Leeds-based Turner & Townsend acquires On The Mark to support its efforts to modernise ways of working

OTM specialises in advising organisations on how to match fast-paced technological, environmental and social change.

Its new partnership with Turner & Townsend’s programme advisory team builds on their previous work together on major defence programmes.

With operations in the US and UK, OTM has a 34-year track record of working with private and public sector clients to modernise operating models for regional, national, and multi-national companies, governments and NGOs.

OTM’s work ensures that a business’s operating model is fit for purpose and aligned with its commercial strategy, whilst achieving cultural and behavioural change. Its recommendations are designed specifically for each business as opposed to off the shelf solutions based on assumed best practices.

To embed these new operating models at pace, OTM’s expertise focuses on wide and early engagement across the client system lasting through implementation. This way, it said, barriers to sustained adoption of new ways of working are proactively addressed which are often undermined and missed by traditional change management.

Turner & Townsend and OTM have previously worked together on major defence transformation programmes. The joint team creates a collaborative operating model design service that enhances existing capabilities and expands the businesses’ combined market potential.

Get the best business news, straight to your inbox

Turner & Townsend said the move responds to increasing demand from clients to optimise their operating models reflecting new challenges and opportunities – from strategy changes and increased digitalisation, to building greater resilience; whilst achieving improved effectiveness and increased efficiencies.

OTM’s 27-strong team will join Turner & Townsend’s 195 programme advisory experts under the leadership of Dom Hollis, head of programme advisory. The current management team at OTM will continue to lead OTM’s work within the new combined business.

Vincent Clancy, chairman and chief executive of Turner & Townsend, said: “Across the globe, clients are navigating a fast-paced environment to keep major programmes in flight, and to get others off the ground - from building new defence capabilities and delivering the clean energy transition, to rethinking government investment for stronger social outcomes.

“The complexity and transformative nature of these programmes requires a fundamental rethink when it comes to established operating models for the enterprises that deliver them. Bringing OTM’s extensive expertise into our business will provide clients across the world with a unique collaborative design service and senior level programme advisory support to deliver this kind of rapid organisational change.”

Mark La Scola, founder and US director at OTM, added: “We will be able to offer our clients an improved full service and seamless experience whilst continuing to ensure the delivery of our groundbreaking, innovative operating model solutions to our wide range of global customers.”