What happens now to Strategy& Middle East?!

Although Strategy& is owned by PwC, its entity and services are completely different and sometimes even compete with PwC advisory.

It still not clear if the ban extends to Strategy& (even insiders there don't know) - most likely not -  although some companies in the portfolio might prefer to distance themselves for a while from Strategy& given its association with PwC. Strategy& is generally well diversified across ME countries and industries, so the soft ban would likely not impact their growth in a major way. 

Hi there,

Adjusted my answer:

I did some further research, and it turns out Strategy& is affected by the PwC advisory ban from PIF. This likely has two major implications:

• Redeployment of consultants: Similar to what McKinsey did after losing business in South Africa (they sent many consultants to Europe), Strategy& may shift consultants to other markets like the UAE or a more global scale.
• Layoffs: With a sudden loss of work, cost-cutting measures are possible.

That said, hiring may still continue, although on a much smaller scale (due to constant turnover). If you're considering applying, I’d recommend networking directly with people at the firm to get a real-time perspective on how they’re handling the situation.

Wishing you all the best,
Florian

Hey there ?,

After doing some research, here’s what I found regarding Strategy& Middle East following the recent PwC advisory ban by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund:

1️⃣ Impact on Strategy& Middle East

• Since Strategy& is part of PwC, the ban likely affects their operations in Saudi Arabia, particularly if they were heavily reliant on PIF projects.
• If PIF truly accounted for a significant portion of their revenue (e.g., 80%), this could disrupt their project pipeline and force them to shift focus to other clients and markets.

2️⃣ Will There Be Layoffs or Office Closures?

• Layoffs are possible, especially if the firm cannot quickly replace lost revenue.
• A full office shutdown is unlikely, but there could be internal restructuring or downsizing, depending on how well they adapt.
• Strategy& might diversify into other sectors or focus more on clients outside of Saudi Arabia to compensate.

3️⃣ What About New Hires? Should You Apply?

• Recruitment may slow down, especially for roles focused on Saudi government projects.
• If you’re interested, apply, but also explore other consulting firms (MBB, Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Kearney, etc.), which may benefit from Strategy&'s challenges and take on more business.
• Networking with current employees can give you real-time insights on whether they are still hiring and what the firm’s outlook is.

4️⃣ What Should You Do?

✅ Keep an eye on the situation—things may change over the next few months.
✅ Network with Strategy& consultants to see if hiring is still active.
✅ Consider alternative firms that might offer more stability.

If you’re set on Strategy&, applying is still an option, but it’s smart to hedge your bets with other opportunities. Let me know if you need any help navigating this!

Best, Alessa ?

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• Firstly, I wonder if you are intending to apply there or are you just asking out of curiosity? If you are intending to apply, I would highly advise you to contact the recruiting department to find out for sure.
• Moreover, and contrary to what other coaches have said, no one knows for sure what the repercussions will be, although there is a good chance that being essentially banned from doing business in the KSA will have an impact on recruiting needs.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Yes, it will most likely impact Strategy&. The office is unlikely to shut down, they will focus on growing in other clients and both relocate and staff many of their consultants into other offices / foreign assignments.

Can one even think about applying at S& Middle East right now?

What do you have to lose?

Hey there, 

To some extent, it may affect Strategy &, but maybe not as much as you'd think. 

Strategy & will have separate relationships, licenses etc. that may insulate them from some of that backlash.

Ultimately, don't let it stop you from applying!

All the best