OC&C promotes Deidre Sorensen and Duncan Simmonds to Partner
OC&C Strategy Consultants has appointed Deidre Sorenson and Duncan Simmonds as Partners in the firm’s consumer goods wing. A former MBB advisor, Sorenson brings over 22 years of experience to the role, while Simmonds has been with OC&C since 2007, having working his way up from the role of Associate Consultant.
The UK’s retail and consumer goods sector has endured a torrid 2019, to say the least. The country’s high streets have seen the highest number of store closures since the last recession, as customer spending-power has dwindled due to stagnant wages and the collapsing value of the pound. In these increasingly difficult conditions, many firms are turning to consultants to help chart a return to growth, and in many cases, profitability.
In order to better support clients in the consumer goods and retail sector, OC&C Strategy Consultants has appointed two new Partners in its UK practice. Deidre Sorensen and Duncan Simmonds bring more than three decades of experience to the roles between them.
Sorensen holds an MBA from INSEAD, and has worked across corporate, small business, and government sectors both as a consultant and strategy director. Earlier in her working life, Sorensen spent two years as a Manager at Bain & Company – having commenced her career with Boston Consulting Group as a Consultant in 1997. She has also worked in strategic roles for the UK Department of Health and Pepsico.
Commenting on her new role, Sorensen said, "I love that we focus on strategy, in a pragmatic way – ensuring it’s not just analytically smart or creative but also something that can be implemented and have real impact for our clients."
Simmonds meanwhile has been with OC&C since 2007, joining following his graduation from Oxford University. Since then, Simmonds has worked across OC&C’s consumer goods and retail practices, with a broad set of sub-topic expertise, working with both brands and retailers across a range of corporate strategy engagements. He has also led numerous transitions through buy-side diligence, vendor due diligence and IPO processes across multiple countries.
"Providing clarity around key strategic choices, underpinned by a collaborative working style, is where we excel,” Simmonds said.
OC&C has been rapidly expanding its operations across the world recently. Now holding 12 offices worldwide, the firm most recently grew its ranks with the news it had added 12 Partners and roughly 70 consultants to its European footprint with the purchase of Long Term Partners. The Italian management consulting firm was founded by a group of former Bain & Company partners, and its purchase extended OC&C’s offering to new clients across Europe and China.
