Deloitte has further strengthened its strategy consulting practice, Monitor Deloitte, with the addition of Andy Bateman (pictured) as its national lead partner for innovation strategy.

As well as being an ex-Telstra marketer and global CEO of research, innovation and strategy firm The Leading Edge, Bateman is the founder of boutique strategy firm Everyone.

In his new role, Bateman will work closely with Monitor Deloitte lead partner Jeremy Drumm to further build this part of Deloitte’s consulting business.

Drumm said Bateman is perfectly placed to spearhead the continued growth of Deloitte’s innovation strategy practice in Australia.

“Over the past 25 years, he has helped brands, businesses and teams around the world create the change that drives dramatic growth,” Drumm said. “We are thrilled to have him join Deloitte.”

Commenting on his new role, Bateman said: “Joining Deloitte enables me to supercharge the vision I had for Everyone – to be a progressive innovation strategy and execution business.

“Scope, scale and culture really matter in this business, and I see huge potential to build something really meaningful with Deloitte, with people I respect and feel a sense of shared values with.

“I think we are moving into the second act of innovation in Australia – from businesses experimenting with labs, funding start-ups and continuous product and service improvements, to recognising innovation as a core strategic capability that must be embedded in the organisation.

“Ultimately, if innovation is a core lever through which to drive profitable business growth, then innovation strategy is about applying strategic discipline and rigour to the innovation agenda within a client’s business end to end to maximise growth potential.

“Most studies and many leaders around the world will attest to the fact that the majority of organisations and countries are under-weight in innovation. They are simply not doing enough to drive sustainable long-term growth, and that’s what we’ll be helping to solve.”