Key facts
- Deloitte UK's advisory arm has returned to growth, driven by AI consulting.
- Darren Graves, the new UK CEO, appointed Hayley McKelvey as the first chief AI officer.
- Deloitte UK is increasing its bonus pool by 14% and average salaries by 4.2%.
- Approximately 6,000 Deloitte UK employees, or 28% of the workforce, were promoted.
- The firm previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including staff travel reductions and layoffs.
- Deloitte UK reported a 1% revenue decline in early 2025, its first in over 15 years.
Deloitte UK's advisory services have rebounded into growth, fueled by a surge in demand for AI-related consulting. The firm's new UK CEO, Darren Graves, has prioritized AI strategy by appointing Hayley McKelvey as the first chief AI officer for the UK executive team. This move is part of broader executive updates aimed at positioning Deloitte for future growth.
McKelvey, who previously served as chief AI officer for Deloitte's UK tax and legal practices, brings over 20 years of experience in digital transformation. Her focus will be on harnessing AI responsibly for both clients and internal operations. This strategic emphasis on AI comes as the firm also announced a 14% increase in its bonus pool and an average 4.2% rise in salaries, alongside promoting approximately 6,000 employees, or 28% of its workforce.
This period of growth follows a challenging year for Deloitte UK, which experienced a 1% revenue decline in early 2025, its first in over 15 years. The firm had previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including reducing staff travel expenses by 50% and conducting layoffs, to address a slowdown in consulting demand. Globally, Deloitte's revenue growth stagnated at 1.9% in the fiscal year ending May 2024, lagging behind the wider consulting sector's estimated 19% growth.