📊 April Update: Headcount Trends in Global Strategy Consulting Firms

Our latest data reveals key insights into the evolving landscape of consulting talent:

Key Takeaways

✅ Combined headcount across these firms is at an all-time high—a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the industry.

✅ 45 out of 60 firms (75%) have grown their headcount since January 2023.

✅ Only 5 firms saw reductions exceeding 10%, while 43 firms continued expanding even in 2025, signaling sustained demand for consulting expertise.

Top Performers: Who’s Growing the Fastest?

Several firms have demonstrated exceptional growth in employee numbers:

• Efficio leads the pack with a 54% increase in headcount.

• Alvarez & Marsal (+50%) and d-fine (+46%) follow closely, showcasing strong hiring momentum.

• Arthur D. Little (+33%) and implement Consulting Group (+29%) round out the top five.

These firms highlight the ongoing demand for specialized consulting services, particularly in operations, restructuring, and digital transformation.

Strugglers: Firms Facing Headcount Declines

While most firms expanded, a few experienced notable reductions:

• McKinsey & Company (-14%) and Integration Consulting (-14%) saw significant cuts.

• West Monroe Partners (-15%) and Fortiane Partners (-16%) faced the steepest declines.

• Monitor Deloitte (-7%) and Alira Health (-8%) also saw contractions, reflecting shifting client priorities.

These declines may stem from post-pandemic recalibration, automation, or strategic realignment—factors reshaping consulting business models.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Driving These Trends?

• Continued Demand for Niche Expertise – Firms like Efficio and Alvarez & Marsal thrive by focusing on high-growth areas like cost optimization and turnaround consulting.

• Digital & AI Transformation – Tech-focused consultancies remain resilient as businesses invest in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity.

• Market Consolidation & Efficiency – Some legacy firms are streamlining operations, leading to selective hiring or reductions.

Your Thoughts?

• What’s your take on the current consulting market?

• Are there firms we missed that should be on this list?

• Do you see these trends continuing in 2025 and beyond?

Let us know—we’d love to hear your perspective!

Methodology Note:

All data is sourced from LinkedIn Premium Insights, tracking global employee counts under the assumption that consulting professionals maintain active LinkedIn profiles. Firms included have 200+ employees.

Stay tuned for our next quarterly update as we continue monitoring the evolving consulting talent landscape!

🔗 Follow A-GAME | Executive Search for more insights on consulting industry trends.

#ManagementConsulting #ConsultingTrends #ExecutiveSearch #TalentGrowth #BusinessStrategy #LinkedInInsights #TopPerformers #ConsultingMarket