AdEx Partners has once again been recognized as a Hidden Champion of Consulting 2026/27, awarded by the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Management und Beratung (WGMB). This marks our fourth consecutive recognition after 2019, 2021, and 2023 and is a strong validation of the impact we create in digital transformation consulting and Program & Project Management.
As the oldest and most respected consulting award in Germany, the Hidden Champions of Consulting seal is widely known for its rigorous methodology and significant influence in the consulting market. Led by Prof. Dr. Dietmar Fink, the study highlights consulting firms that demonstrate outstanding expertise in specific disciplines, often outperforming the industry’s largest strategy houses.
Awarded in “Program & Project Management”
Our clients rated our expertise in the category Program & Project Management higher than that of leading global firms McKinsey, BCG, and Bain & Company.
The ranking is based entirely on client satisfaction and perceived consulting quality, gathered through a structured survey of over 1,200 executives from large and mid-sized organizations.
This award confirms our role as Trusted Advisors who combine in-depth transformation knowledge with strong implementation expertise – a combination that is particularly valuable in complex transformation projects.
What defines a Hidden Champion
To qualify, consulting firms must meet three criteria:
- They remain comparatively unknown in the broader market (unaided awareness below 15%).
- They compete directly in the same market as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.
- They are considered a serious alternative to these top-tier firms.
In 2025, roughly a third of the €50.9 billion German consulting market was generated by just 20 major players, and only 30 firms qualified as Hidden Champions. They are described by the WGMB as implementation-strong, collaborative, and close to the specialist departments, offering excellent value.
Based on the study, hidden champions are described as:
- strong in implementation,
- team-oriented,
- close to the specialist departments,
- offering attractive value for money.
These characteristics reflect the standards we set for ourselves at AdEx Partners: providing relevant advice, implementing pragmatic solutions, and achieving lasting impact.
Why this Award matters to our Clients
This award reflects what our clients value most about working with us:
- Deep expertise in complex transformations
- Reliable delivery and pragmatic execution
- Authentic collaboration on equal footing
- Sustainable results with measurable business impact
As digital transformation continues to accelerate across industries, the ability to connect strategy, technology, and execution has never been more critical.
A heartfelt thank you to all clients who participated in the WGMB survey and confirmed our position as their Trusted Advisor.
Source: WGMB (2025). Hidden Champions des Beratungsmarkts, www.consulting-champions.com