The Role of UK Universities in Preparing the Management Consultants of the Future

Abstract This article focuses on the rapidly changing UK management consulting industry and the role of UK universities in helping to equip their students with the skills needed to make them more work-ready and employable for this competitive profession. Determining the future skills management consultants will need is complex because of many factors, including the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence and the impact it is having on the consulting industry. To optimise the prospects for students who are looking to enter the profession, universities must be responsive and adaptable to this evolving industry. There are many challenges associated with this, including how to forecast future skill requirements in such a dynamic industry and then tailor course curricula accordingly. This article sets the scene for future research in this area which will be completed during 2026. The research findings, conclusions, and recommendations will form the basis of a paper that will be submitted to this journal in 2027.