2022 Global Leaders in Consulting: Manfred Abraham

Manfred co-leads Yonder and is responsible for the development of the offer and ensuring the consultancy delivers only the highest quality solutions to its clients. Manfred founded BrandCap (one of the four businesses to be amalgamated to create Yonder) after heading up consulting at Interbrand in London and occupying senior strategy roles at Wolff Olins. He is dedicated to business improvement and supporting people in their professional growth.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

Being brave enough to launch Yonder in the midst of the pandemic at one of the most difficult times for human equity-based businesses. Clients said they wanted something different from consulting firms and couldn't find it in the market. I knew that I could satisfy that need by bringing together four legacy businesses in a unique blend of strategy, insight and imagination that leverages the power of data and uses that insight to influence strategy in real time so that clients can make effective decisions that are value creating for the business now, and for the future. But the $64,000 question: would clients buy? Thankfully, yes! In their droves.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Being true to themselves. Not being scared to provide a solution that is unexpected. All too often consultancies provide solutions that are proven to deliver, but as a result, often overlook opportunities that could have made greater incremental returns.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

The breadth of the work. On any one day I can be working with a global hotel chain, through to a niche b2b SME. The most rewarding thing about it is that despite the sector or the size of the business, I know we can make a big difference.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Dress well and bring your dog into the office.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

Being recognized as a global leader is testament to my team, for without them there is no Yonder. My vision has always been to create a consultancy that is built from the ground up by the people in it. Consultancy is a people business and therefore creating a culture and devising a new disruptive approach which enables us all to thrive and deliver exceptional results for the client is of paramount importance. The key to my success lies in empowering everyone at Yonder.