CREO Consulting names Matthew Klein CEO
The Durham life sciences consultancy hands the top job to a North Highland veteran as its co-founders return to client work.
CREO Consulting, a Durham management consulting firm that works with life sciences companies, announced on Oct. 20, 2026, that Matthew (Matt) Klein is its new chief executive officer. The appointment took effect Sept. 30, according to the company.
Klein comes from North Highland, a global change and transformation consultancy, where he was senior managing director, chief customer officer and global head of life sciences. In more than a decade there he also served as chief marketing officer and chief operating officer, the release says. Earlier, he led global marketing and communications for Aon Benfield and worked in strategy consulting at Zyman Group and A.T. Kearney.
Co-founders Susan Acker-Walsh and Mike Townley, who started CREO in 2015, become senior executive consultants. The company says they will lead strategic client engagements and grow CREO's presence in the Research Triangle Park market.
CREO describes the change as a move from a founder-led boutique to a larger consulting platform. The firm is backed by Grant Avenue Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity firm. "Matt is a proven business builder," said Brian Berkin, a Grant Avenue partner and CREO board member.
CREO works with biotech, biopharma, medtech, CRO, CDMO and pharma services companies and their investors across five practice areas. The company says it has been named to the Inc. 5000 list four times.
About this story
By Sotwire Desk. Written by Sotwire Desk from the sources below. Not a company attestation.
Sotwire Desk. Written by a named Sotwire editor from the sources cited below. Not a company attestation. Sotwire corrects errors publicly.
Key facts
- CREO Consulting
- Durham, NC
- Hires
- Desk reported
- Sotwire Desk
- Matthew (Matt) Klein
- Sept. 30, 2026
- Oct. 20, 2026
- Senior managing director, chief customer officer and global head of life sciences, North Highland
- Susan Acker-Walsh and Mike Townley, senior executive consultants
- 2015, Durham
- Grant Avenue Capital
Key events
- Klein's appointment took effect
- CREO announced the appointment
Sources
- CREO Consulting Appoints Matthew Klein Chief Executive Officer · CREO Consulting via PRWeb · accessed 2026-10-26
- CREO Appoints Matthew Klein Chief Executive Officer · CREO Consulting · accessed 2026-10-26
- People on the Move: Matthew Klein Joins CREO as Chief Executive Officer · BioBuzz · accessed 2026-10-26