Leading Change: Perspectives from GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson

LSE public conversation

In just over two years, Dan Akerson (MSc 1978) has led the transformation of General Motors from its historic IPO in the United States to a global, product-driven resurgence unlike any experienced in the company’s 104-year-old history. Join Mr Akerson as he shares with LSE Professor Stuart Corbridge the importance of strong leadership in times of great change; his views on the current global economy; and how the LSE helped prepare him for his business success. In addition, you will have the opportunity to pose your own questions to Mr Akerson.

Daniel F. Akerson is chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors. He joined the company in July, 2009 as a member of the Board of Directors.

Akerson and his team have moved quickly to re-establish GM as one of the world’s largest automakers and a lynchpin of manufacturing after the company emerged from bankruptcy in July, 2009 during a period of deep global recession.

Under Akerson’s leadership, GM has taken critical steps to transform the company by launching a $23 billion IPO – the largest in history – establishing consistent profitability, gaining market share, improving product quality, investing in manufacturing and job creation, and generating impressive global growth. GM holds a leadership position in the world’s two biggest growth markets, Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) and North America.

Akerson has accelerated GM’s efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicles. GM today has the best lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles in its history, including the Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze Eco, and the Buick Verano and LaCrosse with eAssist technology. GM is pushing to lead in advanced technology and vehicle electrification with products such as the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera and an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark.

Prior to joining GM, Akerson was a managing director and head of global buyout for The Carlyle Group in Washington, D.C. In this position, Akerson managed more than $50 billion in assets and more than 200 portfolio companies with several hundred thousand employees around the world. He was instrumental in helping Carlyle achieve 30-percent gross internal rates of returns in the firm’s corporate private equity business.

Akerson also served as CEO or president of several telecommunications and technology companies, including MCI, Nextel Communications, XO Communication and General Instrument, through periods of explosive growth and dynamic change. Under Akerson’s leadership as chief financial officer and president, MCI doubled its market share.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor of science in engineering, Akerson earned a master’s of science degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Akerson serves on the Boards of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, the Tsinghua University School and Economics and Management Advisory Board, the International Business Leaders Advisory Council of Shanghai, and is a member of the Business Council. He received the T.C. and Elizabeth Cooke Business Medallion from the College of William & Mary in 2004. In addition, he has been honored by the U.S. Naval Academy with the 2012 Distinguished Graduate Award for his lifetime commitment to service, personal character and distinguished contributions to our nation.

He co-chaired the “Leaders to Serve the Nation” capital campaign, which raised a record $254 million for the U.S. Naval Academy. Akerson chairs his family’s Blue Earth Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial assistance to programs serving young people. In 2011, he was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by So Others Might Eat (SOME), which serves the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

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