History of GLG
1998
Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) is founded in New York as a publishing company focused on sector-specific reports for investors.
Mark Gerson and Thomas Lehrman, both in their late twenties, raise $1 million to start the company. Alexander Saint-Amand joins as an editor during his senior year at college. GLG initially produces reports by engaging experts – academics, scientists, and physicians – to write about industries undergoing massive technological or regulatory change.
1999
Mark, Thomas, and Alexander realize they have the opportunity to do much more than produce reports – they can fundamentally change the way companies conduct primary research.
2000
GLG begins hosting small meetings with biotechnology investors, physicians, and scientists over breakfast at the Yale Club in New York City.
2001
GLG expands beyond the healthcare and technology fields, beginning with a new practice to serve clients in Energy and Industrials.
2002
GLG expands to better serve clients across the U.S.
GLG also begins offering a broader array of products and services to clients, including curated meetings, surveys, and events.
2003
GLG opens its first office outside the U.S., in London, to be closer to major clients in European markets.
GLG builds out more practice areas, including Legal, Economic, and Regulatory Affairs.
2004
Bessemer Venture Partners leads a $30 million investment in GLG to fuel expansion.
GLG creates the industry’s most technologically advanced and comprehensive compliance system.
2005
GLG expands to Austin, Texas, where teams initially focus on supporting its 70,000 experts.
The company establishes new specialized practice areas to serve clients in Accounting and Financial Analysis, Consumer Goods and Services, Financial Business Services, and Real Estate.
GLG expands into Asia, opening locations in Hong Kong and Shanghai to better serve clients in Asia-Pacific markets and leverage local expertise.
2006
Alexander Saint-Amand becomes CEO. The company continues to expand its client base, serving Fortune 1000 companies and professional services firms.
GLG opens offices in India and Singapore to deepen client service capabilities in Asia and globally.
2008
Silver Lake Partners invests $200 million in GLG. GLG’s growth accelerates across industry verticals, and the company continues to develop its technology and compliance systems.
GLG opens an office in Japan, meeting growing demand in the country with localized service and expertise.
2010
An increase in U.S. prosecutions of insider trading brings growing scrutiny to investment research. Clients increasingly turn to GLG for the value of its state-of-the-art compliance initiatives and programs.
2012
GLG Social Impact launches, bringing GLG’s learning platform to the social sector as it begins supporting nonprofits with pivotal insights.
2013
GLG has more than 900 employees around the world and manages a global network of more than 375,000 leading experts.
2014
GLG moves its global headquarters to One Grand Central Place in New York City.
GLG launches GLG Institute, where members work with prominent chief executives, technologists, scientists, and policy leaders for intensive counsel, mentorship, and network building.
2015
SFW Capital Partners makes a $212 million strategic equity investment in GLG.
GLG’s expert membership comprises more than 425,000 thought leaders and practitioners across industries and geographies. Clients include Fortune 500 companies and the leading global professional services firms and financial institutions.
2017
GLG garners record revenue and profit, accelerating expansion as it grows to more than 1,500 employees.
2018
Technology executive Paul Todd becomes CEO. GLG re-imagines its purpose statement: We bring the power of insight to every great professional decision.
GLG’s headcount rises to 1,800 employees and its membership now comprises more than 650,000 experts.
2019
GLG pushes a new wave of growth powered by significant strategic investments, including $50 million in technology, marketing, service innovation, and more.
GLGers number more than 2,000 for the first time, and the network grows to 900,000+ experts.
GLG expands its Social Impact work by launching the award-winning GLG Partners program, which allows all employees to nominate nonprofits for no-cost access to GLG.
GLG expands its market research capabilities with a range of products, including surveys, Integrated Insights, in-person and virtual focus groups, discussion panels, moderated calls, and more. Research teams are aligned to client segments to enable deeper impact.
2020
GLG continues to innovate and deliver vital insights to clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, posting robust financials while offering pro bono services to hundreds of organizations working on the frontlines of pressing issues.
GLG navigates the pandemic with strong revenue and profit results and no layoffs, furloughs, or pay cuts while driving a remote-work culture defined by high-quality performance and compassion.
GLG earns recognition in Fast Company‘s “World Changing Ideas Awards.”
GLG welcomes Gemma Postlethwaite to GLG’s board.
See how GLGers came together with the help of experts and each other as the pandemic struck
2021
GLG is recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”
GLG earns recognition in the “Global Good Awards.”
LinkedIn names GLG a top company in Austin.
GLG’s Network Membership surpasses one million experts.
GLG Research expands with deeper expertise around panel management and methodology.
2022
GLG establishes teams in Germany and Spain, offering enhanced client service teams and broader language capabilities to its European clients.
GLG’s “Insights with Impact” report is recognized by Fast Company’s 2022 “World Changing Ideas Awards.”
2023
GLG celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The industry founder and leader for two and a half decades, GLG remains the world’s most trusted source of human intelligence, helping clients navigate increasingly high-stakes problems with dedicated service, expanded offerings, and a global footprint.
GLG announces Gemma Postlethwaite, a longtime leader in information services, as CEO.
GLG announces new content partnerships with Bloomberg and FactSet.
2024
GLG launches Events for Experts, a virtual event series designed to help experts learn from one another.
Topics include professional development, industry deep dives, timely issues and trends, and more.
2025
GLG's Network Membership surpasses 1.2 million, with thousands of new experts recruited every week.
GLG earns a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index – for the fourth year in a row.
GLG launches AI-enabled tools to help clients and experts more quickly and effectively access human intelligence.
GLG introduces the new myGLG, an end-to-end client portal powered by AI, and GLG for Experts, the first mobile app of its kind in the industry.
