Introduction
In a dynamic month for the consulting sector, firms continue to sharpen their competitive edge through strategic appointments, leadership transitions, and regional expansion. Notable developments include Portage Point Partners appointing Galya Appell to lead performance improvement efforts, while West Monroe names Gil Mermelstein as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. Talent moves span global markets, with Russell Reynolds Associates strengthening its presence in Dubai, EY-Parthenon expanding its innovation and venture capabilities, and Alvarez & Marsal adding senior leaders across real estate, debt advisory, and people performance. Meanwhile, firms such as Sia, Strategy&, and Arthur D. Little are deepening their sectoral expertise in energy and financial services. Elsewhere, McKinsey and Deloitte announce major leadership changes, while market intelligence highlights increased investor interest in the legal sector and continued recognition of top consultancies in LinkedIn’s UAE rankings. These developments reflect a sector actively investing in transformation, talent, and long-term value creation.
Key People Moves
Portage Point Partners has announced the appointment of Galya Appell as Managing Director in the Performance Improvement Practice, based in the New York office. Appell joins from AmeriLife, where she was Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, having previously served as a Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She brings over 20 years of experience in value creation and operational transformation, with a focus on financial services, insurance and financial technology. Appell has led strategic initiatives spanning M&A transactions valued between $10 million and $5 billion, digital transformation programmes and operational turnarounds, including a $500 million take-private transaction.
West Monroe has announced that Gil Mermelstein will become the firm’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2025. He will succeed Kevin McCarty, who will transition to Executive Chairman while continuing as Chairman of the Board. Mermelstein has been with the firm for 15 years, most recently serving as President. He previously led the Financial Services Practice and played a key role in West Monroe’s East Coast expansion. With over 30 years of industry and consulting experience, he becomes only the third Chief Executive Officer in the firm’s 23-year history.
Russell Reynolds Associates has expanded its leadership team in Dubai with the addition of three new members: Natalie Sleiman, Vanessa Monasterio and Mari Farah.
– Sleiman joins the Technology sector practice, bringing experience in executive search, board placements and workplace culture transformation. She was previously Managing Director at ZRG Partners and also led the technology and professional services practice in the Middle East at Stanton Chase.
– Monasterio, now part of the Leadership Performance practice, transfers from the firm’s UK office. She brings over ten years of consulting experience from firms including McKinsey & Company, Korn Ferry, Capita and Deloitte, with a focus on strategy, organisational effectiveness and leadership assessment.
– Farah joins the Industrial practice, bringing more than 20 years of experience in global executive search and leadership assessment. She has held senior roles at Korn Ferry and Spencer Stuart, with a track record of C-suite and board-level placements across multiple international markets.
Alvarez & Marsal has appointed Jan Crosby as Managing Director to lead the firm’s Real Estate and Hospitality M&A practice, based in London. Crosby joins from Savills Capital Advisors, where he served as Head of Corporate Finance, advising on M&A and capital raising across operating real estate in the living, alternatives and hospitality sectors. He brings significant experience across a range of transactions, including buy-side, sell-side, recapitalisations and restructuring. Prior to that, he led KPMG’s Real Estate M&A team, working alongside Jonathan Boyers, now Head of Corporate Finance EMEA at Alvarez & Marsal. Crosby will work alongside fellow Managing Director Samantha Ward, as the firm continues to build out its regional and sector coverage across EMEA.
Sia has appointed Alan Chakra as Managing Director, strengthening its leadership team in the Middle East with a focus on the Oil & Gas sector in Saudi Arabia. Chakra brings 30 years of management and technology consulting experience across the energy, automotive and transportation sectors. He most recently served as Senior Partner with IBM Consulting in the US, before relocating to Saudi Arabia to lead the Aramco IBM Innovation Hub. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Deloitte, advising clients across the US, GCC and Singapore, and has also worked in private equity and technology. Chakra began his career as a mechanical engineer and holds a US patent for automotive system health monitoring.
EY-Parthenon has appointed Jeff Schumacher to lead the development of a platform aimed at transforming fragmented data into predictive growth strategies, based in Los Angeles. Schumacher brings over 25 years of experience in business strategy, innovation and venture development. He co-founded BCG Digital Ventures and has played a role in launching more than 100 early-stage companies, including NAX Group and Growth Protocol. He previously served as Global Managing Director of Booz Digital, a partner at McKinsey & Company, and held executive roles at Sports Authority. His appointment supports EY-Parthenon’s ongoing investment in AI-enabled growth and data-driven value creation.
RSM UK has appointed Alex Pike as Office Managing Partner in Reading. A partner at the firm since 2020, Pike has been with RSM for eight years and brings over 20 years of corporate finance experience, with a focus on financial due diligence for corporates and private equity investors across the technology, industrials and business services sectors. Pike succeeds Mike Sables and will lead the 200-strong team in Reading, aiming to strengthen RSM’s regional market presence and support national growth. He will also focus on assisting international clients establishing operations in the UK.
BIP UK has appointed Alex Hammond as Senior Partner to lead its Financial Services & Insurance practice. With 15 years of experience in the sector, Alex has worked on complex transformation programmes and advised senior leaders within regulated financial institutions. In this role, he will be responsible for strategy, P&L oversight, client engagement, and business development, as well as supporting the delivery of major change initiatives.
Alvarez & Marsal has appointed Dr Heinrich Kerstien as Managing Director in its EMEA Debt Advisory team. Based in Frankfurt, Kerstien will lead the practice’s growth across the DACH region in response to rising demand for debt financing expertise. With over 30 years of experience, he has advised on more than €40 billion in debt for both corporate clients and private equity firms. His background includes a broad range of financing solutions, such as loans, bonds, Schuldscheine, asset-backed facilities and credit ratings, across refinancing, acquisition financing and restructuring scenarios.
Strategy& has appointed Florian Mayr as a member of its Deals Strategy practice in Germany. Based in Berlin, Mayr will support private equity investors and corporates on M&A strategy, with a focus on commercial due diligence, value creation, and growth strategy development particularly within the energy infrastructure and cleantech sectors. Mayr brings nearly 20 years of experience in the energy industry, having started his career at McKinsey & Company before taking on an internal consulting role at RWE. Most recently, he was a partner at Apricum, where he led advisory offerings in energy storage, green hydrogen, and digitalisation.
EY-Parthenon has appointed Danielle Blumberg Ullner to its global team. Danielle joins as a key leader in the firm’s growth strategy and venture building practice, bringing with her a bold vision and extensive hands-on experience in driving innovation and scaling impact. Her appointment supports EY-Parthenon’s commitment to delivering real-world, results-driven solutions as part of its All in strategy focused on long-term value creation for clients. With a practical approach to innovation and a strong track record of turning strategic ideas into scalable ventures, Danielle is well-positioned to help shape the next chapter of EY-Parthenon’s evolving capabilities in this dynamic space.
Tony Saucedo has joined Virtas Partners as Managing Director, bringing decades of experience in private equity and financial services. Based in Los Angeles, he will lead private equity coverage in the western U.S. and support the firm’s expansion in the technology sector. Before joining Virtas, Tony led private equity practice development for the western region at CBIZ. In that role, he played a key part in building relationships with private equity firms and third-party partners, creating substantial value for middle-market companies. At Virtas Partners, Tony’s role will focus on deepening the firm’s presence on the West Coast and enhancing its service offerings to private equity clients and technology firms. His extensive network and strategic expertise are expected to contribute significantly to the firm’s continued national growth.
MorganFranklin Cyber has appointed Alison Andrews as Managing Director to lead its Artificial Intelligence practice. She brings over 20 years of experience in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud innovation. Most recently, she was Global Director at Google Cloud, where she led the development of generative AI solutions and helped scale its security offerings. Previously, Andrews founded Vigilant, a managed security services firm later acquired by Deloitte, and held leadership roles at 1843 Capital and MicroStrategy. At MorganFranklin Cyber, she will lead the development of secure, enterprise-grade AI systems and drive responsible, outcome-focused adoption.
Eight Advisory has welcomed Kay Wüste as a Partner in its Frankfurt team. Wüste brings over 20 years of experience in financial advisory services, with a focus on mergers & acquisitions and transaction services, including both buy-side and sell-side support as well as valuation services for corporates, mid-market companies and financial investors. He joins from Accuracy, where he was a Partner advising corporate clients and private equity firms on cross-border and carve-out transactions. Previously, he spent more than 12 years at EY within its M&A business. Wüste has worked across sectors including chemicals and raw materials, industrials, healthcare, business services and technology.
Sia has appointed Sébastien Zimmer as Partner in its Energy practice. Zimmer brings over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, including more than ten years in strategy consulting as a Partner at Emerton. He began his career in operational roles at Engie, BP, and EDF, later serving as Head of the Upstream Gas Infrastructures Department at the French Energy Regulatory Commission. In consulting, Zimmer has advised across the energy value chain on market strategy, commercial positioning, and regulatory matters, and has acted as an expert in litigation and arbitration cases.
Analysys Mason has appointed Fredrik Lind as Head of its Nordic business, overseeing offices in Stockholm and Oslo. Lind brings over 25 years of consulting experience, gained at McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group, with a focus on digital transformation, strategy and transaction support. He began his career at McKinsey, later becoming a Senior Partner at BCG, where he led the TMT and Social Impact practices in the Nordics and served as global TMT marketing lead. In recent years, Lind has worked as an advisor, investor, and start-up mentor.
EY-Parthenon has welcomed William Miller as Partner in its Deal Technology team. Miller brings over 30 years of experience in IT-led M&A integration and carve-outs, with deep expertise across the full deal lifecycle, including deal assessment, diligence, and post-close execution. A former CIO, he has led major transactions in the energy, retail, and manufacturing sectors, including deals ranging from $10 billion to over $60 billion. His background spans digital transformation, predictive analytics, and enterprise-level programme management, with global leadership experience across the US, Europe, India, and Asia Pacific.
Alvarez & Marsal has appointed Anthony McNulty as Managing Director in its People, Reward & Performance practice. McNulty brings over 30 years of experience advising boards and senior leaders on reward, workforce design, and organisational performance. He joins from Korn Ferry, where he led the Total Rewards practice in the UK. Earlier roles include Head of UK HR & Global Reward at Howden Group and positions at Heineken. At Alvarez & Marsal, he will focus on areas such as workforce transformation, performance-linked reward models, and strategic workforce planning.
Arthur D. Little has appointed Sundeep Khanna as Partner in its Performance practice, based in Dubai. Khanna brings over 30 years of experience in retail and consumer sectors, specialising in operating models, customer experience, growth, and technology strategies. He joins from Deloitte, where he was Partner in the Retail & Consumer practice for the Middle East. Khanna has also held roles at Landmark Group, Change Management Group, and Accenture, working with clients such as Burberry and Dixons Carphone.
People Promotions
Deloitte announces Miguel Eiras Antunes as the new Global Central Government Leader. He will oversee a practice of over 40,000 professionals working with federal governments, international organizations, tax and finance agencies, and higher education institutions worldwide. Miguel has spent the last five years leading Deloitte’s Smart Cities & Urban Transformation practice, focusing on urban development and public services. In this role, he will support digital transformation efforts to improve citizen experience and public service efficiency. He will also work with Deloitte’s Ecosystems & Alliances teams to help governments increase efficiency, accessibility, agility, and responsiveness.
McKinsey & Company has appointed London-based senior partner Tunde Olanrewaju as its new managing partner for Europe. Joining McKinsey in 2002, Olanrewaju previously led the UK, Ireland, and Israel offices and co-leads McKinsey’s FinTech practice in Europe. With expertise in financial services, private equity, real estate, consumer sectors, and public institutions, he has played a key role in launching McKinsey Digital in the UK, focusing on digital transformation through design, engineering, analytics, and technology. Olanrewaju succeeds Massimo Giordano, who will return to a client-facing role. He highlighted the challenges facing Europe including energy market shifts, geopolitics, and the rise of generative AI and emphasized McKinsey’s commitment to helping clients navigate and thrive amid these changes.
Market Intelligence
Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, and Kearney have ranked among the top five employers in LinkedIn’s 2025 ‘Top Companies’ list for the UAE, which highlights firms offering the best career growth opportunities. BCG took first place, followed by Emirates, McKinsey (third), and Kearney (fifth), with Mubadala splitting the two consultancies in the top five. Ernst & Young also made the top 15. Both BCG and McKinsey improved their positions from last year, while Kearney maintained its third consecutive top-five ranking.
The rankings are based on factors like internal promotions, skills development, diversity, employee satisfaction, and career prospects, but don’t evaluate the quality of work performed. Notably, all three consultancies hold Diamond status in Consultancy.org’s Middle East management consulting rankings.
Two former Allen & Overy managing partners, Wim Dejonghe and David Morley, have launched Dejonghe & Morley LLP, a new consultancy advising private equity investors on opportunities in the UK legal sector. With interest in legal services growing among investors, the firm aims to connect capital with scalable law firm models amid increasing pressure on the sector to adopt technology and AI. Buyout firms such as CVC, Cinven, and Permira are reportedly exploring deals, following transactions like Inflexion’s £342 million acquisition of DWF and Investcorp’s purchase of Stowe Family Law. The founders expect more activity in the coming year and see AI as a key driver of structural change in the industry.
FTI Consulting has relocated its Scottish construction and infrastructure hub from Stirling to Glasgow to better serve a growing client base. Known for its expertise across sectors such as energy, transport, and commercial property, FTI will continue supporting clients throughout all stages of an asset’s lifecycle from its new West Regent Street office. The team advises on construction disputes, delays, defects, contracts, and risk mitigation.
Accenture has acquired Altus Consulting, adding around 70 consultants to its UK Insurance practice. Known for its expertise in insurance, pensions, and investments, Altus will strengthen Accenture’s ability to deliver digital transformation and operational efficiency in financial services. Founded in 2005 and previously part of Equisoft, Altus Consulting brings deep industry knowledge and proven delivery in technology-led change. The deal does not include Altus’s software business.