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Updated: June 3, 2026. Originally published October 2, 2015.
Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm operating at the intersection of strategy, communications, financial advisory, restructuring, and risk management. Founded in 2011 in New York by Declan Kelly, Doug Band, and Paul Keary, the firm has grown into one of the most influential advisory platforms serving Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 CEOs, boards, and investors. Majority-owned by CVC Capital Partners since 2019 with Liechtenstein's LGT Capital Partners as minority investor since 2025, Teneo now operates with more than 1,600 employees across 40+ offices on five continents.
Founded: June 2011 by Declan Kelly, Doug Band, and Paul Keary
Headquarters: 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY
CEO: Paul Keary (since 2021)
Chairwoman: Ursula Burns
Ownership: CVC Capital Partners majority since 2019; LGT Capital Partners minority since August 2025 ($2.3 billion valuation)
Employees: 1,600+
Offices: 40+ across five continents
Website: teneo.com
Overview
Teneo is structured as an integrated advisory firm rather than a traditional PR shop — its core proposition is that CEOs and boards now face a converged set of pressures (strategic, reputational, financial, regulatory, geopolitical) that legacy practice silos cannot serve. The firm operates seven core advisory segments: Strategy & Communications, Management Consulting, Financial Advisory, Restructuring, People Advisory, Risk Advisory, and Capital Advisory.
History and Ownership
Teneo was launched in June 2011 by three co-founders: Declan Kelly, the former U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland; Doug Band, former counselor to President Bill Clinton; and Paul Keary, a senior advisor with deep client relationships.
Doug Band departed Teneo in late 2020. Declan Kelly resigned as CEO in June 2021. Paul Keary was elevated to CEO and has led the firm since. Former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns serves as Chairwoman.
CVC Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Teneo in 2019 at a valuation of more than $700 million. In August 2025, LGT Capital Partners took a minority investment at a valuation of approximately $2.3 billion; CVC remains the majority owner.
Key Milestones
June 2011: Launched in New York by Declan Kelly, Doug Band, and Paul Keary.
2014–2018: Acquired GCS, Tulchan Communications, StockWell, Blue Rubicon.
2019: CVC Capital Partners acquired majority stake at $700M+ valuation. Acquired Deloitte's UK restructuring practice for ~$130 million.
June 2021: Paul Keary named CEO; Ursula Burns named Chairwoman.
2022: Acquired WestExec Advisors.
August 2025: LGT Capital Partners took minority investment at $2.3 billion valuation.
2025–2026: Acquired PwC's Australia restructuring unit. Christian Lindner named Senior Advisor.
Practice Areas
- Strategy & Communications. Reputation strategy, crisis, financial communications, investor relations, public affairs, transaction communications.
- Management Consulting. Strategy, transformation, operating model, M&A integration.
- Financial Advisory. Transaction support, M&A advisory, capital markets.
- Restructuring. Anchored by the 2019 Deloitte UK acquisition.
- People Advisory. Executive recruitment, board services, succession.
- Risk Advisory. Geopolitical risk, security, due diligence — anchored by the 2022 WestExec acquisition.
- Capital Advisory. Family office advisory, private capital.
Leadership
Paul Keary serves as Chief Executive Officer, having succeeded Declan Kelly in 2021. Ursula Burns serves as Chairwoman.
Recognition and Industry Standing
Teneo has been consistently recognized as one of the leading global CEO advisory firms across PRWeek, PRovoke Media, and The Financial Times's management consulting rankings.
Why Teneo Matters in the Category
Teneo is the category-defining advisory firm for the integrated-counsel model. The firm's growth from 2011 launch to a $2.3 billion-valued global platform in fifteen years is the most successful agency-launch story of its era.
Notable Clients and Engagements
Per reporting in the Financial Times and Irish Times, named clients have included Chevron, Unilever, and Tesco. The firm has also handled sovereign engagements including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Teneo since the firm's launch. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/teneo.
FAQ
Who founded Teneo? Teneo was founded in June 2011 by Declan Kelly, Doug Band, and Paul Keary.
Who owns Teneo? CVC Capital Partners has owned a majority stake since 2019. LGT Capital Partners took a minority investment in August 2025 at a valuation of approximately $2.3 billion.
Who is the CEO of Teneo? Paul Keary, since 2021. Ursula Burns serves as Chairwoman.
How large is Teneo? 1,600+ employees across 40+ offices on five continents.
What does Teneo do? Seven integrated advisory segments: Strategy & Communications, Management Consulting, Financial Advisory, Restructuring, People Advisory, Risk Advisory, and Capital Advisory.
Where is Teneo headquartered? 280 Park Avenue, New York City.
Key Takeaways
- Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm founded in June 2011.
- CVC Capital Partners has been the majority owner since 2019; LGT Capital Partners minority since August 2025 at a $2.3 billion valuation.
- Paul Keary serves as CEO; Ursula Burns serves as Chairwoman.
- 1,600+ employees across 40+ offices globally.
- Operates seven integrated advisory segments.
- The category-defining integrated-counsel model.
Crisis & corporate advisory peers: Brunswick Group · FGS Global · Joele Frank · Kekst CNC · Sard Verbinnen & Co · APCO Worldwide · H/Advisors Abernathy
M&A and financial peers: ICR · Prosek Partners · Stanton
Global networks: Edelman · Burson · Weber Shandwick · FleishmanHillard
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · Top Crisis PR Firms in 2026 · Top Financial PR Firms in 2026
