The 2019 Global Leaders in Consulting: Fadi Farra

Farra is Co-founder, Director & Partner at Whiteshield Partners and has more than 20 years of experience in strategy consulting and policy advisory globally, including industrial and innovation policies, agro-business, micro-economics, private sector development and competitiveness policies.

Ask him to narrow it down to just the last 12 months and he'll point to expanding the firm in three new geographies by helping governments define and implement their national agenda.

"Specifically developing with our team of economists and data scientists an innovative algorithm that can help policy makers connect the dots between all types of policies to have a 'whole of country' picture," Farra says. "Thanks to its fantastic team the firm has helped and continues to shape the future of governments and companies globally." 

It's results such as these that landed Farra on this year's list of the Global Leaders in Consulting, which he calls "a global recognition that our investment in innovation, R&D and disruptive thinking has helped position us as a thought leader in the industry," he says. "This is first and foremost a recognition to our staff and clients that help turn those new ideas into reality every day." 

Farra has also been an academic and senior lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government since 2009. Prior to founding Whiteshield Partners, Fadi was a senior economist and head of unit at the OECD in the Secretary General Office in Paris. He had joined the OECD after a career in strategy consulting with the Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney in New York and London. 

Farra chaired the Global Agenda Council on the Future of Manufacturing Council of the World Economic Forum and is a regular commentator in global media. His areas of expertise include: Manufacturing and industrial policy, Smart City, International trade, Logistics strategy, Sector competitiveness, Private sector development, Agribusiness and food security, Capital and labor markets, Investments, Venture capital, Capability building, Strategy and Market entry.

What has been the biggest factor to his success? Simple: Innovation. "Pushing the boundaries to rethink any pre-conceived assumption, putting behind it the R&D means to support it with facts and above all, having the courage to implemnt disruptive ideas against the tide," he says.  

Q&A:  What do you enjoy most about your work and the consulting profession?

"Having a wide and positive impact on the life of people and working with brilliant talents that are driven by a passion to make a difference. Waking in the morning knowing that your work is helping policy makers and private sector leaders make more informed decisions."