McKinsey’s Australian and New Zealand operation has moved quickly to reassure the firm’s consultants that they are not being targeted by a global review that plans to eliminate about 2000 jobs, or more than 4 per cent of the strategy consulting firm’s 45,000-strong global workforce.

The review will instead focus on cutting roles held by staff working in functions such as information technology, finance, communications and human resources. The plan is typical of a review that McKinsey would carry out for a client wanting to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of back-office functions.