Teneo: Global CEO Advisory Built by Declan Kelly, Doug Band, Paul Keary

By EPR Editorial Team

Edited on Jun 28, 2026.

Related: PR Firms Directory · Industry Leaders · Crisis Communications

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.

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)
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.

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.

Late 2020: Doug Band departed.

June 2021: Paul Keary named CEO; Ursula Burns named Chairwoman.

2022: Acquired WestExec Advisors.

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 multi-billion-dollar global advisory platform is one of the most successful agency-launch stories 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.

Key Takeaways

• Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm founded in June 2011.
• CVC Capital Partners has been the majority owner since 2019.
• Paul Keary serves as CEO; Ursula Burns serves as Chairwoman.
• Operates seven integrated advisory segments.
• The category-defining integrated-counsel model.

Related Agency Profiles

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