Building an IT consultancy that thrives: Beyond London and traditional talent pools

The landscape of UK IT consulting is evolving rapidly. With 40% of consultancies looking to establish new regional offices outside London and Russell Group graduates making up just 30% of new hires – down from 73% in 2017 – success in 2025 demands a fresh approach to IT consultancy growth.

This isn’t just about regional IT consultancy expansion. It’s about creating resilient, adaptable consultancies that can succeed nationwide.

A £20.4 billion industry in transformation

The UK IT consulting business growth has surged, reaching £20.4 billion in 2023 – double its size since 2018. But alongside this growth, bench time remains a significant challenge for consultancies nationwide.

Top consultancies are moving beyond the London-centric, elite-university hiring models. They’re proving that innovation and excellence can emerge from diverse talent pools and regional IT consulting hubs – as long as they’re nurtured correctly.

Why traditional growth models are failing

The old approach to IT consultancy growth followed a predictable pattern: setting up a London HQ, recruiting exclusively from top-tier universities, and maintaining rigid, centralised work structures. While this worked for decades, today’s most successful consultancies are adopting a new, more flexible strategy that better reflects modern needs.

The new growth pillars

Consultancies future proofing their businesses are embracing three key pillars for sustainable IT consultancy growth that moves beyond traditional models.

Geographic diversification

Investing in regional IT consultancy expansion isn’t just reducing costs—it’s tapping into new, highly skilled talent pools while strengthening client relationships. Having a local presence fosters deeper partnerships, and with operational costs significantly lower in many regions, cost savings can be reinvested into innovation and growth.

Diverse talent acquisition

The shift away from traditional IT consultant recruitment strategies isn’t just about diversity—it’s about building a team with a broader range of perspectives and problem-solving skills. Regional hires often bring deep connections to their local markets, making consultancies more agile and resilient in the face of industry shifts.

Flexible working models

Flexibility has overtaken compensation as the #1 driver of job satisfaction. With 37% of consultants prioritising flexible work arrangements, adaptable policies not only improve retention but also help reduce costly bench time through more efficient resource allocation.

Building regional strength

Successful regional IT consulting companies do more than just open offices – they embed themselves into the local market. This requires understanding regional growth sectors, building strong business networks, and adapting services to meet local demand. The businesses effectively managing bench time can significantly outperform their London-centric competitors in profitability and client responsiveness.

Developing talent in these areas is equally important. Leading consultancies are creating regional training initiatives, partnering with universities, and launching apprenticeship schemes to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals. Supporting local talent in this way fosters long-term loyalty and a stronger, more engaged workforce.

The talent evolution

IT consultant recruitment strategies are shifting to prioritise practical skills, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset over academic pedigree. Instead of relying solely on university credentials, consultancies are seeking professionals with diverse industry experience, a problem-solving approach, and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments.

To support career growth, structured development programmes, mentorship opportunities, and clear progression pathways have been developed to ensure talent remains engaged and continuously upskilled.

See how BenchBee supports consultancy growth.

Practical steps to building a resilient IT consultancy

1. Assess your current state

Before making any changes, there should be an evaluation of your current geographic footprint, recruitment patterns, and work policies. Identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies will help define clear objectives for expansion and talent development.

2. Plan strategic expansion

Once gaps are identified, develop a scalable talent strategy that supports long-term IT consultancy growth while maintaining service quality and consultant satisfaction.. Implementing flexible working frameworks and resource-sharing networks can substantially reduce bench time while improving consultant utilisation and project efficiency.

3. Build supporting infrastructure

Technology is a crucial enabler for effective IT resource management and regional collaboration. Investing in digital tools, training initiatives, mentorship programmes, and efficient resource management is essential for sustainable growth.

The path to sustainable IT consultancy growth

Success in UK IT consulting is no longer dictated by a London postcode or elite university degrees. The most resilient IT consultancies in 2025 will be those that:

• Leverage diverse talent pools
• Strengthen regional IT consulting presence
• Foster flexible, consultant-friendly environments
• Optimise IT consultancy resource management

The question is no longer if consultancies should evolve, but how quickly they can adapt.

Getting started

Building a future-proof consultancy starts with clear, actionable steps: auditing current operations, pinpointing regional expansion opportunities, refining recruitment strategies, and implementing effective resource management.

By embracing diverse talent pools, strengthening regional presence, and optimising resource management, consultancies can achieve sustainable IT consultancy growth regardless of economic conditions.

Ready to build a more resilient IT consultancy?

Take action today. Book a demo with BenchBee and discover how our platform supports IT consulting business growth in 2025 and beyond.