L.E.K. Consulting has appointed Stephanie Newey as its new Managing Partner for Australia. She becomes the youngest Managing Partner to lead the national business since the global strategy consultancy entered our country over three decades ago.
A born and bred Sydneysider, Newey takes the reins from Nick Holder, who remains L.E.K. Consulting’s Regional Head for Asia Pacific and will continue to serve on the firm’s global leadership board.
Now in her nineteenth year at L.E.K. Consulting, Newey has been a partner since 2011, and currently the co-head of the healthcare practice. She also serves on the firm’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
An alumnus of James Ruse High and University of Technology Sydney, Newey joined L.E.K. Consulting’s Sydney office as an associate in 2000. During the following three years she discovered a passion for healthcare which resulted in her taking a role as Strategy Manager at global pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca. In 2007 she returned to the consultancy, growing the ranks to become one of the firm’s youngest ever partners.
“As a partner Stephanie has acted as a strategic advisor to a large number of global healthcare organisations operating across the Asia Pacific region,” said Holder. Beyond healthcare, Newey also advises clients in the building and construction sector.
“Stephanie brings 20 years of consulting experience and has demonstrated time and again the deep understanding that our clients expect as we work with them to develop winning strategies,” added Holder.
Focus on growth
Stepping into her new role, Newey’s top priority will be to deliver on L.E.K. Consulting’s ambitious growth strategy across Australia. Already one of the country’s larger (150 staff and 17 partners) and highly rated strategic consultancies, the national leadership team has set the ambition to double the size of the business over the next five years.
“We’ve set ourselves an ambitious target. We will need to strike the right balance between our results-driven mindset and preserving our culture – two things that have been key to our success. Ensuring L.E.K. Consulting remains focused on diversity and inclusion and sustainable ways of working will be key values as we continue to grow,” Newey added.
Earlier this year, L.E.K. Consulting was recognised as one of Australia and New Zealand’s Best Professional Services Places to Work by the Australian Financial Review and BOSS Magazine. The firm’s focus on diversity and inclusion and new ways of working were lauded as industry-leading and attractive to women seeking out careers in consulting.
Globally, L.E.K. Consulting has around 3,000 partners and staff. The privately-held firm is based out of London and Boston, with its Australian offices based in Sydney and Melbourne.
Sourced from Consultancy.com.au