PA Consulting Group

PA was founded in 1943 as Personnel Administration by Ernest E. Butten, Tom H. Kirkham and Dr David Seymour. Britain's war effort created great demand for munitions and goods, which had to be produced by a relatively unskilled workforce. Butten and his colleagues formed Personnel Administration Limited to provide advice to industry as to how to improve the productivity of their workers.Pagano, Margareta (30 January 2011) [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/a-perfect-partnership-between-the-geeks-and-suits-2198268.html A perfect partnership between the geeks and suits] The Independent

PA was an offshoot of the pre-war Bedaux Company.Kipping Matthias [https://books.google.com/books?id=Mz2MAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA66 Management Consultancies and Organizational Innovation in Europe] in Pérez, Paloma Fernández and Rose, Mary (Eds) Innovation and Entrepreneurial Networks in Europe p.66, Routledge, 2009. {{ISBN|1135213801}} Bedaux in turn had been developed based on the 'scientific management' theories of Frederick Winslow Taylor and Frank Gilbreth. Butten sought to take the mechanistic and task-orientated concepts of scientific management and add a human dimension to them. The chief idea, along the lines of Douglas McGregor's 'Theory Y', was that by involving the worker in the process of change and a suitable form of ownership, greater gains could be made both by the worker and the organisation.Ernest Butten Obituary - The Times (London, England), Tuesday, 26 March 1985; pg. 14; Issue 62096.

PA's first assignment was to train volunteer women to assemble the tail gun section of Avro Lancaster bombers, as part of Britain's policy of bringing women into the factories to free up male workers for the armed forces.Power, Helen (15 August 2008) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/2794951/Britains-biggest-private-companies-Expertise-at-your-service.html Britain's biggest private companies: Expertise at your service] The Daily Telegraph

By 1964, PA had dropped the name Personnel Administration and was known as simply PA Consulting Group.The Times Monday 1 June 1964, p.19, Issue:56026 PA expanded and, by 1970, was the world’s largest management consulting firm by headcount.Hill, Andrew (11 November 2013) [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3385b7da-423d-11e3-bb85-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2uNMpvTT0 Change ripples through fish tank] FT.com PA had also expanded geographically, mostly along the lines of the Commonwealth, with its operations in Australia providing about a third of the firm's revenue.

Butten retired from PA in 1970, having earlier sold his 100% shareholding in PA to the Butten Trust in 1958. The Trust was intended as a long-term guardian of PA's fortunes and an assurance that the company would be 'owned by the employees'.The Times, 26 March 1985, Ernest Butten obituary

During this period, PA found success in advising companies on potential applications of technology to business issues. This led to them building technology centres in Melbourn, UK, and Princeton, USA.

Towards the end of the '80s, PA's management took the firm public. The Butten Trust, after an application to the courts in the UK, agreed to give 15% of its shares to its employees. However, the company changed its strategy after 1992 to one of staff ownership.

Between 1991 and 1994, PA reduced its workforce by almost half. In 1992, Jon Moynihan was appointed as chief executive of PA.Inspirational Chief works wonder for PA Consulting, Sunday Times 7 March 1999Hill, Andrew (22 December 2013) [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/65c2ea6c-6671-11e3-8675-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2uNMpvTT0 Jon Moynihan, the consummate consultant] FT.com

Jeremy Asher became group CEO in 1998.2 November 1999 (Tewksbury) [http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/opinion/1747459/profile-jeremy-asher-this-enjoys-watching-employees-run PROFILE: JEREMY ASHER - This man enjoys watching his employees run in] accountancyage.com[https://archive.today/20140226005217/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=1259870&ticker=TRP:LN&previousCapId=24686&previousTitle=AMDOCS+LTD Jeremy Asher - Executive Profile] Business Week | Tower Resources Plc The firm acquired Hagler Bailly Inc. in 2000 for around $96 million in cash.(20 June 2000) [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/20/business/company-news-hagler-bailly-agrees-to-purchase-by-pa-consulting.html Company News; Hagler Bailly agrees to purchase by PA Consulting] The New York Times

Government figures released in 2010 showed that PA was the second largest beneficiary of UK Government contracts to consulting firms, receiving £11million over the first year of the coalition.Hope, Christopher and Quilty-Harper, Conrad (19 November 2010) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8143897/Coalition-spends-more-than-200million-on-consultants-PR-and-marketing.html Coalition spends more than £200m on consultants, PR and marketing] The Daily Telegraph It has gained publicity for its work on analysing what it has called the zombie economy.(13 November 2012) [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20262282 'Zombie' companies eating away at economic growth] BBC News OnlineAhmed, Kamal (7 November 2009) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/kamal-ahmed/6520424/Zombies-are-lurking-on-every-high-street.html Zombies are lurking on every high street] The Daily Telegraph Other work includes its annual survey of opinion in higher education,Garner, Richard (24 June 2013) [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/up-to-30-universities-could-close-or-face-merger-because-of-government-reforms-and-dwindling-student-numbers-8672109.html Up to 30 universities 'could close or face merger' because of government reforms and dwindling student numbers] The Independent and ongoing technological innovations, including a new type of round kitchen towel.Chapman, Jenny (11 December 2012) [http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Business/Brains-Factory-from-bomb-disposal-to-paper-towels-11122012.htm Brains Factory - from bomb disposal . . . to paper towels] Cambridge News

On 31 December 2013, Jon Moynihan retired as executive chairman,(10 June 2013) [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pa-consulting-group-executive-chairman-182329042.html UPDATE: PA Consulting Group Executive Chairman Jon Moynihan Announces Plan to Retire] Yahoo! Finance and was replaced by Marcus Agius, the former chairman of Barclays Bank.Quinn, James (20 November 2013) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/barc/10463895/Agius-to-chair-PA-Consulting.html Aguis to Chair PA Consulting] The Daily Telegraph In March 2014 the company launched a new logo (the third in its history), a new visual identity and redesigned website.(4 March 2014) [http://www.theconsultant.eu/news/pa-celebrates-70-years-of-innovation.html PA celebrates 70 years of innovation with new logo re-branding] theconsultant.eu Also in March 2014, Health Select Committee member Sarah Wollaston MP questioned PA Consulting's uploading of a pseudonymised extract of Hospital Episode Statistics to Google BigQuery.{{cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |date=3 March 2014 |title=NHS England patient data 'uploaded to Google servers', Tory MP says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/03/nhs-england-patient-data-google-servers |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 February 2018}}{{cite news |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=4 March 2014 |title=Triple-headed NHS privacy scare after hospital data reach marketers, Google |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/04/tripleheaded_nhs_privacy_scare_after_hospital_data_reach_marketers_google/ |publisher=The Register |access-date=19 February 2018}} The Health and Social Care Information Centre confirmed that PA had used the data in accordance with the information sharing agreement in place.{{cite web |title=Statement: Use of data by PA consulting |date=3 March 2014 |url=http://content.digital.nhs.uk/article/3948/Statement-Use-of-data-by-PA-consulting |publisher=Health and Social Care Information Centre |access-date=19 February 2018}}

In 2015, The Carlyle Group bought a majority stake in the company, giving it a value of US$1 billion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-takes-51-stake-in-u-k-s-pa-consulting-1443528357|title=Carlyle Takes 51% Stake in U.K.'s PA Consulting|last=Becker|first=Nathan|date=29 September 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=18 May 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Gwyther |first=Matthew |title=Why private equity firm The Carlyle Group bought PA Consulting. |url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/1388602/the-willy-wonka-world-pa-consulting/ |url-access=registration |access-date=18 May 2016 |website=Management Today}}

In October 2017, PA relocated its global corporate headquarters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paconsulting.com/newsroom/releases/pa-consulting-group-relocates-headquarters-to-10-bressenden-place-9-october-2017/|title=PA Consulting Group relocates headquarters to 10 Bressenden Place|date=9 October 2017|publisher=PA Consulting|access-date=3 March 2020}}

In April 2018, PA's chairman, Marcus Agius, announced he would step down and assume the role of deputy chairman, with John Alexander replacing him. Alexander made the move from environmental and sustainability consultancy ERM, where he took the company through two rounds of private equity funding.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/marcus-agius-announces-his-intention-to-move-from-chairman-of-pa-consulting-group-to-deputy-chairman-678613223.html|title=Marcus Agius Announces His Intention to Move From Chairman of PA Consulting Group to Deputy Chairman|date=3 April 2018|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=3 March 2020}} In December 2018, PA announced it was appointing a new head of its Americas business, Ken Toombs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.consulting.us/news/1449/veteran-consulting-exec-ken-toombs-to-lead-pa-consultings-americas-team|title=Veteran consulting exec Ken Toombs to lead PA Consulting's Americas team|date=19 December 2018|publisher=Consultancy.org|access-date=3 March 2020}} The group announced Ken Toombs as CEO in October 2020, following on from Alan Middleton who stepped down after 13 years as CEO of the consultancy.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-05|title=Ken Toombs named Chief Executive Officer of PA Consulting|url=https://www.consultancy.uk/news/25736/ken-toombs-appointed-chief-executive-of-pa-consulting|access-date=2020-10-08|website=www.consultancy.uk|language=en}}

In November 2020, PA’s board announced its recommendation to accept a proposal by Jacobs Solutions to acquire a 65% stake in PA. Following a vote by PA shareholders and UK Court approval, the deal was finalised on 2 March 2021, valuing PA at £1.825 billion.

In 2021, John Cala joined PA's business in the Americas.{{Cite news|date=2021-11-12|title=John Cala joins PA Consulting as Americas leader|url=https://www.consulting.us/news/6832/john-cala-joins-pa-consulting-as-americas-leader|access-date=2022-03-25|website=www.consulting.us|language=en}}

In 2022, PA appointed a new chief financial officer and chief information officer, and created new roles for a chief research officer, head of alliances, platforms and products, and head of markets.

Chartered Accountant Will Lambe joined as CFO, moving from KPMG,{{Cite web|date=2022-03-15|title=PA Consulting welcomes Will Lambe who joins PA today as its new Chief Financial Officer|url=https://www.paconsulting.com/newsroom/releases/pa-consulting-welcomes-will-lambe-who-joins-pa-today-as-its-new-chief-financial-officer-15-march-2022/|access-date=2022-03-25|website=paconsulting.com|language=en}} while Kelly Olsen joined as CIO.{{Cite news|date=2022-01-26|title=PA Consulting names Kelly Olsen as Chief Information Officer|url=https://www.consultancy.uk/news/30216/pa-consulting-names-kelly-olsen-as-chief-information-officer|access-date=2022-03-25|website=www.consultancy.uk|language=en}}

Charlene Li, co-author of Groundswell and founder of Altimeter, became chief research officer.{{Cite news|date=2022-03-15|title=Charlene Li joins PA Consulting as chief research officer|url=https://www.consulting.us/news/7353/charlene-li-joins-pa-consulting-as-chief-research-officer|access-date=2022-03-25|website=www.consulting.us|language=en}} Rina Ladva joined the firm as head of alliances, platforms and products, making the move from Microsoft.{{Cite news|date=2022-02-21|title=Rina Ladva named Global Head of Alliances at PA Consulting|url=https://www.consultancy.uk/news/30501/rina-ladva-named-global-head-of-alliances-at-pa-consulting|access-date=2022-03-25|website=www.consultancy.uk|language=en}} And Tracey Countryman took on the role of Head of Markets, joining PA from Accenture.{{Cite web|date=2022-03-23|title=PA Consulting welcomes Tracey Countryman as Head of Markets|url=https://www.paconsulting.com/newsroom/releases/pa-consulting-welcomes-tracey-countryman-as-head-of-markets-23-march-2022/|access-date=2022-03-25|website=paconsulting.com|language=en}}

In 2023, Christian Norris was named as CEO.{{Cite news|title=Norris takes reins at burgeoning PA Consulting|url=https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/recruitment/norris-takes-reins-burgeoning-pa-consulting|date=August 30, 2023|website=Business Weekly UK}}

{{POV section|date=March 2023}}

File:Mastiff and Panama Remote Controlled Vehicle MOD 45159065.jpg with Choker mine rollers]]

PA has a strong focus on technology dating back to its work with the earliest computers in the 1950s. Its Global Innovation and Technology Centre, designed by Richard Rogers and founded by Professor Gordon Edge in 1970,[http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/people/honorary-graduates/honorary-graduates-1990/professor-gordon-edge Professor Gordon Edge - 1990] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823001919/http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/people/honorary-graduates/honorary-graduates-1990/professor-gordon-edge |date=23 August 2015 }} brunel.ac.uk - Brunel People helped create the Cambridge Phenomenon where the city became a centre for the UK’s technological companies.Quested, Tony (12 June 2013) [http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/hi-tech/15506-cambridge-tech-consultancies-rule-the-world Cambridge Tech Consultancies Rule the World] businessweekly.co.uk

Innovations developed at the centre over the past 50 years include: the original brushless servo motor; medical injectors that mean the patient does not need to see the needle; a self-monitoring device for people with diabetes that measures blood glucose levels; micrometers; and 4G wireless test equipment. During the Iraq War, PA developed the "Panama System" to protect UK troops from improvised explosive devices, winning the Management Consultancies Association's top prize for innovation.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e53c7e8a-2cec-11e2-beb2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz493DBsPpm|title='Panama': Groundbreaking project aids UK troops|last=Baxter|first=Andrew|date=12 November 2012|newspaper=Financial Times|issn=0307-1766|access-date=18 May 2016}}

File:EV chargepoint concept prototype.jpg

More recently, the Centre designed a prototype electric vehicle charging point that aims to be “as recognisable as the red post box or black cab” with the Royal College of Art for the UK Government;{{Cite news|url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/8-14-november-2021/ev-charge-point/|title=SeUK government unveils EV chargepoint design in electrification push|last=Wong|first=Henry|date=10 November 2021|newspaper=Design Week|access-date=18 March 2022}} developed the manufacturing equipment needed to mass produce edible water bottles for Notpla;{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/cleantech/seaweed-extract-drink-containers-designed-end-plastic-bottles-shame|title=Seaweed extract drink containers designed to end plastic bottles shame|last=Sweeney|first=Kate|date=16 May 2018|newspaper=Business Weekly|access-date=15 June 2020}} and helped build the world’s biggest battery in California with Vistra Energy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.consultingpoint.com/news/2021/2/3/pa-consulting-appoints-clean-energy-expert-aris-karcanias-as-global-head-of-energy-and-utilities|title=PA Consulting appoints clean energy expert Aris Karcanias as global head of energy and utilities|date=3 February 2020|newspaper=Consulting Point|access-date=18 March 2022}}

PA's venture programme (PA Group Ventures) was established in 2000.Advisers harness home-grown ideas,. Financial Times 1 September 2005

Ventures include a third-generation mobile phone business called UbiNetics that was sold for a total of $133 million in 2005;(25 May 2005) [http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/ubinetics-test-arm-sold-to-aeroflex-2005-05/ UbiNetics test arm sold to Aeroflex] electronicsweekly.com(28 July 2005) [http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/communications/csr-buys-3g-software-firm-ubinetics-2005-07/ CSR buys 3G software firm Ubinetics] electronicsweekly.com and Meridica – a drug delivery system company – that was sold to Pfizer for $125 million in 2004.(23 September 2004) [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E0DA1039F930A1575AC0A9629C8B63 COMPANY NEWS; PFIZER ACQUIRES REST OF MERIDICA FOR $125 MILLION] The New York Times PA demerged its venture arm, Ipex Capital, in June 2008.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/65c2ea6c-6671-11e3-8675-00144feabdc0.html#axzz493DBsPpm|title=Jon Moynihan, the consummate consultant|last=Hill|first=Andrew|newspaper=Financial Times|issn=0307-1766|access-date=18 May 2016}}

Other recent ventures include:

Exacsys, which develops solutions to improve Point of Care (PoC) diagnostic systems. One application of this technology is the self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) to help people manage their diabetes.

ProcServe, which provides a cloud-based procurement system. The ProcServe Trading Network covers more than 17,000 organisations and is used by central government, and the National Police Procurement Hub, as well as commercial sector customers including Orange and Xerox.{{Cite web|url=http://www.localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk/news/digital-procurement-could-save-councils-millions|title=Digital procurement 'could save councils millions' |publisher=Local Government Executive|website=www.localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk|access-date=18 May 2016}}

Argenti, a business that innovates telecare technology in partnership with local councils in the UK to improve adult social care.{{Cite news|url=https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2018/10/18/talking-alexa-assistive-technology-can-help-adult-social-care-services/|title=Talking Alexa: how assistive technology can help adult social care services|last=Haynes|first=Luke|date=18 October 2018|newspaper=Community Care|access-date=16 June 2020}}

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Category:International management consulting firms

Category:Management consulting firms of the United Kingdom

Category:Computer companies of the United Kingdom

Category:Companies based in the City of Westminster

Category:Consulting firms established in 1943

Category:1943 establishments in England

Category:The Carlyle Group companies