Nous Group names Julie Mercer as UK lead

International consultancy Nous Group has announced the appointment of Julie Mercer as the company’s UK office lead. She takes the role as the firm embarks on a new phase of growth.

Nous Group Founder, Tim Orton, commented, “In just over a year, Julie has already made a huge impact at Nous. She has a wealth of experience in consulting as well as board and advisory roles and I’m thrilled she will be leading our UK operations as we further expand our network and relationships in higher education, government and the public sector.”

A seasoned consultant, Mercer spent 22 years of her career at Big Four firm Deloitte, where she was latterly the Global Education Lead, responsible for setting up and growing their education practice in the UK. In 2019, she became part of the education practice of Cairneagle, where she worked as a Partner.

Mercer first joined Nous as a Principal in November 2021, and has since played a key role leading the firm’s higher education strategy and transformation programmes. As the firm’s UK leader, her focus will grow to support Nous’ UK business across education and government and working with clients, existing and new, to address their most strategically pressing priorities.

Speaking on her new challenge, Mercer noted, “It is an absolute privilege to work at Nous and to now be leading our UK office. I truly believe that Nous offers a different approach to working with clients and is in some ways the best kept secret in consulting. I want to change that. Our unique proposition is grounded in our purpose of changing people’s lives for the better and I’m excited to work with the team and bring this offer to more clients across the UK.”

Nous boasts more than 700 experts, working across the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Its broad consulting capability spans strategy, organisational performance, leadership and capability, transformation and implementation, economics, public policy, data and analytics, digital and design.

As she looks to drive that proposition forward in the UK, Mercer takes the reins from previous Principal Simon Lancaster. He has worked alongside the firm’s senior team to build Nous’ profile and business in the UK since the group opened its doors in London in 2015. Under his leadership, the UK team has established its expertise working with universities, governments, not-for-profit organisations and businesses to address their most challenging strategic issues.

Speaking on Lancaster’s time as UK leader, Managing Principal Orton added, “The UK was our first office outside Australia, where we founded the business 24 years ago. Simon has done an incredible job, ensuring our ethos, approach and ambition for positive influence are embodied in our client work, our operations and our relationships in the UK. We cannot thank him enough for leading the UK office during this vital stage of our development and we look forward to him taking on a bigger project focus as Julie steps into the office lead role.”