Valcon unveils vision to become powerhouse in AI and data-led business transformation
European consultancy firm Valcon has unveiled a sharpened strategic vision for the coming years, centred on its ambition to become a powerhouse in AI and data-driven business transformation.
The refreshed vision follows a strategic review conducted together with Rivean Capital Partners, Valcon’s majority shareholder, which joined earlier this year. Long-time investor Waterland has remained on board, re-investing in the consulting group.
Valcon’s revised strategy marks the start of what its investors have described as the firm’s “next phase of growth.” The company currently employs over 1,600 consultants across six countries.
“Our ambition is to more than double our headcount in the coming years. This will be achieved through a blend of organic and acquisitive growth,” said CEO Geert van den Goor. “We are planning on expansion in all the geographies we currently work in and have plans to expand into the DACH region [Austria, Germany and Switzerland].”
AI at the Centre
Recognising the potential and transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI), Valcon’s leadership team has placed AI at the heart of its strategy. The firm’s vision has been refined to focus on becoming a “European powerhouse in AI and data-led business transformation.”
“This doesn’t mean we will only be working on data and AI transformation projects. It’s about the strategy that data and AI will form integral aspects of all the projects we work on, whether we are working on a customer excellence initiative for a bank or regulatory initiatives in the utilities sector,” explained Van den Goor.
As part of this commitment, Valcon will embed AI and data into all its client propositions and equip its people with the skills to become proficient in both.
“AI is reshaping industries at speed. Clients are looking for partners who combine deep data and technology expertise with industry and business knowledge to unlock sustainable productivity gains. By putting AI and data at the heart of what we do, we can ensure clients achieve lasting impact while offering our people outstanding career development opportunities,” said Van den Goor.
Having invested heavily in technology over the years, Valcon is already a market leader in data and AI across many of the regions in which it operates. In both the UK and the Netherlands, the firm has been recognised by Consultancy.org as a Top Consulting Firm in the field, alongside its heritage services in management and organisational consulting.
“Our footprint and scale across Europe uniquely position us to deliver end-to-end data and AI transformations,” Van den Goor noted.
Investing in AI Capabilities
To underpin its ambitions, Valcon has announced several new initiatives, including the launch of a dedicated ‘AI Speedboat’ programme. This programme is designed to accelerate the firm’s go-to-market capabilities, enhance client delivery, and upskill its people to capture opportunities arising from the global AI revolution. The initiative is being led by the trio Koko Visser, Bart Leurs and Sander de Jongh.
“Our ‘AI Speedboat’ will involve a rigorous assessment of all client propositions and solutions to see where improvements and additions can be made through data and AI,” explained Van den Goor.
“It also has an internal focus. It involves upskilling our entire workforce with AI and data literacy and capability initiatives, ensuring we have group-wide training programmes in place.”
