Gartner Expert

Brendan Williams

Sr Director Analyst

Brendan Williams is a Senior Director Analyst within Gartner's Technology and Service Provider organization. Mr. Williams's research focuses on consulting and AI services. He advises technology service leaders on market entry and expansion strategy, competitive positioning, messaging and differentiation, and developing value propositions and service offerings for target buyer personas. Mr. Williams also serves as services chief economist, leveraging his economics background in support of Gartner's service market forecasts, leading research on the economic impact of AI on services, and advising service leaders on the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic developments such as tariffs and the trade war. Recent research has advised providers on how to transform the consulting business model to respond to the threats and opportunities from AI, including topics such as: outcome-based pricing; asset-based services; forward-deployed engineers (FDEs); and AI service messaging strategies. Mr. Williams works with organizations of all sizes across all major industries and geographic markets.

Previous experience

Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Williams built and managed a research line focused on providing insights into the emerging market for digital consulting services at a boutique research house. He has over 25 years of experience in creative, analytical, and management roles across the management consulting, IT services, financial services, and market research industries. Based in the U.K., he has extensive experience living and working across the U.S. and Western Europe.

Professional background

ALM Intelligence, Associate Director, 4 years

IBM, Transition Manager, Senior Consultant, 8 years

New Economy Strategies, Project Manager, 2 years

Areas of coverage

  • Profitable Tech Services Leadership​

  • Tech Services Differentiation

  • Tech Services Client Impact​

Education

M.B.A., Said Business School, University of Oxford

M.A., International Relations: International Economics and European Studies, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Graduate Diploma, International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

B.A., International Studies and Italian Studies (Minor: Music), Dickinson College, Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

Developing market strategies and identifying promising growth opportunities.

02

Developing value propositions and messaging for target buyers.

03

Launching new or revised consulting and digital product engineering services offerings.

04

Identifying opportunities to use emerging technologies to innovate and evolve the consulting business model and delivery model.

05

Improving competitive positioning and differentiation.