LRQA Appoints new CEO

LRQA, a prominent global assurance partner, has officially declared the selection of Ian Spaulding as its incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective from September 1, 2023, since the present CEO, Paul Butcher, has made the decision to step down. Butcher will continue to offer support to the organization in an advisory capacity to the board.

LRQA merges decades of unparalleled proficiency across assessment, advisory, inspection, and cybersecurity services. With a presence in over 160 countries and a workforce exceeding 6,000 individuals, LRQA’s accomplished specialists in compliance, supply chain, cybersecurity, and ESG serve over 61,000 clients spanning nearly every sector. Formerly affiliated with Lloyd’s Register, LRQA gained independence in November 2021. Subsequently, it became wholly owned by an investment fund overseen by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Ian Spaulding’s extensive career spans over 25 years, during which he has operated in Asia, Europe, and the United States. He has been deeply involved in establishing, leading, and expanding businesses focused on assurance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. His expertise is globally acknowledged, positioning him as a thought leader and authoritative figure in supply chain due diligence and ESG performance.

In his earlier professional journey, Ian held roles at notable entities, including Sears Holdings, KPMG, and BSR. The year 2013 marked a pivotal point when he founded ELEVATE. Over the subsequent decade, he propelled ELEVATE into an industry pacesetter within sustainability and supply chain assurance services. Under his guidance, ELEVATE engaged with 350 international corporations, collaborating to craft, establish, and manage data-driven sustainability initiatives encompassing Assessment, Advisory, Program Management, and Analytics.

In April 2022, LRQA acquired ELEVATE, forging a distinctive and potent offering for clients in the dynamic realm of evolving risks. Ian assumed the position of Chief Growth Officer, subsequently assuming leadership of the Assessments business unit.

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