than 850, reelected Lesser in a democratic selection process. Each BCG partner, regardless of seniority, has one vote in the CEO election, as well as in other major management decisions. This is a reflection of BCG’s collaborative, nonhierarchical culture.
Continue Brilliantly in Second Term. “I am honored to continue as BCG’s CEO and look forward to partnering with our clients around the world to implement highly customized, innovative solutions and support them as they strive to win in their respective fields,” said Lesser. “Over the last three years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many colleagues across the globe and I remain inspired by our intellectually diverse teams that are driving transformative change, challenging the status quo, delivering greater impact, and expanding the boundaries of what is possible.” Lesser’s priorities for his second term include continuing the firm’s relentless attention to value creation for clients, deepening its expertise and capabilities, and accelerating its talent agenda through a focus on diversity. In Lesser’s first term, the firm opened five new offices worldwide and further established itself as a top global consultancy that challenges established thinking to deliver outstanding, lasting value. BCG was founded in 1963 by the late Bruce Henderson and has been led by just six CEOs during that time.
BCG Ranks Number Two as a Premier Employer. BCG has extended its remarkable streak near the top of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Ranking number two this year, up from number three last year, BCG has made the top five for five years in a row and is one of only two companies to make the top dozen every year since it began participating in 2006. Firm enjoys the highest ranking among consultancies by a wide margin. “One of the allures of working for BCG is the ability to take a Social Impact Leave of Absence for three to 12 months,” Fortune said in its profile of BCG. “In 2014, BCG staffers worked for Techno Serve, the World Food Programme, Clinton Health Access initiative, Education Pioneers, Green Dot, Gates Foundation, Ethiopian Agricultural Agency and Yunus Social Business.” Specific benefits offered by the firm include 100 percent coverage of employees’ health-care premiums, internal fellowships, and tuition reimbursement. BCG has also been recognized for its LGBT-friendly benefits and policies.
Great Place to Work, which provides the research underlying the Fortune ranking, noted in its review of BCG: “Hard work and long hours mark the workplace…but significant compensation and the satisfaction of making an impact provide considerable fulfillment. People are proud of BCG’s over half-century of specialized consulting on business strategy…. Inquisitive problem solvers who are willing to go the extra mile will fit right in.” In terms of perks, Great Place to Work highlighted the firm’s Polaris Award “to project teams that deliver quantifiable results to clients and fun awards to individuals for off-beat or unique reasons like special hobbies or quirks.” Tom Reichert, BCG’s chairman of North America, commented: “The fact that we’ve stayed in the top five for five consecutive years and in the top dozen for ten straight years is a testament to our ongoing commitment to provide unparalleled support, development, and benefits to our team. Attracting top talent and maintaining an environment in which employees can quickly develop have been key to our success and our ability to deliver enormous value to clients. Recognitions like this provide welcome confirmation that our efforts are distinctive and, based on our growth and client retention, highly effective.” With the addition of 800 staff to its global roster in 2014, the firm now employs over 10,500 people worldwide.
This year’s 100 Best Companies list and related stories will appear in the March 15 issue of Fortune, available on newsstands on Monday, March 9, and now online at fortune.com/bestcompanies.
Gemma Tian
About Fortune’s Best Companies Methodology
Fortune partners annually with Great Place to Work® to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America to identify the 100 Best Companies to Work For®. Two-thirds of a company’s survey score is based on the results of the Trust Index© Employee Survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. This survey asks questions related to employees’ attitudes about management’s credibility, overall job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third is based on responses to the Culture Audit©, which includes detailed questionnaires about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring practices, methods of internal communication, training, recognition programs and diversity efforts.
About The Boston Consulting Group
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 81 offices in 45 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.
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