Consulting firms are prioritizing human skills for junior employees as AI threatens routine tasks. EY's UK head, Sayeh Ghanbari, notes reduced flexibility may be necessary to develop interpersonal skills. Boston Consulting Group is expanding in-office activities like chess and padel to encourage collaboration. KPMG is reinventing in-person training for soft skills, with partner Lisa Fernihough emphasizing faster face-to-face learning. The shift comes as remote work during the pandemic limited opportunities for junior staff to develop empathy and leadership. Some predict consulting may rely more on specialized staff than junior employees, especially as clients demand alternative billing models.

Meanwhile, carried interest payments to UK private equity dealmakers rose over 50% to £5.4bn ahead of tax changes. Sanjeev Gupta's family refinanced a central London mansion with a new £24.4mn mortgage. KKR faced a $250mn penalty, and Jes Staley's Epstein testimony continues to impact the industry. These developments highlight the evolving landscape of dealmaking and corporate finance.