Starting at Strategy& Middle East soon – what should I expect in today’s market?

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ll be joining Strategy& Middle East this October and am currently trying to build a clearer view of the firm’s positioning and the broader consulting landscape in the region.

I have an international background (Middle East origin, fluent in Arabic and 3 other languages, ~5 years in Europe for studies), and as I plan my transition, I’d really value perspectives from those familiar with Strategy& or the regional market more broadly.

Specifically, I’m curious about:

Strategy&’s core industry strengths in the Middle East
Current staffing environment and utilization trends
Competitive positioning vs. MBB, Kearney, OW, etc.
Any recent shifts in the consulting market dynamics (e.g., demand cycles, sector activity)

I’ve heard mixed signals (e.g., some firms facing lower utilization recently), so I’d love to get a more nuanced and up-to-date view.

Appreciate any insights, thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Kevin,

Congrats! I hope you'll have a great time there.

If you want to prepare yourself for the role, I'd do a couple of things:

1. Read market assessments and news from the region

2. Get in touch with consultants in the office you'll be joining and have a few coffee chats with them

3. Read about how best to navigate your first few months in consulting. Here's a material I wrote on this that you might find helpful:

• • Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant

Best,
Cristian

Answer 2

Congrats on the Strategy& Middle East offer.

Their core strength is government and public sector, decades of relationships across KSA, UAE, Qatar. Also strong in financial services, energy, defence, and TMT.

The market has cooled a bit in recent times. Some practices have softened, but financial services and energy transition remain strong. Junior staffing can be a bit variable, don't be alarmed by early bench time.

Vs MBB. Roughly equivalent for public sector work, MBB still edges on private sector commercial strategy.

Your profile (Arabic, multilingual, regional background) is exactly what they want. Use Arabic strategically, lots of KSA work happens in it.

Build practice depth in one or two sectors early.

Good luck.

Answer 3

hi kevin!

Strategy& ME is still strong in government, economic development, and national programs. Staffing this year has been mixed across the region, but that’s true for most firms as budgets shift. Compared to MBB, Strategy& is more embedded in long public‑sector programs, while MBB and Kearney/OW are stronger in private sector and industrials. The overall market is slower than the boom years but still healthy, and joining in October should put you in a stable position as new cycles pick up.

Alessa