IBM’s consulting chief warns AI will ‘implode’ unprepared rivals Consulting IBM Consulting, under Mohamad Ali, claims to have surged ahead in AI by pioneering a human-plus-digital workforce and transforming its own operations before selling innovative solutions to clients, leaving less-prepared consulting rivals scrambling to keep up, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. IBM’s consulting chief, Mohamad Ali, warns that AI will “implode” unprepared rivals, claiming the group has [...]
Private equity faces ‘sharp shock’ of triple threat stalling market momentum Business The global private equity market has stalled as it faces a triple-shock of issues which are contributing to a slowdown in market momentum, according to new figures from Bain & Company. The Big Three consulting firm said in its midyear report on private equity that the industry, “which was gathering momentum at the start of [...]
Professional services firms’ future hinges on private equity, Kroll chief says Prof Services Private equity has been rewiring the professional services industry over the last few years, and with the sector undergoing enormous disruption from AI, stagnant growth, and a highly competitive market, PE investment is increasingly becoming a lifeline for firms to stay afloat. According to Jacob Silverman, chief executive of advisory and consultancy firm Kroll, private [...]
‘Outdated’ consultancy sector faces a reckoning as AI rips up the old model May 27, 2026 For years, the consultancy sector has relied on a traditional model and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 May 15, 2026 McKinsey & Company’s business model is changing to prioritise performance-based pay, a shift largely driven by the impact of AI, CityAM 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. [...]
KPMG faces staff uproar as job cuts expose communication breakdown May 6, 2026 Big Four audit firm KPMG is facing something of an internal comms meltdown, CityAM understands, amid complaints of a lack of communication during a ‘mismanaged’ redundancy round. In late March, it was reported that KPMG UK was set to axe more than 500 staff in the latest redundancy round at the Big Four giant. [...]
AI-focused services make up 40 per cent of BCG’s 2025 revenue April 23, 2026 The global revenue of the consultancy group Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reached $14.4bn (£10.6bn), a single-digit increase over the previous year, credited to AI. BCG reported seven per cent global revenue growth, rising to $14.4bn in 2025 from $13.5bn in 2024, marking its 22nd consecutive year of growth. The firm said its AI-and tech-focused services [...]
M&C Saatchi profit slumps amid Iran war warning and ‘softer’ UK market April 20, 2026 Advertising firm M&C Saatchi expects the Iran war to deal a blow to its sport and entertainment business, and revealed a profit slump for last year. For the year to December 2025, profit tumbled by 34 per cent to £19m. Revenue dipped by more than seven per cent to £205m. The firm, whose chief executive [...]
Accenture bets on British AI talent with Faculty buy January 6, 2026 Professional services firm Accenture has announced the acquisition of London-based AI specialist Faculty, in a deal that cements the City’s role as a global talent hub. The Dublin-based US firm said the acquisition will bring more than 400 AI specialists into Accenture’s workforce, deepening its capabilities in applied AI, decision intelligence and AI safety. The [...]
McKinsey slashes 10 per cent of jobs in major overhaul May 28, 2025 Consulting giant McKinsey has unleashed one of the largest job culls in the company’s history after ten per cent of staff faced the chop. The New York-headquartered firm has reversed major expansion plans, which peaked during the pandemic, as it aims to drive profitability. The consulting firm has reduced its workforce to 40,000 over the [...]