The Bridge International appoints CEOs as co-founders shift focus to growth
Management consulting firm The Bridge International has appointed Stuart Brown as its new chief executive officer, with co-founders Stuart Blake and David McDonald to focus on growth.
Established by Blake and McDonald in 2018, the pair now transition to executive chair and director, with The Bridge International entering its next phase with long-time Sydney-based colleague Stuart Brown at the helm.
Meanwhile, Sara Elmstrom, who is also based out of Sydney, will continue on as chief executive of the boutique ‘non-traditional’ management consultancy’s dedicated customer experience business CXO2, which was launched in 2024.
“I’d like to congratulate Stuart on becoming CEO,” Blake said. “I have worked alongside Stuart for over ten years, and he is passionate about our clients and an outstanding purpose-driven and values-based leader. Both The Bridge International and CXO2, under Stuart and Sara, are in great hands with their passion for our business, practices, team members, and clients.”
Prior to joining The Bridge as a founding partner and CFO in 2018 and since leading its general insurance practice, Brown spent eight years between IAG and acquisition Westfarmers Insurance, where Blake and McDonald also held senior roles, alongside Elmstrom and other members of Bridge’s senior team including culture & leadership practice leader Maria Stavrinides.
With experience spanning strategy, corporate development, M&A, and large-scale transformations, Brown was credited with being central to building The Bridge’s reputation as a trusted, independent advisor across the financial services, retail, government, and not-for-profit sectors, supporting the executive teams of complex organisations to shape strategy and deliver positive outcomes.
Brown said: “Over the last eight years, we have built a strong business foundation, working with more than 60 of the most recognised brands to lead transformations and deliver meaningful impact, and we have an exciting future ahead as we build on that foundation, strengthening our role as trusted advisors who help organisations navigate change and deliver outcomes that matter.”
Meanwhile, the consulting firm, which claimed year-on-year revenue growth of more than 50 percent over the past five years, said that Blake in his new executive chairman role will now focus on strategic direction and furthering the firm’s growth ambitions. Both he and McDonald will continue to lead The Bridge’s respective strategy & corporate development and customer & operations practices.
“We advise many of our clients on business transformation, succession planning and talent retention, so it is gratifying for us to make this happen in our own business,” McDonald said. “These appointments will give me more time to focus on my own passion – ensuring our consulting team continues to deliver fairer value and exceptional sustained outcomes for our clients.”
