Mark leads Oliver Wyman’s UK&I Finance and Risk Practice from the London office. Combining his academic background with practical in-depth client and sector knowledge, he is passionate about supporting firms stay resilient in the face of increased complexity.
Originally from South Africa, Mark moved to the UK to pursue a Master of Philosophy and then Doctor in Philosophy in Financial Economics as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. His subsequent work as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Corporate Reputation focused on conduct and conflicts in banking, both of which have remained key themes in the work he now does with clients.
Mark’s focus areas at Oliver Wyman cover financial, non-financial, and compliance risk, relating to the key areas of conduct, culture, and effective governance.
The financial services ecosystem is changing and fragmenting, with new entrants and propositions that require new technology and smarter use of data. This brings another set of risks. We’re here to help clients understand these and be prepared for all eventualities.
Mark explores everything from structural processes and controls to people and culture, often with wider benefits to organizations. Central to his work is helping clients to manage new forms of risk and be ready for what’s coming next. Mark’s thorough understanding of the fabric of institutions – where they’re strong and where they’re exposed – is crucial to his teams’ success.
The support we provide to our clients on culture and conduct is some of the most satisfying work I do. It helps to create a more inclusive, constructive culture which benefits the organization and the people in it. For me, this is as important as the income statement or the balance sheet.
Mark also serves on Oliver Wyman’s Inclusion Council as an Executive Sponsor of GLOW, Oliver Wyman’s LGBTQ+ colleague network, and is committed to making Oliver Wyman a place where all colleagues can thrive.
To professionals entering the consulting space, Mark advises to “throw yourself into it” and learn from every opportunity. What Oliver Wyman offers – a varied set of projects across sectors, clients, and geographies, working with different teams and partners – gives consultants a “richness of experience,” he says.
Outside of the world of financial services, Mark is a classically trained musician and loves playing the piano and running long distance.
