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The only global strategy consultancy to have its roots in the UK, L.E.K. today employs 900 people in 20 offices across North America, Asia Pacific, Australia and Europe. It is the second biggest European strategy consulting firm with over 200 staff in the London headquarters alone.
L.E.K. is an acronym of the surnames of James Lawrence, Iain Evans and Richard Koch, the Bain & Company partners who set up the firm in 1983. Only Iain Evans remains, but the global chairman is no shadowy board member, giving monthly presentations at the London office.
Government bodies, private equity firms and many of the world’s largest companies put their faith in L.E.K.’s data-driven strategies. 90% of its engagements are repeat business or come via referrals.
Expert in benchmarking, modelling and analysis, L.E.K. is a leading adviser to the biotech industry and is renowned for its energy, airline, transport, and media and entertainment practices. It is arguably best-known for its work in financial services, particularly mergers and acquisitions.
L.E.K. is an acronym of the surnames of James Lawrence, Iain Evans and Richard Koch, the Bain & Company partners who set up the firm in 1983.
L.E.K. works for clients in a range of industries, including: pharma, mining, construction, IT, facilities management, FMCG, hospitality, leisure, energy, insurance, retail banking and medical.
L.E.K. recently appointed 13 new partners to make the most of opportunities in the aviation, energy and carbon management, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, infrastructure, and public services sectors.
According to L.E.K., associates and consultants are paid a ‘highly competitive’ salary. Other benefits include:
It’s hard to imagine any of L.E.K.’s London-based staff not being happy with their surroundings. 40 Grosvenor Place won ‘Best of the Best’ in the 2001 British Council for Offices Awards. Perhaps the developers wanted to impress the neighbours at Buckingham Palace.
Quality abounds, from the Dyson Airblade in the bathroom to the purple silk suit worn by the man in reception. Not typical business attire, but he might have come for lunch — The Mango Tree and Noura are award-winning Thai and Lebanese restaurants on the ground floor of 40 Grosvenor Place. For a quick lunch there is the Seasons Café which serves a regularly updated menu.
One too many escalopes from the Seasons Café can be off-set with a subsidised ToneZone membership. Open from 7.00 am to 8.00 pm, it's equipped with state-of-the-art machines that keep track of every calorie burned since joining. There are big TVs, a sauna and Jacuzzi.
The make-up of a team changes with each engagement but is loosely comprised of a partner, manager, consultant, senior associate consultant (SAC) and two or three associates. Every associate has a place to call their own – there’s no hot-desking.
Although the workload at L.E.K. is in line with other consultancies, it recognises the effect of long hours and has put measures in place to support its consultants. Measures include a system that tells people if they’re required to stay late: ‘We let them know in advance so they can plan a social life,’ says Johnson. There is also time-off-in-lieu so consultants can take care of personal admin.
The firm opts to tackle the majority of projects at its London offices, minimising travel and avoiding the ‘Monday to Thursday syndrome’ that is a feature of life at some strategic consultancies. ‘There is some travel but people can set up a home, keep outside commitments and establish friendships within the company. That’s a really important aspect for us,’ says L.E.K. recruitment assistant Holly Johnson.
L.E.K. says it supports:
L.E.K’s Environmental and Social Responsibility programme is responsible for pro-bono consulting and charity work. Its initiatives include:
L.E.K. was the first global management consulting firm to become carbon neutral across its global operations. It aims to reduce emissions by 20% in the next three years.
L.E.K. partners with The Consortium, MBA Jumpstart and Reaching Out to promote diversity recruitment. According to Johnson, around a third of the recent associate intake was women. Their interests are promoted within the firm by the L.E.K. Women's Network which organises informal and formal activities, including a mentoring programme.
In team briefings, case-reviews and pack-reviews, input is encouraged. Likewise, the bond between peer-groups is really strong and some great friendships have been created. It's good to see because we know it's an important factor when starting work - people are integrated from the start.
Holly Johnson, L.E.K. recruitment assistant
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