Bob Sternfels elected Global Managing Partner of McKinsey

Bob Sternfels has been elected as the global managing partner of McKinsey & Company days after partners ousted previous managing partner Kevin Sneader over mishandling of multiple crises under his watch. The firm was embroiled in a fresh crisis last month after it was revealed that its consultants had advised US pharma company Purdue Pharma on how to multiply sales of an addictive painkiller produced by the company.

The firm then agreed to pay nearly $600 million to settle claims by multiple US states relating to its role in exacerbating the opioid crisis in the country. The event ultimately triggered the ouster of Sneader, one of the few global leaders of the firm to just complete one term at the helm.

Sternfels was elected by the firm’s approximately 650 senior partners to serve a three-year term as managing partner beginning July 1, 2021. He will be the 13th partner to lead McKinsey since its founding in 1926. Sternfels currently leads McKinsey’s client capabilities globally.


“Working together with my partners and colleagues, I am determined to use this moment to make our partnership stronger, more inclusive and better able to help our clients thrive in a fast-changing world,” Sternfels said. “I am also committed to build on the important changes that Kevin helped launch and our partnership embraced - and on the good work our firm does with our clients and in society.”