History

Did you know that your browser is out of date?

For the best experience we recommend upgrading to the latest version of these supported browsers:

I wish to continue viewing on my unsupported browser

A History Of Forward Thinking

Our eyes have always been
trained on the future.

Our history

Begin your tour through our history.

Close

That's illustrated by the series of mergers, acquisitions, and geographic expansions that dot our timeline and have shaped our firm. From developing our annual State of the Financial Services Industry report to creating a long-range vision for New York City as the world's leading media capital, it's forward thinking that allows us to tackle current issues, understand their long-term implications, and prepare our clients to harness the power of all that lies ahead.

Start
Left Right

  • 1972

    Strategic Planning Associates, Inc. founded in Washington, D.C.

    (From left) Oliver Wyman founders Alex Oliver, Chuck Bralver and Bill Wyman.

    We were looking to start a
    firm that was less hierarchical and more collaborative,
    a firm where people could rise in the organization with a speed that matched their accomplishments. We were also seeking to build a business culture that
    was intellectually and philosophically converged. And we wanted to have
    more fun along the way.

    Chuck Bralver
    Co-founder
    Oliver, Wyman & Company

    1984

    The Oliver, Wyman & Company Continuum

    1988

    Oliver, Wyman & Company initiates expansion outside of the US with office openings in London and Toronto

    1995

    Oliver Wyman & Company establishes presence in the Pacific Rim

    2003

    Mercer Oliver Wyman formed, following the acquisition of Oliver, Wyman & Company by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

    Oliver, Wyman & Company founded in New York

    The Financial Services industry had just been deregulated, and many of the major players were truly unaware of the economics of their own businesses. Oliver Wyman saw this as a prime opportunity to help major players gain a measure of clarity about their businesses, products, and customer groups and then help them set far-reaching strategies.

  • 1988

    Oliver Wyman & Company initiates expansion outside US with office openings in London and Toronto.

    Oliver, Wyman & Company creates dedicated risk management practice.

    1990

    Tom Waylett (left), head of Marsh & McLennan Companies consulting operations, and Carl Sloane, co-founder of Temple, Barker & Sloane.

    Through the merger TBS will focus on international expansion to Europe and the Far East, expand our network of US offices, develop new practice areas via de novo startups or acquisitions, and strengthen our established practices through increased investment in people as well as products/services.

    Carl Sloane
    co-founder of Temple
    Barker & Sloane

    1987

    The Temple, Barker Continuum

    1970

    Temple, Barker & Sloane Founded

    1990

    Marsh & McLennan merge Temple, Barker & Sloane and Strategic Planning Associates

    1992

    Temple, Barker & Sloane and Strategic Planning Associates renamed Mercer Management Consulting, Inc.

    Temple, Barker & Sloane acquired by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

    Temple, Barker & Sloane was Marsh & McLennan's entry into the management consulting space, adding a new, high-growth, high-margin professional service to the firm and providing synergies in serving clients across all its professional services businesses.

    Known For…

    Temple, Barker & Sloane was instrumental in creating the "World Sea Trade Service," a publication providing data on all global movements of all goods by sea, segmented by type (e.g. grain) and by route (e.g. US West Coast to Japan). This work served as the basis for a 30-year projection of commercial fleet activity by TBS, commissioned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

  • 1998

    Mercer MC acquires Dr. Seebauer & Partner GmbH

    2000

    Mercer MC acquires St. Gallen Consulting Group

    Joining Oliver Wyman in 1993 enabled UBM to move from a geography-based consulting firm to a global industrial vertical organization, focused on the manufacturing and automotive sectors.

    Dr. August Joas
    Leader
    Global Automotive Practice

    1993

    The European Market Continuum

    1995

    Mercer MC acquires MID S.A. (France).

    Mercer Management Consulting acquires Unternehmensberatung Munchen (UBM) GmbH.

    The merger established a strong presence for the firm in Germany and Switzerland.

    Known For...

    Automotive Supplier Roundtable; Perspectives on Manufacturing Industries

  • 2005

    Mercer Oliver Wyman forms its Strategic IT practice and a Corporate Risk Consulting group

    From the client perspective it brings together leading-edge, complementary capabilities that address the full range of challenges facing companies competing in the global telecom and technology industries. The intellectual capital, industry knowledge base, and client focus of the combined practice will be the best in the business.

    Javier Baigorri
    Leader
    Managing Partner, International

    2006

    The Middle East Continuum

    2006

    Dubai Office Founded

    2010

    Abu Dhabi Office Founded

    2011

    Riyadh Office Founded

    Mercer Management Consulting acquires DiamondCluster International's Continental Europe, Middle East, and South America operations.

    The ex-Cluster team – based in Paris, Munich, Madrid, Barcelona, Dubai, and Sao Paulo – is largely focused on consulting to companies in the telecommunications and technology industries. In Europe, the combined firm's Communications, Media & Consulting practice is the second largest consultancy serving these industries. The acquisition also gives the firm a new South American presence and significantly accelerates the build-out of its Dubai-based operations.

    Known For...

    State of the Communications, Media & Technology Industry report

  • 2008

    Oliver Wyman acquires ChapterHouse, Academee (United Kingdom), Hemeria (France), Celent, and Harbour Consulting.

    Over the past five years Oliver Wyman has been the fastest growing among the top ten consulting firms. Our long-term aspiration is to be recognized widely in the market as the gold standard in consulting.

    John Drzik
    Chief Executive Officer, 2000-2013

    2007

    The Oliver Wyman Continuum

    1984

    Oliver, Wyman & Company founded in New York

    1988

    Oliver, Wyman & Company initiates expansion outside of the US with office openings in London and Toronto

    1995

    Oliver Wyman & Company establishes presence in the Pacific Rim

    2003

    Mercer Oliver Wyman formed, following the acquisition of Oliver, Wyman & Company by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

    Oliver Wyman is created through the merger of Mercer Management Consulting, Mercer Delta and Mercer Oliver Wyman.

    By focusing on a select set of industries and having a more flexible business model than our competitors, Oliver Wyman is building a "next generation" consulting firm with much deeper industry knowledge and expertise than our competition; indisputably deeper skills in the key capability areas of highest importance to the industries we are targeting; and a superior track record in delivering real impact for our clients.

    Known For...

    The Upside: The 7 Strategies for Turning Big Threats Into Growth Breakthroughs by Adrian Slywotzky

    Building Better Boards: A Blueprint for Effective Governance By David A. Nadler, Beverly A. Behan and Mark D. Nadler

  • 2013

    Scott McDonald named Chief Executive Officer of Oliver Wyman Group.

    Mr. McDonald will have responsibility for managing Oliver Wyman, NERA and Lippincott. He will report to Dan Glaser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies and will become a member of the Marsh & McLennan Companies Executive Committee.

    Corven’s recognized expertise complements our own. Together we’re better positioned to solve the most significant business challenges our oil and gas, utilities, and infrastructure clients face, helping them to emerge as leaders in their chosen markets.

    Peter Walsh
    Head of Manufacturing, Transportation & Energy

    2012

    Oliver Wyman Expands Energy Practice with Corven Acquisition

    Oliver Wyman deepens its global footprint in the energy sector. "The energy sector is one of great importance to the world’s economy, and it is a strategic priority for our firm," says Scott McDonald, CEO of Oliver Wyman. "An expanded team of 40 partners and principals dedicated to energy clients allows us to scale up our consulting and advisory services in this crucial space in a differentiated way."

    Well known for its strategy, operational risk, and performance improvement capabilities, Corven has offices in London, Houston, Boston, and Chicago.

  • 2012

    Oliver Wyman launches rebrand
    Oliver Wyman acquires Corven

  • 2008

    Oliver Wyman acquires ChapterHouse.
    Oliver Wyman acquires Academee (United Kingdom).
    Oliver Wyman acquires Hemeria (France).
    Oliver Wyman acquires Celent.
    Oliver Wyman acquires Harbour Consulting.

  • 2007

    Mercer Oliver Wyman, Mercer Management Consulting, and Mercer Delta Organizational Consulting join forces under the name Oliver Wyman.
    Mercer MC acquires CAVOK International, Inc. (US).

  • 2006

    Mercer MC acquires DiamondCluster International's Continental Europe, Middle East, and South America operations.
    Mercer MC acquires MultiModal Applied Systems (US).

  • 2005

    Mercer Oliver Wyman forms its Strategic IT practice and a Corporate Risk Consulting group, including practice areas in Enterprise Risk, Actuarial, and Strategic Finance.

  • 2004

    Mercer Delta acquires CDR International, LLC (US).
    Mercer MC acquires c.r.m. Concord, s.a. (Spain).

  • 2003

    Mercer Oliver Wyman formed, following the acquisition of Oliver, Wyman & Company by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

  • 2002

    Mercer Delta acquires Change Management Consultants (France).
    Mercer Delta acquires Johnston Smith International, Inc. (Canada).
    Mercer MC acquires Informed Sources Holdings Ltd. (UK and US).
    Oliver, Wyman & Company acquires Intervaluenet (Italy).

  • 2000

    Delta Consulting Group acquired by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
    Mercer MC acquires Análisis y Desarrollo de Proyectos (Mexico).
    Mercer MC acquires St. Gallen Consulting Group (Germany and Switzerland).

  • 1998

    Mercer MC acquires Dr. Seebauer & Partner GmbH (Germany and Switzerland).
    Oliver, Wyman & Company acquires Higginson & Partners (UK).

  • 1997

    Mercer MC acquires Corporate Decisions, Inc. (US, UK, France).

  • 1995

    Oliver, Wyman & Company establishes presence in the Pacific Rim.
    Mercer MC acquires MID S.A. (France).

  • 1993

    Mercer MC acquires Unternehmensberatung Munchen GmbH (Germany and Switzerland).

  • 1992

    Temple, Barker & Sloane / Strategic Planning Associates name changed to Mercer Management Consulting, Inc.

  • 1990

    Merger of Temple, Barker & Sloane and Strategic Planning Associates.
    Strategic Planning Associates acquired by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
    Oliver, Wyman & Company creates a dedicated risk management practice that helps transform how financial institutions and major corporations manage risk.

  • 1988

    Oliver, Wyman & Company initiates expansion outside of the US with office openings in London and Toronto.

  • 1987

    Temple, Barker & Sloane acquired by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

  • 1986

    William M. Mercer acquires Duncan C. Fraser & Co and Future Cost Analysts, forming the initial basis of Oliver Wyman's Risk Finance and Insurance operations.

  • 1984

    Oliver, Wyman & Company founded in New York.

  • 1980

    Delta Consulting Group founded in New York.

  • 1972

    Strategic Planning Associates, Inc. founded in Washington, D.C.

  • 1970

    Temple, Barker & Sloane, Inc. founded in Boston.