Chris Petzoldt departs Simon-Kucher after twenty five years

Chris Petzoldt is departing from his role as Managing Partner at Simon-Kucher & Partners after a 25-year tenure to pursue his next business opportunity.

Petzoldt has been a significant figure in the development of Simon-Kucher & Partners' operations in Australia and New Zealand, having established the business in the region in 2011. During his leadership, he oversaw areas including strategic marketing, portfolio design, and pricing optimisation for a wide range of sectors.

Simon-Kucher Australia, under Petzoldt's guidance, has worked with a series of prominent organisations, including Xero, Canva, Linktree, Nearmap, ANZ, and Westpac, as well as with numerous private equity and venture capital firms. He is recognised as having had a substantial influence on the consulting industry's landscape in the country.

Petzoldt has also held a global remit in business development, focusing on expanding Simon-Kucher's reach and securing assignments in diverse and sometimes challenging markets such as Iraq and Papua New Guinea. His concept of a pricing masterclass contributed to the firm's ability to grow its international presence.

His tenure culminated in his election as partner, after which Simon-Kucher Australia surpassed the double digit million revenue threshold soon after. The company, with Petzoldt's leadership, also participated in charitable initiatives, including a bushfire appeal and various pro-bono projects addressing environmental concerns and homelessness.

Looking ahead

Petzoldt marks 25 years with the organisation and says he believes it is now time to move on to new challenges. Reflecting on his time at Simon-Kucher, Petzoldt acknowledged the personal and professional development he experienced, as well as the important influence of mentorship in his career.

"From Asia, the Middle East to Latin America - my passion remains in the expansion of value capture in technology, finance, and other sectors and my next move will be in line with this."

Petzoldt also expressed appreciation for the support he received, stating that he is thankful for everything he has learnt during his time with the firm. He singled out Hermann Simon, Simon-Kucher's founder, mentioning the "unwavering mentorship" that shaped him as a leader.

Petzoldt leaves behind what he describes as a thriving consultancy, a strong team, and a solid client base. Simon-Kucher Australia is expected to enter a new phase following his departure.

Continued legacy

His expertise in strategic marketing and pricing optimisation has contributed to significant changes within the consulting sector in Australia and New Zealand, with ongoing influence anticipated in his subsequent professional activities. Petzoldt's exit signifies the end of one stage for the firm, with his next career step awaited by those familiar with his past achievements.