Joining from Scottish Friendly – where he was head of transformation – Mr Pratt is set to start at the firm full-time next month.

The appointment follows a period of significant growth for the Edinburgh-headquartered firm, which doubled in size during the COVID-19 pandemic responding to clients’ needs for rapid digital transformation. It also comes shortly after CBS added experienced industry figures Alan Hyndman and Andrew Murphy OBE to its advisory board.

Mr Pratt brings a proven track record in managing complex change portfolios within the regulated financial services industry. He stated he was looking forward to joining a firm that has “proven itself to be at the top of the tree when it comes to quickly and efficiently managing major change”.

CBS Consulting’s Managing Director, Eddie Curran said: “Technological change in the financial and retail sectors is coming at us faster than ever, and CBS continues to develop a solid reputation for outstanding delivery for its clients.

“Stuart is a highly experienced and recognised leader in change across the sector, and he is going to add huge value to our clients.”

CBS Chairman David Bowerman added: “I am delighted to welcome Stuart, following the appointments earlier this year of Alan and Andrew to our Advisory Board. They all have a wealth of experience and knowledge to support our activity and will be invaluable as we undertake and deliver our strategic growth ambitions.”

CBS was founded 18 years ago by a team of consultants working for the ‘big four’ accountancy practices. They have applied their expertise in strategy execution and change management consultancy in a smaller setting, leading to unparalleled levels of service for clients. It is headquartered in Edinburgh, with offices in London and Dublin.

CBS Consulting has four distinct but interrelated areas of expertise: (1) transformation, in the areas of business and technology; (2) digital, including helping companies adapt to the rapidly changing customer landscape; (3) regulatory, dealing with the constant changes in compliance with a particular focus on payments and fraud; and (4) operational improvement, making clients as lean, efficient and competitive as possible.

It employs over 30 consultants and change specialists, with business roughly split between the retail and financial services sectors. Slightly under half of its activity is in Scotland, with the remainder in London.