The appointment of Ian Davis, 52, as the managing director of McKinsey & Company, is the culmination of a 23 year career at the firm. During that time, Davis has worked on a range of strategic, marketing and organizational issues, primarily for multinational companies. He has a particular functional interest in consumer related and retail industries.

Davis, who succeeded Rajat Gupta on July 1, 2003, was elected to the role by the firm's 270 directors, or senior partners. For the past eight years, he has been the managing director of McKinsey's United Kingdom office, which includes the U.K. and affiliate offices in Ireland and the Middle East. London is one of McKinsey’s larger offices worldwide and its most diverse, with consultants from 40 different nationalities. It is also home to the leadership of many of the firm’s European practice groups.

Prior to becoming managing director of the United Kingdom office, Davis was leader of the firm's Consumer Industries practice in Europe. For a number of years he has also played a key role in the leadership of the firm, sitting on the shareholder council, the senior governance body of McKinsey. In 1998-99, he co-chaired a review of McKinsey's overall governance structure and approach.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Davis worked for seven years with Bowater, a paper products manufacturer, in its sales, marketing, and planning functions. Davis was raised in Kent, England, and educated at Balliol College, Oxford, where he received an undergraduate degree in politics, philosophy and economics. He is a keen sportsman, following cricket and rugby and playing tennis. He is married and has two children. He is also involved with a number of educational institutions and charities.