olivier burnouf

Independent Strategy Consultant at Aetius Strategy Advisory Ltd

Bio Summary

A corporate and business strategist with 25 years of experience and an MBA from Warwick Business School I first worked with tier-1 consultancies, such as McKinsey and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young before becoming an independent consultant.

I then helped some of the world largest financial services firms enter new markets (notably expand globally), strengthen their competitive position, develop new business models and align their operating models with their new strategies.

In 2016-18 set up the strategy function of a UK-based global financial services firm

Have worked in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Central & Eastern Europe, and had exposure to US and Asia.

Strong problem solving skills; proven ability to challenge established views and assumptions; experience in leading debates at CxO level notably in multicultural environments.

Employment History

Independent Strategy Consultant

Aetius Strategy Advisory Ltd

September 2018 - present

London, UK

Strategy advisor to CEOs and Boards of international financial services firms, especially FinTechs. Examples of projects: • Assessed the strategy of a global trade finance FinTech and developed a set of alternative strategi ...see more

Global Head Of Strategy

Bibby Financial Services

September 2016 - July 2018

Banbury, UK

Created from scratch the strategy function Refreshed the corporate strategy Reviewed the budgeting process to align it with refreshed corporate strategy Built a comprehensive approach to formulate the digital strategy Formula ...see more

Independent Strategy Consultant

Aetius Strategy Advisory Ltd

December 2003 - July 2016

London, UK

Helped Forbes Global 2,000 companies develop strategies. Examples of projects: • Designed a new business model for a world top 5 private bank that reduced its cost/income ratio by 10 points (in 1 country) • Developed a successful market entry strategy in private banking in the Middle East for a Europe top 10 bank • Supported a top 50 US fund manager develop a successful market entry strategy in 9 European countries • Helped Metro Cash & Carry record for 3 years double digit sales growth by designing and rolling-out harmonised processes • Helped a leading French bank increase its pensions & benefits business by 60% in 12 months by formulating a new strategy • Validated the feasibility of a global operating model for the ring-fenced operations of a world top 10 investment bank • Designed and implemented tools and processes that ensured Metro Cash & Carry's projects remained aligned with strategy • Put back on track a global (40 countries) transformation programme for a Europe top 10 bank by defining a new road map • Identified process improvement opportunities (time and quality) for the digital bank of a world top 3 insurer • Assessed market opportunities in the financial services for a Russian hypermarkets chain • Designed tools and processes to help a world top 10 bank align IT strategy with business strategy in emerging markets • Assessed opportunities offered by robo-advisors for a French top 10 life insurer • Designed the target organisation of a start-up (funds selection) backed by Middle-East Sovereign Wealth Funds • Helped a UK online fashion retail portal start-up define its business model • Formulated the successful market entry strategy in France of a UK leader in commercial due diligence for buyout funds • Developed the corporate strategy of a UK retail consultancy (a proposition for PE funds was successfully launched)