Simon-Kucher appoints new co-CEOs with a stated focus on Asia Pacific

Global strategy & marketing consultancy Simon-Kucher has appointed Gunnar Clausen and Joerg Kruetten as its new co-CEOs, while identifying the Asia Pacific region as a target for expansion.
Following on from its somewhat radical choice to appoint Mark Billige and Andreas von der Gathen as co-CEOs in 2019, Simon-Kucher has stuck with the same formula, tapping Joerg Kruetten and Gunnar Clausen as the duo’s successors.
While the German-origin consultancy doesn’t have a huge footprint in Australia – adding Josh Koh as its third local partner in 2023 – Simon-Kucher also expressed its intent to expand its Asia Pacific practice, alongside the Americas and the Middle East.
Respectively based out of Cologne and Luxembourg, both Clausen and Kruetten have been with Simon-Kucher for upwards of twenty years, Clausen stepping up from his most recent role as managing partner for Central & Northern Europe for the past five years and Kruetten elevated after overseeing the firm’s global healthcare & life sciences practice over the same period.
“We are honoured to take the helm at Simon-Kucher,” Clausen said of their joint-appointment. “The global economy has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, and businesses increasingly recognise the critical role of pricing and commercial excellence. Our mission is clear: to help clients successfully navigate these times and achieve sustainable, long-term growth.”
Driven by its speciality in ‘pricing’ consulting, Simon-Kucher has experienced astronomical growth in recent years, more than tripling its global take from €150 million to in excess of €560 million in the space of one decade. Yet, despite its co-founder Hermann Simon’s close ties to China, after having established the business in 1985, the firm has yet to fully crack the Australian consulting market.
That, however, could be about to change, with the firm explicitly targeting the Asia Pacific as among its future growth engines. As it stands, Koh is one of the firm’s three partners based out of Sydney – which is in turn one of thirty country locations worldwide home to 2,000-plus consultants – alongside Mitchell Taylor, and Australia managing director Christoph Petzoldt.
“Our work has always been about making an impact,” Kruetten said. “Our focus remains on supporting our clients’ success across industries and geographies, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge and functional expertise. We will continue to invest in capabilities and look forward to continuing our collaboration with clients and partners as we embark on this new chapter of growth.”