Consultants who specialise in helping clients reduce costs are in high demand amid the uncertain economic and geopolitical environment, a bright spot for an otherwise slow advisory market.

Advisers – from strategy firm Boston Consulting Group, big four firms KPMG and PwC and consultant marketplace Expert360 – are increasingly being asked to carry out cost-cutting programs that range from optimising the use of existing assets, upskilling and reducing staff numbers, to digitisation and automation.