Kroll Taps AlixPartners Veteran Fred Crawford as Executive Chairman to Drive Growth

Event summary

  • Fred Crawford, former CEO of AlixPartners, appointed Executive Chairman of Kroll effective May 18, 2026.
  • Noah Gottdiener transitions to Founding Chairman role, remaining involved in long-term strategy.
  • Crawford to focus on scaling commercial culture, talent development, and succession planning.
  • Kroll has executed over 40 acquisitions and expanded to 6,500 professionals globally.
  • Crawford brings experience from leadership roles at AlixPartners, Ernst & Young, and Capgemini.

The big picture

Kroll's appointment of Fred Crawford signals a strategic pivot towards accelerated growth and enhanced client partnerships. With a track record of scaling advisory firms and creating shareholder value, Crawford's role underscores Kroll's ambition to reinforce its position as a leading independent provider of financial and risk advisory solutions. The move comes amid an industry trend towards consolidation and specialization in risk management services, positioning Kroll to capitalize on evolving client needs in financial and operational risk, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.

What we're watching

Growth Acceleration
How Crawford's experience in scaling advisory firms will impact Kroll's expansion strategy.
Client Partnerships
Whether Crawford can strengthen and deepen Kroll's client relationships globally.
Succession Planning
The pace at which Kroll implements long-term succession planning under Crawford's leadership.