Olivier Marchal
Bain & Company
Excellence in Influence
Olivier Marchal is the chairman of Bain & Company France, and a highly sought–after expert on the country's economy and global competitiveness. Marchal joined the firm in 1986 and worked successively in London and Brussels before serving as managing partner of the Paris office from 2001 to 2008, a period during which Bain's activity in France more than tripled.
"Looking back over my career, I'm most proud of Bain's 2005 recognition as the Best Place to Work in France," Marchal says. "There is no better success factor in our industry than a motivated team of talented people eager to have an impact. This is something we always seek to achieve at Bain."
He was then appointed managing director for Bain Europe, the Middle East and Africa, responsible for creating the region's governance structure, infrastructure and strategy. Under his leadership, the firm expanded its footprint across EMEA, opening offices in Dubai, Warsaw, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Oslo, and Copenhagen. He oversees assignments in a variety of industries including consumer goods, retail, industrial services and transportation.
"Over the last year, I've been most proud of working with Bain teams for NGOs such as Positive Planet or Espérances Banlieues to make our planet and our country better places for the next generations," he says.
Ask Marchal what motivates him to excel and he'll say that he's most motivated by having an impact and driving change. "Managing the status quo is easy and uninteresting," he says. "Changing things is hard; it requires you to push your limits, and seek excellence. Having an impact is at the heart of Bain's mission, and one of the firm's values I most cherish.
Meanwhile, Marchal attributes his success to being curious, and having the chance to work with inspiring people. "The reason I have been a consultant with Bain for 32 years is the incredibly stimulating community of people I am fortunate to work with," he says. "I learn something from them every day, and have fun with them every day!"
Q&A: What does being recognized as a Global Leader in Consulting mean to you? Your firm? Your clients?
Marchal: It's incredibly humbling to be selected as a Global Leader in Consulting, especially among such an esteemed group of peers. I think of this recognition as a thank you to my colleagues around the world, who make Bain a truly great place to work, and to my clients who challenge me every day.
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