Hakluyt: From Corporate Intelligence to Trusted Advisors

Established in 1995 by a group of ex-British intelligence officers, Hakluyt & Company (Hakluyt) was a corporate advisory firm that generated insights by leveraging a unique blend of internal expertise and a global network of well-connected individuals. Since 2019, the firm was under the leadership of Varun Chandra, a young and dynamic managing partner who had steered Hakluyt into remarkable growth and heightened ambition. By 2023, Hakluyt had transformed into a £113.1 million business, boasting 196 employees spread across 13 strategic international offices. However, this rapid expansion and evolving identity engendered some tension within the firm, particularly as Chandra’s tenure as managing partner approached its end. This case study chronicles Hakluyt's transformation from a specialized niche intelligence firm to becoming trusted advisors and details its unique business model, evolution under various leaders, and recruitment and compensation strategies. It also examines the challenges accompanying rapid growth, including implementing leverage, professionalizing operations, addressing long-term equity structures, and preserving the firm's distinct culture.