PwC is reportedly planning to reshape its global consulting business to iron out inconsistencies that can arise when its national member entities collaborate.
The company’s international leaders are working on a new framework intended to standardise consulting services across markets, the Financial Times (FT) reported.
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The blueprint also envisages greater use of shared teams in offshore centres such as India as part of a more coordinated global model.
Sources told the FT that the initiative has taken on added urgency amid rapid advances in AI and expectations of significant disruption across the consulting industry.
PwC UK is said to be among the first member companies to act on the new framework.
The UK unit informed its staff that it will combine its risk and consulting arms. The move will bring together two of its three advisory units, which sit alongside audit and tax.
However, the deal advisory practice will remain a separate business.
From July, the merged UK risk and consulting business will be led by Jonathan House, currently head of consulting.
Claire Reid, who has been leading the risk division, will move into the role of chief technology and innovation officer for PwC UK.
PwC UK senior partner Marco Amitrano was quoted by the publication as saying: “This decision is about global alignment and we are leading on this along with our colleagues in the US and global firms.”
The expanded UK consulting arm, which advises on areas such as AI, supply chain issues and regulation, will employ around 4,600 people and generate approximately £1.1bn ($1.4bn) in annual revenue.
PwC, like Deloitte, EY and KPMG, operates as a network of country-based partnerships under a global organisation.
The company’s new plan is intended to align service offerings and support the rollout of common technology platforms including the AI-focused PwC One suite recently launched in the US.
“Having a more globally integrated business is really important. Where a client resides shouldn’t limit the expertise of PwC that they receive,” PwC US chief executive Paul Griggs told the FT.
