Peter Ganz, who most recently served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a global specialty chemicals company, has joined BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique executive search and consulting firm. The newest member of a distinguished team of Fortune 500 General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers, Ganz adds his legal expertise and business acumen to the strategic counsel, leadership development, and other services BarkerGilmore advisors provide to legal and compliance departments, CEOs, and boards across the country, including General Counsel recruiting and placement.
In making the announcement, Robert Barker, Managing Partner of BarkerGilmore, said that Ganz’s depth of experience brings another dimension to clients seeking to bring out the best in their people and take their organization to the next level. “Peter represents the best of dynamic 21st century legal executives. Driven by a relentless focus on strategy combined with outstanding legal expertise, well-honed business acumen, and extensive leadership experience, he has been a trusted advisor. Guiding private and publicly traded Fortune 500 global companies through periods of significant transition, he led complex transactions and advised on strategy and corporate governance. Peter built high-functioning, business-focused global legal departments and developed the potential of junior and senior lawyers – across the specialty chemicals, engineering and construction, and consumer products industries. With proven success in delivering exceptional results and a strong focus on coaching and leadership development, he will be invaluable in helping BarkerGilmore’s clients to optimize their organizations and drive revenue.”
As Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc., Peter oversaw all legal, government affairs, corporate compliance and governance functions for the company in diverse consumer and industrial end-markets. A core member of the executive leadership team, he was responsible for successfully transforming Ashland from a $10B conglomerate of businesses into a high-margin specialty chemicals company with revenues in excess of $2.5B that focuses on life sciences, coatings, personal care, and other differentiated products. Peter was the key strategist and advisor to the CEO and board in effecting the structural and governance changes resulting from the transformation, and he led the response to a series of activist shareholder campaigns including the successful resolution of proxy contests. He also led the management of significant legacy litigation, completed a comprehensive redesign of legal, compliance, and related functions, and restructured a global compliance program.
Prior to his tenure at Ashland, Ganz was a partner in the law firm of Sedgwick LLP. Before that time, he served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Foster Wheeler AG, a $5B international engineering, construction and project-management contractor, and power-equipment supplier. Peter rebuilt the legal function after the company’s restructuring and served on the executive committee to direct company strategy, priorities, and governance. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of G-I Holdings Inc., formerly GAF Corp., a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals and the largest U.S-based manufacturer of roofing products.
Currently, Ganz serves on the executive committee of the board of directors of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the organization is dedicated to ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today.
Peter graduated from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics, summa cum laude, from Duke University. He is a member of the New York and New Jersey state bars and of the American Corporate Counsel Association.
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