Bob Patton Announced as Americas Vice Chair of Advisory Services for Ernst & Young LLP

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young announced today the appointment of Robert Patton as Americas Vice Chair of Advisory Services. He succeeds Bryan Segedi, who has been named Global Advisory Markets Leader. Ernst & Young Advisory practices in the Americas are experiencing 23% growth in 2011, accounting for $1.7 billion in revenue and 8,400 consultants.  

Previously, Patton served as Americas Leader of the Advisory Services Practice for Ernst & Young LLP, building strength and market share in the business performance market, which includes Risk, Finance, Supply Chain, Customer and IT services.  Since then, Americas Advisory practices have hired over 4,000 professionals and continue to grow. Patton was recently recognized by Consulting Magazine, the flagship publication of the consulting industry, as the winner of the 2011 Excellence in Leadership Award in its annual "Top 25 Consultants" ranking.  The publication determined that among the 400 nominees, Patton's vision and ability to transform the practice during the recession stood out.

"Bob came back to Ernst & Young with a clear vision of how to build our practices in a way that inspires people and transforms business," said Norman Lonergan, Global Vice Chair of Ernst & Young's Advisory Services.  "Bob embodies one of our key cultural values – demonstrating the courage to lead. He led the charge on Americas Advisory growth and acquisitions, and this new role recognizes his achievements."

Patton has more than 25 years of experience, including 20 years in advisory services working with Fortune 500 companies in the consumer products, utilities and high technology industries, as well as experience in working with key public sector organizations in the federal and state markets.  Since rejoining Ernst & Young from Gartner, Inc. in September 2008, he has focused on a three-pronged plan for growth: developing industry-specific insight, increasing the productivity and value derived from Ernst & Young's knowledge/community networks, and continuing to reinforce the key tenets of the organization's collaborative culture while delivering on its strong commitment to inclusiveness during this aggressive growth phase. Recent acquisitions over which Patton has presided have provided Ernst & Young with strategic skills and critical capacity in sectors such as Financial Services and Government as well as competencies such as Supply Chain, Risk Transformation and Enterprise Intelligence.

During his career, Patton has built several major advisory practices, including as President of Gartner Consulting, which focused on transformation at the intersection of business and technology. Under his leadership, Gartner's consulting business realized double digit revenue and profitability growth. Prior to joining Gartner, Patton was CEO of CapGemini's Government Solutions Division, a business he launched and developed after serving as Managing Director for Cap Gemini Americas Sector.  Previously, Patton was  a member of the executive team that launched Ernst & Young LLP's High Growth Middle Market practice, a service that was a significant growth engine in North America. Earlier in his career, he served as the Southeast Area Director for Ernst & Young LLP's Performance Improvement Services.

About Ernst & Young's Advisory Services

The relationship between risk and performance improvement is an increasingly complex and central business challenge, with business performance directly connected to the recognition and effective management of risk. Whether your focus is on business transformation or sustaining achievement, having the right advisors on your side can make all the difference. Our 20,000 advisory professionals form one of the broadest global advisory networks of any professional organization, delivering seasoned multidisciplinary teams that work with our clients to deliver a powerful and superior client experience. We use proven, integrated methodologies to help you achieve your strategic priorities and make improvements that are sustainable for the longer term. We understand that, to achieve your potential as an organization, you require services that respond to your specific issues, so we bring our broad sector experience and deep subject matter knowledge to bear in a proactive and objective way. Above all, we are committed to measuring the gains and identifying where the strategy is delivering the value your business needs. It's how Ernst & Young makes a difference.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the US.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP