The most memorable projects for Richard Forrest are a bit like “Mission: Impossible”—the starting point may not be ideal, yet the solution and the outcome are.

At Kearney, Richard is the global leader for sustainability, an area that is both a key challenge and opportunity for clients across all regions and sectors. His international experience across more than 30 countries includes working across the energy and chemicals sector, with a focus on helping clients address the energy transition. Richard is chair of the Kearney Energy Transition Institute and an innovative technology start-up accelerating the adoption of EVs. He is well known for driving global transformations, large-scale integrations, and distinctive strategies.

“Most companies have set ambitious sustainability targets, but many are finding the scale and pace of action required to achieve them a challenge,” Richard says. “This is where Kearney comes in—we help turn those ambitions into reality.”

He selected Kearney out of business school after meeting many of the people at the firm and seeing the unique chemistry and bond. And he’s stayed in large part because of the freedom the firm gives its people to pursue their passion.

“There’s a large degree of freedom, you have flexibility,” Richard says. “It’s something I hear from other colleagues, too—you’re not put in a box and expected to stay there.”

Oil and gas