The consulting firm, which promoted Toronto-based senior partner Andrew Pickersgill to board chair this week, has given him a mandate to pose big-picture questions about the firm’s future as it tries to establish more independence between its board and management team. (The Wall Street Journal)

Talking point: McKinsey is known as a CEO “factory” due its influential alumni network, giving Pickersgill significant sway in the business world. But he will have to steer the firm away from controversy during a tough time in the consulting industry. McKinsey has been under increasing scrutiny in recent years, including in Canada, where the federal government has faced political pressure to cut contracts. Consulting firms also face new competition as businesses look toward automated forecasting tools for data and reports traditionally supplied by firms. Pickersgill told The Wall Street Journal that he aims to “build trust in the partnership.” McKinsey spokesperson Alley Adams said Pickersgill will remain in Toronto.