AlixPartners, the global advisory firm, announced that Simon Freakley has become CEO. Freakley was appointed co-CEO of AlixPartners in August 2015 and has worked alongside previous CEO Fred Crawford in that role over the past five months. Simon will be based in both New York and London.

Also announced was the appointment of Fred Crawford as senior vice chairman of AlixPartners. In this new role, Crawford will remain on the board of directors. He will provide the firm with strategic insight and play a leading role in business development, marketing and the recruitment and development of the firm’s managing directors. Crawford will be based in New York.

Freakley joined AlixPartners in February 2015 when AlixPartners acquired Zolfo Cooper Europe, a leading independent provider of advisory and restructuring services, where Freakley had been CEO for seven years. From 2004 to 2008 Freakley was global CEO of Kroll.

Crawford was appointed CEO of AlixPartners in 2008. The firm has grown significantly under his leadership, from a team of 700 professionals in 13 offices to more than 1,500 professionals in 24 offices.

Freakley said, “During the past five months I have met with hundreds of AlixPartners colleagues in our offices around the world. The quality, professionalism and energy of the whole AlixPartners team are truly impressive and have only increased my excitement to be leading the firm. Our unique model and ability to help clients solve critical business issues, often in time-pressured situations, are as relevant as ever in today’s rapidly changing world.

“I would like to thank Fred for his partnership and support and I am delighted to be working with him in his new role.”