Consultancy and Strategy roles sit at the core of how businesses respond to economic fluctuation, shifting consumer values and accelerating technological change. Strategic leaders and specialists are increasingly required to balance creativity with resilience, value creation and executional rigour, a shift echoed across global research from organisations such as the World Economic Forum and the McKinsey Global Institute, which continue to highlight adaptability, integration and outcomes as defining leadership traits for the decade ahead.

Effective strategy in 2026 is data-led and culturally informed, but it is ultimately measured by results. Practical, results-based experience is essential. Brands are prioritising advisors who have operated inside complex businesses, navigated real constraints and delivered measurable impact, rather than relying solely on theory or abstract frameworks. A deep understanding of brand identity, consumer behaviour and market dynamics must be paired with the ability to translate insight into commercially sound action.

Digital capability, sustainability and consumer intelligence are no longer adjacent considerations; they are central to every strategic role. The most effective consultants connect product, marketing and supply chain decisions through an integrated, purpose-led approach, ensuring that strategy is not only aspirational but operationally viable. This aligns with broader research from bodies such as the Edelman, which consistently shows that trust, transparency and execution matter more to consumers than intent alone.

The strongest strategic thinkers design business structures and growth models that are globally scalable yet locally relevant, sensitive to cultural nuance and grounded in how people actually live, shop and engage with brands. They bring clarity of focus, disciplined experience and the confidence to challenge assumptions constructively, while protecting creative vision and long-term brand equity.

We look for individuals who combine analytical rigour with cultural immersion, commercial precision and creative empathy. Those who can navigate change, deliver tangible results and support leadership teams through real-world success and decision making will define the next phase of progress across fashion, beauty and wellness.