Francois Austin
Partner, Vice Chair of Energy and Natural Resources and Global Co-head of Climate and Sustainability
 // . //  Our People //  Francois Austin

With a French academic scholar for a mother and a pragmatic English businessman for a father, Francois' view of business strategy and change was shaped early on.

It is underpinned by the themes of practicality, curiosity, humanity, commerciality, and a willingness to work hard. Great foundations for a consultant; he is a partner in Oliver Wyman's Energy and Natural Resources Practice. He is also co-head of the Climate and Sustainability global platform. 

Francois is always looking ahead to the future and is ambitious in his personal, family, and professional life.

I would like to build up my portfolio of private equity investments, take on an additional 1-2 non-executive roles, influence the strategic evolution of OW, support my clients, sail, ski, travel, complete the European 4000ers, bag a few big mountains in Nepal and continue to be present for my family... there's so much to do in life!

Francois specializes in strategy, post-merger integration, leadership development, and risk management. He's lived and worked all over the world, too: London, Paris, Rotterdam, and the US and worked for Oil and Gas and Utility clients across North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. 

Francois has also contributed to various management books, including The Discipline of Market Leaders;  Surfing on the Edge of Chaos and co-authored Strategic Thinking in Tactical Times. 

During my career, I have contributed to teams that have made very real differences to client systems while growing the confidence and capability of clients in terms of their ability to lead and manage change. In this business, you must be curious, act with integrity, fall in love with your client, and know when to leave.