OPERATING MODEL
OPERATING MODEL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
As organisations grow, meeting rising customer and employee expectations within resource limits is often tricky. Improving your people alone is rarely enough. Nor is focusing solely on technology. Without a joined-up approach, the benefits of change remain out of reach.
We partner with organisations to reimagine operations from every angle.
Many organisations are facing common (but critical) operating model challenges. Whether it’s adapting to a changing workforce, unlocking the potential of AI, or enabling faster, smarter decisions, the pressure to evolve is real. Here’s where we help.
Agile workforce of the future
Markets are shifting fast. Customer expectations are evolving. Organisations are asking: how do we stay ahead? How do we organise ourselves internally to align with long-term strategic goals and deliver real business impact.
Slow decision-making, fragmented teams and disconnected processes are stifling innovation and delaying time-to-market. To thrive, you need an operating model that’s proactive – not just reactive. An operating model that empowers your people, fuels innovations and delivers business value.
We help you build cultures that embrace experimentation, design processes for digital and fosters leadership that encourages smart risk-taking. Together, we’ll create an environment where agility thrives, and where your teams are ready to respond, adapt and grow.
AI and emerging technology adoption
You’re investing in AI. You’re experimenting with AI. But are the results landing?
Without a clear strategy, strong governance and the right data foundations, AI can’t deliver meaningful change. AI is more than just another technology – it’s a design choice that shapes how your business operates. We help you embed AI into your business the right way. Centred around human insight, we’ll help you integrate AI responsibly, unlocking innovation, improving experience, maximising return on investment and delivering lasting impact.
Trust, decision-making and process evolution
Traditional hierarchies and slow decision-making structures are no longer fit for purpose. Centralised control can stifle responsiveness and disempower frontline teams. Decision bottlenecks prevent you from leveraging the knowledge and innovation of those closest to the work.
We help you shift the mindset and the model. Starting with transparency, making data and goals visible across the organisation. Then empowering teams with the tools and accountability they need to act.
Without effective process and data management, even the best governance and decision-making structures will fall flat. Static processes and delayed data analysis quickly become outdated. The future lies in process intelligence — leveraging automation, AI-driven mining and real-time insights to continuously refine workflows. The result? A more agile organisation, where people feel trusted and valued, and decisions happen at the right level.
How we help
We make change happen, quickly and effectively. We don’t just design theoretical blueprints, we deliver practical solutions that generate immediate value while laying the groundwork for long-term success.
Our approach blends structure designed with real-world testing. We collaborate closely with your leadership team to shape operating models that align with strategy and flex with change. Together, we’ll focus on actionable improvements that delivery sustainable transformation.
Ultimately, we’ll make sure you’re ready to deliver on your 2030 strategy – whatever the market throws your way.
Rapid diagnostics
Quickly identify misalignment between strategy and operations to provide recommendations to focus design efforts and accelerate impact.
Organisational design
Build a high-performing organisation by structuring teams, roles, and capabilities to enable strategic execution and to deliver business objectives.
AI operating model
Strategically and responsibly integrate AI to maximise value, enhance governance, and improve decision-making.
Process optimisation
Redesign processes to eliminate complexity, boost efficiency, and drive continuous improvement.
Cost optimisation
Analyse cost structures to cut unnecessary spend and improve financial transparency.
Governance and decision making
Optimise governance and realign structures to reduce inefficiencies and enable faster, clearer decision-making.
Our Credentials
We’ve worked with some of the largest and most influential organisations on their operating model projects. See our client stories here.
Creating the law firm of the future
Transforming the back-office operations of this global law firm to drive competitiveness and set them up for future success.
Delivering sustainable growth for one of Europe’s biggest airlines
Working together to transform the operating model in this company’s first-ever, enterprise-wide transformation programme.
Creating a blueprint for the future technology organisation
Creating a blueprint for the future technology organisation.
Our insights
Read insights from our operating model experts here
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Adapting Workforce Strategies to Prepare for AI’s Impact on Jobs
Adapting Workforce Strategies to Prepare for AI’s Impact on Jobs
AI Operating Model: A Design Imperative
AI Operating Model: A Design Imperative
Breaking the anti-patterns of “target operating model design”
Breaking the anti-patterns of “target operating model design”
Thriving not surviving in ‘business as unusual’
Thriving not surviving in ‘business as unusual’
Meet some of our team
James has designed future state operating models and driven transformative change in a range of public and private sector multinationals. A proven problem solver, James specialises in operating model design, portfolio management, customer strategy and experience, and performance improvement. He relishes building high-performing teams to work side by side with clients on their most complex and high-profile programmes.
James has designed future state operating models and driven transformative change in a range of public and private sector multinationals. A proven problem solver, James specialises in operating model design, portfolio management, customer strategy and experience, and performance improvement. He relishes building high-performing teams to work side by side with clients on their most complex and high-profile programmes.
Anna has extensive experience working across the private, public and third sector to support clients in designing and delivering innovative, intelligent operating models for their customers. Anna has led and managed numerous projects in a range of settings, allowing her to develop an understanding of perspectives that range from the end user to frontline staff and senior leadership.
James specialises in large-scale IT-enabled change and enterprise portfolio management. He has delivered complex transformation programmes across multiple industries. Most recently, James worked with a group CIO to redefine the organisation’s operating model, organisation design and governance framework.
Lizzie a plus de 10 ans d’expérience de conseil international en stratégie et transformation opérationnelle. Elle a travaillé dans de nombreux secteurs, notamment les technologies, les télécommunications, les sciences de la vie, et le commerce de détail. Lizzie a mené des programmes complexes de transformation d’entreprises à grande échelle pour des multinationales, tout en travaillant dans plusieurs pays. Lizzie est diplômée de l’Ecole de Management de Strasbourg et a obtenu un MSc de Stockholm School of Economics et un MSc d’University College of Dublin. Elle parle couramment anglais et français.
Anthony is the country manager for Gate One Ireland. He has nearly 20 years’ experience working with leading global organisations, delivering change across M&A, innovation, commercial excellence and digital transformation. He is an experienced consultancy leader and board member and has worked extensively across the public and private sectors in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Anthony is extremely excited about the opportunity to build and grow a new and truly differentiated consultancy in Ireland – serving global and Irish clients alike.
James has designed future state operating models and driven transformative change in a range of public and private sector multinationals. A proven problem solver, James specialises in operating model design, portfolio management, customer strategy and experience, and performance improvement. He relishes building high-performing teams to work side by side with clients on their most complex and high-profile programmes.
Anna has extensive experience working across the private, public and third sector to support clients in designing and delivering innovative, intelligent operating models for their customers. Anna has led and managed numerous projects in a range of settings, allowing her to develop an understanding of perspectives that range from the end user to frontline staff and senior leadership.
Passionate about driving transformative change in large and complex organisations, Chris brings over 13 years of industry and consulting experience to the table. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in the Irish and UK markets, primarily within the Financial Services sector. His focus has revolved around spearheading risk and regulatory programmes, specialising in complex transformation leadership and programme delivery. Currently, Chris holds the position of Principal Consultant and FS sector lead at Gate One Ireland, where he specialises in leading large-scale complex transformation projects for both domestic and international financial services clients. Collaborating closely with our clients, we strive to revolutionise their business, technology, and operational capabilities, driving revenue growth, facilitating digital transformation, and enhancing operational stability and efficiency.
James is the Gate One US lead, responsible for recruitment, strategy, business development and operations. James specialises in large-scale IT-enabled change and enterprise portfolio management. He has delivered complex transformation programs across multiple industries. Most recently, James was program director for digital transformation at the UK’s largest grocer.
Hannah has significant experience in life sciences and leads our US life sciences team. She has worked with global pharmaceutical companies to set their strategy, prepare for product launches, and deliver large-scale transformation to improve their customer experience. She is passionate about helping organizations optimize their strategy and operations to transform the lives of patients.
James has designed future state operating models and driven transformative change in a range of public and private sector multinationals. A proven problem solver, James specialises in operating model design, portfolio management, customer strategy and experience, and performance improvement. He relishes building high-performing teams to work side by side with clients on their most complex and high-profile programmes.
Anna has extensive experience working across the private, public and third sector to support clients in designing and delivering innovative, intelligent operating models for their customers. Anna has led and managed numerous projects in a range of settings, allowing her to develop an understanding of perspectives that range from the end user to frontline staff and senior leadership.
If you would like to speak to us about how we can support you with your transformation journey, please contact Anthony Gaffney.
If you would like to speak to us about how we can support you with your transformation journey, please contact James Cumberland.
