Kearney expands Southeast Asia footprint with new Manila office

Global management consulting firm Kearney has launched a new office in Manila, its 16th location in Asia Pacific.

The move to establish an on the ground presence in the Philippines comes according to Southeast Asia managing partner Nithin Chandra in response to “strong client demand” for its services.

Kearney has been serving clients in the Philippines since the 2010s, providing its expertise from its other offices in Singapore (headquarters), Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. “Over the years, we’ve helped companies in sectors such as communication, media, technology, financial services, and health,” said Chandra.

“Our Philippines business portfolio has grown steadily in the past few years. We see plenty of growth opportunities, now is the right time to enter the market,” Chandra continued.

Much of the growth opportunities come on the back of the rapidly growing Philippine economy. According to the Asian Development Bank’s latest forecast, the Philippines leads all Southeast Asian countries in its 2022 GDP growth at 6.5%, tying with Vietnam, with the growth momentum forecasted to remain strong in 2023 (6.3%).

“The Philippines has risen as a compelling alternative for global supply chains against recent geopolitical headwinds and disruptions,” said Chandra, pointing at the growing number of corporates that are selecting Manila and other cities nationally as a base for their regional logistics.

Meanwhile, “we expect to see Philippine corporates grow into adjacencies and accelerate their entry into the digital economy and more locally nurtured tech companies playing a role at a regional or even global level.”

At the government side of the landscape, major investments are unleashing a wave of infrastructure and capital projects initiatives.

“These factors, together with the Philippines’ recent trajectory and strong fundamentals, make us incredibly bullish about the road ahead,” said Chandra.

Founded in 1926 in the United States, Kearney is one of the world’s leading strategic and management consultancies. In Manila, the firm joins the likes of the Big Four, and closer rivals such as McKinsey & Company (which launched in 1999), Boston Consulting Group (launched in 2018) and Bain & Company (launched earlier this year).

Led by Filipino Marco de la Rosa, Philippines Country Head, Kearney is planning to grow its team in the next few quarters by hiring more local talent, who will be supported by a bench of experts in the region, particularly in the areas of procurement, operations, and supply chain.

“Our Manila office represents our commitment to bringing the very best of Kearney to the corporations, institutions and people of the Philippines. I am thrilled to serve our clients even better, to grow with them, and to make an even bigger difference to my nation,” said De la Rosa.