‘Outdated’ consultancy sector faces a reckoning as AI rips up the old model Tech For years, the consultancy sector has relied on a traditional model and profitable formula: retained clients, billing time and upselling clients. Another crucial element has been the blend of ‘senior counsel’ supported by a team of juniors carrying out research and compiling reports. But the rug is being pulled from under this model and a [...]
AI is driving McKinsey’s business model and talent overhaul Prof Services McKinsey & Company’s business model is changing to prioritise performance-based pay, a shift largely driven by the impact of AI, Morning Wire understands. The Big Three consulting giant has told senior staff it plans to overhaul its remuneration structure for partners, with more of their pay potentially coming in the form of equity in the US-headquartered partnership. [...]
Foreign buyers circle ‘undervalued’ UK firms Markets Foreign buyers continued to circle “undervalued” UK firms in the final quarter of last year, new figures show, with the value of inward Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) surging to its highest level in four years. The total value of deals in which foreign companies acquired UK firms rocketed to £27.4bn in the final quarter of [...]
Olympics should lead way in AI and lighten impossible load on its judges February 26, 2026 If any sporting body has the means to fund investment in AI judging it’s the International Olympic Committee, writes Ed Warner. I’ve no idea whether Zoe Atkin’s “amplitude” deserved to bag silver rather than bronze in the freeski halfpipe on Sunday. All I know is she didn’t wipe out on all three of her three [...]
2025 was set to be the year of AI agents. It was not. January 6, 2026 At the end of 2024, just over a year ago today, tech behemoth and OpenAI boss Sam Altman predicted that AI agents would completely upturn the workplace before year end. AI agents are software programmes which break down any given task into smaller, more manageable steps, allowing them to devise and execute them with little [...]
Three ways to build start-ups faster and with less investment October 29, 2025 CEOs that keep innovating and are advanced users of AI see up to 4x revenue growth than those that don’t, says Paul Jenkins When there’s a period of uncertainty, it’s easy to retrench and focus on short-term gains. To freeze hiring, cut projects and hold off investments. And, it’s hard not to feel a gravitational [...]
McKinsey isn’t dead, but the glamour of being a professional is September 10, 2025 The reports of McKinsey’s death are greatly exaggerated, despite what The Economist might say. What’s dying is the professional mythos, writes Lewis Liu.
Advisory giant Teneo valued at £1.7bn in fresh deal August 4, 2025 Advisory firm Teneo has received fresh backing from a top Liechtensteiner buyout firm valuing it at $2.3bn (£1.73bn), in a deal that suggests the malaise afflicting the world’s largest holding companies and consultancies is not extending to more specialist or diversified firms. LGT Capital Partners is backed by Liechtenstein’s royal family and has over $100bn [...]
If you’re a CMO, make friends with the CFO July 19, 2025 Many CEOs now asking, ‘why are marketing metrics up, but sales and market share in decline’ – here’s how CMOs can course correct, by Kelsey Robinson Marketing used to be the growth engine of every company. It championed the customer. It was responsible for everything the customer touched, saw, bought, and felt. But, customer behaviours [...]
Barclays calls in McKinsey to find savings in investment arm June 17, 2025 Barclays has tapped global consultancy giant McKinsey in a bid to identify cost-saving areas across its investment banking arm. The FTSE 100 bank is looking to simplify its investment bank, with consultants examining the front office, finance, risk and technology divisions. The consultants will be looking at duplication of work and whether tasks can be [...]