Number-three IT consulting and systems integration firm, Andersen Consulting Inc, yesterday named long-time partner, Joe Forehand to succeed recently-departed George Shaheen, as chief executive officer and managing partner. Forehand, 51, who has been with Andersen’s since 1972, has immediately assumed the CEO role replacing interim appointment, John Kelly, the firm said. Shaheen quit Andersen in September after 11 years at the helm to head online grocery service start-up, Webvan, for a stock-heavy remuneration package.
Forehand is a former managing partner of Andersen’s global communications and high-tech market unit, which generated $2bn in revenue last year – about one-quarter of the firm’s total revenue. He has held leadership position in 11 of the firm’s 16 vertical industry units in his time with Andersen.
For Andersen Consulting, the challenge is to accelerate change so we bring innovative ideas to our clients, foster an entrepreneurial spirit throughout our organization, and make Andersen Consulting the most exciting place to work for those who want to create and shape the future, said Forehand in a statement. Andersen unleashed a $10bn global advertising campaign in June to galvanize industry awareness of its drive to position itself as an e-business and internet services provider. The firm said that Forehand’s appointment was the outcome of extensive consultation with Andersen’s partners worldwide.
