We enabled McKinsey & Company to boost European leadership in advanced analytics and commercial strategy, placing PhD- and MBA-qualified hires in Hamburg and Amsterdam who expanded delivery across 8+ markets, drove hundreds of millions in revenue through AI and ML, and elevated thought leadership across sectors.
Situation
McKinsey needed to strengthen its senior leadership in advanced analytics and commercial strategy to accelerate European growth and drive measurable client impact.
McKinsey’s Growth, Marketing & Sales Practice needed to strengthen its leadership bench in advanced analytics, revenue optimisation, and commercial strategy to meet growing demand across Europe.
The brief required senior leaders who could:
- Operate at the intersection of deep technical expertise and commercial leadership.
- Combine PhD level research capability with MBA qualified business acumen.
- Deliver measurable impact for clients in multiple industries and geographies.
Approach
We were retained to run a targeted pan-European executive search to strengthen McKinsey’s leadership in advanced analytics and commercial strategy. This involved:
Market Mapping
Identifying senior leaders with doctoral-level analytical rigour and executive-level strategic skills across Europe.
Rigorous Screening
Applying cultural and performance assessments to ensure long-term fit within McKinsey’s high-performance environment.
Candidate Prioritisation
Focusing on individuals with proven thought leadership and a strong track record of high-value client delivery.
End-to-End Management
Overseeing all stages from search strategy through to offer negotiation, balancing speed and quality.
Core Focus Areas
Cultural Fit: Ensuring alignment with McKinsey’s organisational values and goals
Leadership Acumen: Prioritising candidates with demonstrated leadership capabilities
Strategic Insight: Selecting individuals who deliver measurable commercial impact across industries and geographies
Result
The senior leadership placements helped McKinsey expand its advanced analytics and commercial strategy capabilities across Europe, driving significant client impact and industry innovation.
Key Appointments
Senior Leader – Hamburg
Combined PhD and MBA credentials; promoted to Partner with a tenure of 12+ years, playing a pivotal role in strategic growth and client delivery.
Senior Leader – Amsterdam
Brought deep technical expertise and commercial insight, strengthening McKinsey’s footprint in advanced analytics and revenue optimisation.
Regional Growth & Innovation
Expanded delivery capability across 8+ European markets by introducing AI and ML methodologies that influenced hundreds of millions in revenue. Strengthened McKinsey’s thought leadership with methodologies and insights widely adopted across multiple sectors.
“Banba understood the unique demands of McKinsey’s advanced analytics and commercial strategy needs across Europe. Their targeted search delivered exceptional senior leaders with the rare blend of PhD-level expertise and executive acumen. These hires didn’t just join the team — they accelerated our growth, introduced cutting-edge AI and ML innovations, and strengthened our thought leadership across multiple markets. Banba’s approach was instrumental in driving measurable impact and long-term success.”
— Senior Partner, Mckinsey & Company
Through a targeted pan-European executive search, Banba helped McKinsey unlock senior leadership talent combining deep technical expertise and commercial acumen, meeting urgent demands for advanced analytics and commercial strategy across multiple markets. This approach demonstrates how focused, strategic talent acquisition can drive measurable growth, innovation, and long-term leadership in a competitive, high-impact consulting environment.
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