Multinational consulting firm BIP has selected Paul Fenton to become a partner in its public sector team. He brings more than three decades of experience to the role, having helped UK government and public services drive digital change throughout his career.
Roei Haberman, chief executive officer, BIP UK, said, “As the government navigates a period of significant change, BIP’s extensive capabilities in technology, data, risk, human capital and operational transformation position us to help shape a more resilient, innovative, and responsive public sector for the future. Paul joins us at a crucial time where his experience will be fundamental in ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence.”
Headquartered in Milan, BIP is a global network of professional services experts, which moved into the UK with the acquisition of Chaucer in 2020. Having since rebranded as BIP UK, that firm is currently working to expand its senior team, across a number of fronts. Earlier in 2024, this saw the firm appoint Alistair Lovegrove as its chief strategy officer for its UK division – looking to further drive the integration and growth of the business.
Now, as it builds on this momentum, the arrival as Paul Fenton aims to supercharge the firm’s impact for public sector clients – at a key time for public sector consultancies.
The recently-elected government is looking to scale back spending on private sector expertise. Recent figures show that there has been a 57% increase in government spending on consulting services since 2019 – and the newly elected Labour administration has pledged to reduce that spend by more than £3 billion over the coming five years. However, for firms able to compete within these terms, there could still be a rich vein of work to tap into – supporting long-delayed transformations in central government organisations, local authorities and the NHS, nationally and regionally.
As the partner leading BIP UK’s public sector wing, Fenton will work at the intersection of technology and public sector innovation. According to a release from the firm, his experience and leadership will be “instrumental in guiding BIP’s efforts to drive innovation and deliver exceptional outcomes”, with an initial focus on supporting home affairs, health and social care communities in particular.
He brings over 30 years of deep public sector expertise, with a track record of driving digital transformation across public services. In that time, he has held senior roles at the Cabinet Office, Accenture, Capita, and Serco, shaping strategic growth and delivering large-scale transformations across the public sector. Having led initiatives to modernise government services and enhance digital capabilities, he also played a pivotal role in advancing the UK Government’s Digital Britain agenda.
Speaking on his appointment, Fenton commented, “As the public sector evolves rapidly, ensuring that every pound of public money delivers meaningful value is paramount. I am excited to join BIP at this pivotal moment, where our extensive expertise in future-focused operating models and digital transformation is driving real, lasting impact across local communities, health services, central government and national defence. The focus must be on driving innovation and delivering outcomes that not only benefit communities, but lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term success in the public sector.”