Dutch consulting disruptor takes aim at City’s ‘five-to-one’ markup Advisory Sweav, a Dutch-founded freelance consulting platform, is launching in the UK to challenge the traditional professional services sector on pricing. Speaking to City AM, Joeri Schouten, co-founder of Sweav, said: “The UK is the biggest professional services market in Europe [but] the culture is still much more traditional, very hierarchical, and has an even more [...]
KPMG Australia seeks $100m bailout from parent group after scandal Big Four KPMG Australia is reportedly considering asking for $100m (£52.6m) in emergency loans from the Big Four firm’s global network after a scandal rocked the firm’s reputation and business down under. The Australian firm’s newly appointed chief executive, John Sams, has considered asking KPMG International to loan the arm up to $100m or waive its fee [...]
Winkworth launches board review as family feud rocks London estate agent Property London estate agent Winkworth has launched an independent review of its board as it battles to contain the fallout of a boardroom family feud involving the firm’s its chief executive and his father, the chair. The AIM-listed firm, which is one of the UK’s oldest estate agents and specialises in properties in the City in [...]
The sugar rush is over: The Big Four must wake up from their pandemic dream September 30, 2026 The pandemic was the worst thing that could have happened to the Big Four giants and the overall consultancy market. At the time, these firms were flying high, flooded with inquiries from businesses needing help to navigate the ‘once-in-a-lifetime ‘ event, but this ‘sugar rush’ didn’t last forever, and it gave the industry a false [...]
Deloitte UK advisory arm rebounds to growth as new boss insists AI ‘can’t replace lived experience’ September 30, 2026 Big Four giant Deloitte’s new UK boss, Darren Graves, insisted AI “can’t replace lived experience” as the firm’s advisory arms return to growth. Revenue for the year ended 31 May 2026 for the UK arm was up 2 per cent to £5.81bn, with growth across all businesses. The firm’s technology and transformation arm led with 4 [...]
Grant Thornton takes on Big Four giants with new £40K salary for London grads September 29, 2026 Grant Thornton has raised its London graduate starting salary to £40,000 and introduced “milestone bonuses” into the pay structure as part of the firm’s ambition for significant growth. The private equity-backed firm has overhauled its early careers programme, first reported by City AM in April, and will offer ‘market-leading’ starting salaries to London juniors of £40,000 from [...]
Winkworth warns on profit citing family boardroom bust-up September 16, 2026 London estate agent Winkworth has warned on profits for the year ahead, citing the legal costs tied to a boardroom family feud that has led its chief executive to take his father to court. The Aim-listed company, which is one of the UK’s oldest estate agents and specialises in high-end properties in boroughs like Pimlico, [...]
Former Interpath Advisory chair takes helm at sustainability consultancy after chief executive exit September 1, 2026 Interpath Advisory’s former chair will lead the City-headquartered, sustainability-focused consultancy Anthesis Group as its new chair, as its chief executive steps down. Tamara Box, previously City law firm Reed Smith‘s managing partner for Europe and the Middle East, is set to take on the new chair of Anthesis Group’s board of directors this week after [...]
Affluent Big Four partners lack ‘fire in the belly’ to disrupt consulting market August 27, 2026 The trend of Big Four partners leaving to launch boutique consultancies has accelerated in recent years. But Q5 co-founder has told City AM that many will struggle to build true challenger brands without an “all or nothing” approach. Five founders, including managing partner Olly Purnell, launched boutique consultancy firm Q5 at the height of the global financial [...]
Private equity-backed advisory firm acquires specialist music boutique August 14, 2026 Mid-tier accountancy and advisory firm BKL has snapped up a smaller counterpart in its latest acquisition, aiming to strengthen its focus on the music, media, and entertainment sector in London. City-based BKL, which offers tax, accounting, and business advisory services, has snapped up specialist music accountancy firm Dales Evans, as it “continues to expand its [...]