Next CEO at H&R Block: Jeffrey Jones

H&R Block announced this morning that it had named Jeffrey Jones II as its next president and chief executive officer, succeeding Bill Cobb, who retired earlier this year, and interim president Tom Gerke, the firm’s general counsel and chief administrative officer. Jones’ duties are set to start Oct. 9.

“One of our core corporate values is ‘We Do the Right Thing.’  There are few people who embody this more than Jeff.  He is a transformational leader, one who deeply understands today’s consumer and knows how to drive results in large-scale operations,” said Robert Gerard, chairman of Block’s board of directors.  “Given his proven record of success in innovation and change management, the board is confident Jeff is the right person to evolve and grow our business in the years ahead.”

Jones has held executive roles with companies in the retail, consumer products and technology industries, most recently as president of Ride Sharing at Uber. Before that, he was vice president and chief marketing officer at Target Corp., served on its executive leadership team and helped restore damage to teh brand after a 2013 data breach that made headlines nationwide.

“I am honored and excited to be joining the H&R Block team,” Jones said. “Block is a values-based brand focused on helping people and I look forward to advancing this storied company in its quest to provide a broader range of solutions to meet our clients’ needs. With its expertise, history and scale, there is significant opportunity to create new solutions for the tens of millions of clients who trust this brand.  This is a company with great potential.” 

He also had key roles at The Gap, the Coca-Cola Co. and at the Leo Burnett agency, handling accounts for major clients like General Motors, MillerCoors and Procter & Gamble.