Brickendon appoints Chris Beer partner and head of Strategy practice
Consulting firm Brickendon has appointed Chris Beer as a partner. Beer, who joins from Cognizant and previously served Sia Partners and EY, has been tasked with heading up the firm’s Strategy practice.
Chris Beer brings 25 years of experience to Brickendon, of which the large majority was gained in the consulting industry. He most recently worked for Cognizant’s management consulting arm as a Director of Capital Markets, a role which he held for nearly three years. Prior to that, he worked in the London based Financial Services practices of Sia Partners, a French origin business consultancy, and EY. Earlier in his career, Beer served Detica, MA Partners, Bluerock Consulting (which since 2014 operates as iBe TSE) and EY in his first spell at the Big Four firm, after starting his career in banking with Merrill Lynch.
At Brickendon, a consulting firm founded in 2010 that specialises in the financial services sector, Beer has been named a partner, joining the firm’s leadership ranks, headed by CEO Christopher Burke. Beer has been added to the firm’s Strategy wing – one of its five practice areas, alongside Risk & Regulation, Data, Quality & Testing and Digital. His main task will be to develop and build senior client relationships and successfully deliver complex transformations in an industry which is facing rapid change and growing competition, helping the consultancy achieve its ambitions growth plans for 2017 and beyond.
London headquartered Brickendon Consulting aims at breaking through the barrier of £30 million in sales by the end of year – which would require more than 300% revenue growth on the same period a year earlier. With fee income in the first quarter up 60% on Q1 last year, the consultancy is in fact on track to hit the target. The firm’s growth follows from three developments: a sharp increase in its headcount (today over 100 consultants), expansion into the US last year with the opening of an office in New York and the acquisition of Spaarks, which was closed in October 2016.
The longer terms plans are even bolder – the strategy crafted has earmarked a target of 1,000 employees by 2023. “We’re taking Brickendon to the next level of its growth, by strategically assessing acquisition targets, further international expansion and investing in our employee development. Our staff and working culture are at the heart of our success and future growth,” said Burke.
Commenting on his new challenge, Beer said, “I am naturally delighted to be joining Brickendon. It is a talented organisation that I have been aware of for some time and I am looking forward to working the team to deliver a range of transformational and digital initiatives for Brickendon’s growing client base.”
Brickendon CEO Burke meanwhile remarked at the company's excitement at bringing Beer on board, “His proven track record in the financial services sector will make him a great asset to the Brickendon team.”
Earlier this year Brickendon promoted executive directors Lee Pittaway and Nathan Snyder to partners and management team members.
