Reshma Narayanankutty, Director, EY Parthenon

EY Parthenon has announced the appointment of Reshma Narayanankutty as Director, marking a significant addition to the strategy consulting firm’s senior leadership bench. The appointment reflects EY Parthenon’s continuing focus on expanding its strategic advisory capabilities and strengthening leadership across high growth markets, particularly in India.

Narayanankutty brings close to two decades of experience in management consulting, business transformation, corporate strategy and organisational leadership. Before joining EY Parthenon, she has worked across a range of roles that include advising large enterprises on digital transformation, operational restructuring, market expansion and complex change management. Her expertise spans sectors such as technology, financial services, consumer goods and diversified industries.

According to details shared by the company, her new role will involve leading strategic engagements for clients, enhancing the firm’s advisory portfolio and supporting cross functional initiatives that align with EY Parthenon’s growth plans. The appointment also comes at a time when global consulting firms are strengthening leadership talent in India, driven by rising demand for strategic, digital and AI led consulting services.

Industry observers note that Indian enterprises are increasingly seeking advisory support that combines sector expertise with advanced analytics and technology focused execution. As companies adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions, consulting firms are expanding teams in areas such as business transformation, M&A strategy, risk management and operational efficiency. Senior hires are expected to play a key role in supporting this demand.

EY Parthenon has been scaling its capabilities in India over the past few years. The firm has broadened its work in areas such as growth strategy, due diligence, performance improvement, digital transformation and sector specific advisory. The addition of senior leaders is positioned as part of its long term plan to strengthen service lines across markets and deliver more integrated solutions to clients.

With Narayanankutty’s appointment, EY Parthenon aims to reinforce its leadership in strategy and transformation consulting. Her background in working with enterprise clients, combined with deep experience in shaping large scale transformation projects, is expected to support the firm’s objective of helping businesses navigate emerging opportunities and challenges.

India continues to be a high growth market for the consulting industry. The demand for strategic advisory services has increased due to factors such as digital adoption, regulatory changes, supply chain diversification, global capability centre expansion and a broader shift toward technology enabled decision making. Consulting firms have responded by expanding senior leadership presence and investing in specialised talent.

Narayanankutty’s role will include overseeing strategic programs, mentoring consulting teams and driving innovation in client engagements. She is also expected to contribute to internal initiatives around leadership strengthening, capability building and enhancing the firm’s presence in emerging sectors. As Indian companies place greater importance on structured strategic planning, the demand for senior advisory talent is expanding across the consulting segment.

The appointment also aligns with broader hiring trends in the professional services sector. Firms have been increasing leadership recruitment to support economic recovery, digital transformation mandates and shifts in client priorities. Given the rise of data driven strategy and technology enabled business models, leaders with experience at the intersection of business and digital transformation are becoming increasingly sought after.

For EY Parthenon, the leadership addition comes at a time when the firm is engaging with clients around strategic growth opportunities in a rapidly changing business environment. The consulting landscape has become more competitive, with clients expecting deeper insights, faster execution and more integrated advisory solutions. Strengthening the leadership team is seen as a step toward meeting these expectations.

Narayanankutty’s experience in collaborative leadership and strategic direction is expected to support the firm’s goal of delivering high impact advisory work. Her appointment highlights the growing importance of leadership roles in shaping consulting practices, particularly in a market where organisations are prioritising agility, innovation and long term value creation.

The appointment has been received positively in industry circles, with professionals noting that the expanding leadership mix at strategy consulting firms signals broader growth momentum. As companies across industries revise business strategies in response to shifting market dynamics, demand for consulting expertise is expected to increase further.

EY Parthenon continues to invest in talent and capabilities across India. The addition of Narayanankutty strengthens its position as it enhances its strategic consulting offerings and expands support for organisations undergoing transformation. Her role as Director is expected to contribute to both client facing initiatives and the firm’s internal leadership development efforts.

With the appointment, EY Parthenon reiterates its focus on strengthening leadership in India to help clients navigate complex business environments. The firm’s emphasis on senior talent reflects its commitment to supporting enterprise transformation and strategic growth across sectors.