Acuity Knowledge Partners, a research, analytics, staffing and technology provider to the financial services sector including hedge funds and private equity firms, has appointed Jon O’Donnell as Chief Operating Officer.

In his new role, O’Donnell will join Acuity's executive committee and oversee its digital solutions group, global strategy and various enablement teams including information technology, information security and legal. He will report to Robert King, Chief Executive Officer.

O'Donnell most recently led the EMEA business and technology consulting divisions as a managing partner at IBM, overseeing up to 15,000 practitioners and $3bn per annum turnover. He was also part of the global leadership team of IBM Consulting.