1994
Firm Founded Origin
Meridian Advisory established in London by three former McKinsey partners to provide independent counsel to FTSE boards.
About the firm
About the Firm
Meridian Advisory is an independent strategy and transformation firm serving regulated industries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For three decades, we have provided discreet, senior-partner-led counsel on the decisions that shape institutions.
Our Journey
Three decades of independent counsel — from a London founding to a practice spanning nine countries.
1999
First 100 Engagements
Reached our hundredth client engagement, spanning financial services, energy, and the public sector across the UK and Europe.
2005
EMEA Expansion
Opened offices in Frankfurt, Dubai, and Singapore, extending our reach to nine countries and broadening sector coverage.
2012
Risk & Regulatory Practice Launched
Established a dedicated practice to help regulated institutions navigate post-crisis supervisory expectations and operational resilience.
2019
450+ Engagements Completed Milestone
Surpassed 450 completed mandates, with cumulative transaction value advised exceeding £180 billion.
2024
Three Decades of Independence 30 Years
Celebrating 30 years of partner-led, conflict-free advisory — still privately held, still focused on the decisions that matter most.
Leadership Partners
Every Meridian engagement is led by a partner with deep sector expertise. Our leadership team brings a combined 80+ years of advisory experience.
Eleanor Hartwell
Managing Partner
Former McKinsey director with 28 years advising FTSE 100 boards on corporate strategy and post-merger integration. Leads the firm's Strategy & Transformation practice.
James Ashworth
Senior Partner, M&A Advisory
Spent 15 years at Lazard before joining Meridian. Specialises in cross-border deal origination, commercial due diligence, and synergy realisation for institutional investors.
Priya Narayanan
Partner, Risk & Regulatory
Former PRA supervisor turned advisor. Leads Meridian's regulatory strategy practice, helping banks and insurers meet DORA, operational resilience, and financial crime obligations.
Marcus Engström
Partner, Operations & Technology
Two decades of experience in cost transformation and technology strategy for energy and utilities. Previously a senior principal at Bain & Company in Stockholm.
Working with Meridian
Common questions about our engagement approach, fees, and areas of expertise.
How does a typical Meridian engagement begin?
Every engagement starts with a confidential scoping conversation led by a senior partner. We invest time upfront to understand the strategic context, stakeholder landscape, and desired outcomes before proposing a workstream structure and resourcing plan.
What is your fee structure?
We work on a fixed-fee or capped-fee basis for the majority of our mandates. This gives clients cost certainty and aligns our incentives with delivering value within an agreed timeframe. We do not charge by the hour.
How do you ensure confidentiality?
Confidentiality is foundational to our practice. Every engagement is governed by a non-disclosure agreement, and our conflict-clearance process ensures we never advise competing parties on related matters. Information barriers are maintained across practice areas.
What sectors do you specialise in?
Our four primary sectors are Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Energy & Utilities, and the Public Sector. Within each, our partners bring at least fifteen years of hands-on sector experience.
Do you work with mid-market companies or only large institutions?
While much of our work is with FTSE 250 and equivalent institutions, we selectively take on mid-market mandates where the strategic complexity warrants senior-partner involvement — particularly in M&A, regulatory remediation, and transformation programmes.
What makes Meridian different from the large consultancies?
Independence, seniority, and focus. We are privately held with no audit or outsourcing conflicts. Every engagement is led — not just sold — by a partner. And we decline roughly four in ten prospective mandates to protect the concentration of expertise our clients expect.