McKinsey Defense Partner Suspected of Conflict of Interest

A recognized expert in defense tech

As he prepares to retire from McKinsey, the 59-year-old senior partner, currently based in the Tel Aviv office where he served as managing partner between 2021 and 2025, is facing scrutiny from a Bloomberg investigation. The media outlet reports that David Chinn acquired preferred shares in the Munich-based startup Helsing in July 2021, a few months after its founding, during a capital increase. One of the company’s co-founders is Gundbert Scherf, a former McKinsey partner who left the firm in March 2021. Initially focused on developing AI software for drones and military aircraft, the company has also ventured into producing its own attack drones since 2024.

McKinsey allows its employees to hold stakes in private companies, as long as they declare them when a potential conflict of interest arises. Defense is one of David Chinn’s major areas of expertise within the firm. According to a statement from Ondas, a US drone manufacturer whose senior partner recently joined the board, Chinn has advised senior government and military officials on defense modernization, force transformation, operational resilience, and the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-controlled systems. His work spans Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region, where he has “supported the deployment of large-scale national programs.”

Helsing, the sole name mentioned in a paper on European defense tech startups

Since investing in Helsing, David Chinn has mentioned the company several times in publications, speaking highly of it. This includes a February 2025 publication on the McKinsey website titled “European defense tech startups: In it for the long run?” This paper, focusing on EU defense ambitions, highlights the role of defense tech startups in European governments’ strategies, advocating for a US-inspired approach.

Helsing is mentioned in a paragraph about innovation financing in various defense segments in Europe: “Each application category is dominated by a single prominent startup, often capturing over 50% of all funds invested in its category. This phenomenon is not unique to Europe (where, for example, Helsing, a defense tech unicorn specializing in AI, has gained significant prominence), it is also observed in the US, where companies like Anduril, Epirus, and Saronic lead their respective sectors in terms of attracted capital.”

The focus on Helsing is notable, as it is the only European startup named in the entire 8-page paper, alongside 5 US startups.

Glowing mentions on social media

Bloomberg also notes two LinkedIn posts on David Chinn’s profile. The first, now deleted, was a repost in 2023 of a TechCrunch article about Helsing’s Series B funding round ($209M). While not the author of the article, Chinn commented on the repost, highlighting the importance of a European AI defense company like Helsing in transforming defense and securing Europe.

One of the comments on this now-deleted LinkedIn post came from an Israeli defense ministry R&D executive, thanking McKinsey’s senior partner for “making the connection” with Helsing. McKinsey reportedly does not work for the Israeli government, suggesting these interactions with the German startup occurred outside of professional settings.

Another LinkedIn post from February 2024, still visible, shares an article from McKinsey partners in Washington and Silicon Valley about innovation in the defense industry. Again, Helsing is the only European startup mentioned among its American counterparts. The partnership between Helsing and Saab is highlighted as an example of defense disruptors like Helsing accelerating their growth by teaming up with established companies.

An “ongoing examination” at McKinsey

In a statement, McKinsey confirms that “this matter is under review through our dedicated processes. We take our obligations regarding transparency and conflicts of interest extremely seriously, and our explicit policies on these matters are among the strictest in the profession.” As he prepares to retire in 2026, the senior partner is also subject to a standard procedure to prevent potential conflicts when concluding his assignments.

David Chinn, originally from London, graduated from Cambridge in 1988 (BA in Science) and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh (Master in Cognitive Science). After working as a researcher at the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation, he completed an MBA at INSEAD in 1996 before joining McKinsey in London. He spent most of his career at the firm, with a stint at Credit Suisse from 1999 to 2001, before moving to Israel in 2021 to lead the Tel Aviv office while continuing to work on defense issues for European government clients.