Linda Addison is an experienced independent director and chief executive, currently building out her board portfolio with private and PE-backed companies. She is Lead Independent Director of Globe Life Inc. (NYSE: GL), an S&P 500 company, and a board member of Lexitas, an Apax Partners private equity portfolio company. She previously served as an independent director of KPMG LLP, the Big 4 US audit, tax and advisory firm, a privately-owned partnership with annual revenues that would rank within the Fortune 250 if publicly listed. She also served as an independent director of a NASDAQ-listed SPAC and on the Advisory Board of Northern Trust Bank. She has chaired public and private board compensation committees and special committees, has served on audit, nominating/governance, risk and human capital committees, and has overseen technology and ESG committees.
Linda continues to consider boards where her experience as an independent director, and as chief executive of a complex global business managing P&L and profitable revenue growth, can add value. She draws upon her relationships and understanding of multiple industries, including their regulatory and risk landscape, spanning financial services, professional services, technology-enabled services, healthcare, energy, and more. Linda is skilled at talent assessment and leadership development, including assessing whether coaching or changes in management are needed to achieve goals, which can be especially important to a company that is growing or undergoing a transformation. She has advised, mentored, and coached CEOs and members of senior management, and is an effective intermediary between investors and senior management to help drive alignment.
Before starting her board career, Linda served as US Managing Partner (CEO equivalent), Chair of the US Management Committee, and global board member of Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the world’s largest law firms, with 4,000 lawyers in 55 offices on six continents, more than $2 billion in revenues, and a complex economic and technology infrastructure. Linda had P&L responsibility for the US region and was responsible for its strategy, growth, and operations. She initiated and negotiated a merger that resulted in revenue growth of 29%, making the US the firm’s largest region. She was one of five regional chief executives formulating global strategy and operating the global business during a period of industry disruption and digital transformation.
Linda’s reporting lines included accounting and finance, risk management, regulatory and compliance, technology including digital transformation, cybersecurity and data, compensation, marketing and communications, and human capital management. She previously served as Global Head of the firm’s largest practice, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, leading its post-merger integration across six regions spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.