The Business and professional services sector is transforming at pace, driven by digital disruption, globalisation, regulatory complexity, and growing client expectations. Businesses increasingly rely on professional services firms for specialist support to navigate volatile macroeconomic, geopolitical, and environmental shifts. At Strategy& UK, we work with leading players across legal, accounting, consulting, and ESG advisory to unlock value, scale through M&A, and future-proof operations. With robust investor interest, including significant private equity activity, the sector is poised for continued growth and consolidation.
Our expertise
>500 consulting and diligence efforts across the industry
Sub-industries
Accounting Services
Accounting firms are evolving into multi-service advisory platforms, supported by automation, AI, and data analytics. Strategy& help firms navigate this evolution through:
- Digital Audit and Tax Platforms: Enabling automation and real-time insights across core services.
- PE Investment and Consolidation: Advising on deal strategy, integration, and value creation in a highly active M&A landscape.
- Workforce Strategy: Supporting upskilling, capability development, and workforce restructuring.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
BPO providers are shifting from cost-focused models to value-driven, tech-enabled services. Strategy& support this transition by:
- Delivery Model Optimisation: Enhancing productivity through digital workflows, nearshore models, and shared services.
- Client Retention Strategy: Building long-term relationships via innovation, flexibility, and service customisation.
- Public Sector Resilience: Navigating reduced outsourcing demand by pivoting towards private sector growth and specialised offerings.
Facilities Management
FM firms are evolving into full-service providers offering integrated and sustainable solutions. Strategy& helps clients through:
- Sustainability and ESG Integration: Developing green building services, energy efficiency programmes, and ESG-aligned offerings.
- Digital FM: Enabling smart buildings and predictive maintenance through IoT and automation.
- Contract Structuring: Designing performance-based contracts to align incentives and build long-term relationships.
Legal and Professional Advisory
Legal and professional services are undergoing transformation driven by client expectations for efficiency and value. Strategy& empowers sector players to grow through offerings such as:
- AI and Document Automation: Implementing tools to streamline research, review, and contract management.
- Platform Development: Supporting firms in scaling through acquisition and integration.
- Service Line Innovation: Creating bundled offerings and tech-enabled delivery models to improve profitability and differentiation.
Talent
The Talent sub-sector, including recruitment, staffing, and human capital consulting, is being reshaped by hiring volatility and digital disruption. Strategy& supports strategic evolution and operational excellence in this sector, including:
- AI in Recruitment: Supporting adoption of matching platforms, automated screening, and predictive analytics.
- Client Diversification Strategy: Helping mitigate cyclical exposure by expanding into training, talent advisory, and managed services.
- Organisational Redesign: Aligning structures with agile, data-driven talent delivery.
Testing, Inspection, Certification & Compliance (TICC)
TICC companies are attracting investor interest due to recurring revenues, compliance tailwinds, and consolidation potential. Strategy& works closely with clients to unlock growth opportunities and overcome sector challenges, including:
- Roll-up and Platform Strategies: Advising on M&A and integration to create regional or vertical champions.
- ESG Service Expansion: Developing capabilities in emissions testing, sustainability auditing, and regulatory reporting.
- Margin Improvement: Optimising operations and pricing to deliver sustainable growth.
Other Professional Advisory
Specialist advisory firms operating across sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and risk deliver bespoke services that experience consistent demand. Strategy& enable their growth by:
- Scaling Strategy: Identifying opportunities for expansion across sectors, regions, or adjacent capabilities.
- Digital Enablement: Enhancing knowledge-based services through platforms, portals, and IP-led tools.
- Exit and Investor Readiness: Preparing firms for investment or acquisition by institutional and private equity investors.
How we help clients
At Strategy&, we provide a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the unique needs of business and professional services firms. Our offering includes:
- Customer Strategy
- Deals Strategy
- Digital Strategy
- Fit for Growth
- Operations Strategy
- Product and Innovation Strategy
- Technology Strategy
Customer Strategy
Supporting growth through new service development, client segmentation strategies, and expansion into new markets.
Deals Strategy
Advising on M&A activity, carve-outs, commercial due diligence, and integration planning.
Digital Strategy
Helping firms adopt digital tools to enhance client experience, automate workflows, and improve decision-making.
Fit for Growth
Optimising service delivery models, resource utilisation, and back-office operations to drive efficiency and scalability.
Operations Strategy
Streamlining service operations and improving cross-functional collaboration to boost performance.
Product and Innovation Strategy
Enabling firms to develop and scale new service offerings that respond to evolving market needs.
Technology Strategy
Building the digital infrastructure needed to support innovation, data visibility, and client outcomes.
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