About
The Journey
From blue-chip consultant to entrepreneur to strategic advisor — a career built on grit, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Alex Klein
Born in Germany and raised across Spain and the United Kingdom, Alex brings a distinctly international perspective to everything he does. His multicultural upbringing instilled an ability to navigate different cultures and communication styles — a skill that proved invaluable in building a global consulting practice.
Known for his authenticity and directness, Alex believes in saying what he means. He brings what he describes as a "German DNA" of transparent, non-diplomatic honesty to business — an approach that clients and colleagues have come to deeply respect.
Career
The Professional Journey
A.T. Kearney — The Foundation
Seven years as a Principal at one of the world's premier management consultancies, specialising in supply chain and procurement. Worked with major clients including Rolls-Royce and Hewlett Packard, building deep expertise in procurement transformation.
It was here that Alex developed his "10,000-hour" mastery of selling and delivering complex procurement engagements — a foundation that would prove critical to everything that followed.
The Entrepreneurial Leap
In 2000, at the height of the dot-com crash, Alex and five colleagues made the decision to leave the security of A.T. Kearney and launch Efficio Consulting. No clients. Limited funding. Maximum conviction.
It was a leap that most thought was reckless. But Alex and his co-founders believed deeply in their proposition — that there was room for a premium, specialist procurement consultancy that could compete with the generalist giants.
Building Efficio — The Scale
Over two decades, Alex helped transform Efficio from a high-risk startup into a global enterprise with 450 employees. The firm built a reputation for delivering exceptional results in procurement consulting, serving major brands including O2, BP, Ford of Europe, and Marsh McLennan.
The journey wasn't without existential moments — but grit, focus, and an unwavering commitment to specialist excellence carried the firm through.
Passing the Baton
Today, Alex channels his experience into advising the next generation of consulting leaders. He works with founders of small and mid-sized consultancies, helping them navigate the same challenges he overcame — from defining their value proposition to scaling sustainably.
Philosophy
"No one on their deathbed wishes they spent more time at the office. The journey matters as much as the destination."
Alex believes that sustainable success comes from balancing ambition with authenticity. His advisory approach is grounded in real experience, delivered with honesty, and focused on building businesses that founders can be proud of — not just profitable.