Get to know our managing partner for 2023 – Johanna Murby

At Ascend, the managing partner is responsible for setting the general direction and goals for the coming year. The position is rotated in the partner group on a yearly basis, which leverages the differences and initiatives of everyone in the partner group when it comes to running and leading our company. Johanna Murby will be our managing partner for 2023 – get know her and her key focus for 2023!

Johanna, you will be our Managing Partner for 2023 here at Ascend. Tell us a little about yourself and you journey at Ascend!

I joined Ascend in 2019 and reconvened with a couple of my colleagues from my time working at the Swedish Management consulting firm Connecta (later acquired by Acando). I had started my career working in London within Fast Moving Consumer Goods and thereafter worked as a Management Consultant and Manager for 13 years before joining Ascend – and I must say that my personal development really has accelerated in the past few years. One of the things that I believe to be extra impressive is our way of delivering in all projects and how we take collaboration, co-creation and customer centricity to the next level. 

At Ascend, we have a yearly rotation of the Managing Partner position – how come?  

We believe in the strength of everyone at Ascend being close to our core business of delivering value for our customers. Having the same Managing Partner year after year easily disconnects that person from this core. A rotation of the Managing Partner role also allows everyone to set their mark on the year to come, and you never become blasé in your position. Our consultants are given an opportunity to experience a range of different leadership styles and get to know our whole management team. Other effects we see is that the management team becomes a tightly knit team, where everyone has respect for the tasks and the responsibilities that the role entails. 

What is the best thing about Ascend?

The people, our culture, our way of connecting with our customers and how we can deliver exceptional value in that interface, while also managing to realize and accelerate the talent that we attract.  

What will be your key focus as Managing Partner during 2023?

My key focus will be on driving Innovation and Collaboration in our new context as part of the Knowit ecosystem. We have the opportunity to take on a unique position if we manage to efficiently combine our capabilities together with Knowit and find ways of collaborating around the key challenges customers face connected to Business, Innovation and Tech. 

What are your goals and targets for Ascend in 2023?

• That we will land several big hairy projects that will enable us to unleash the power of our ecosystem.
• That we will continue to attract exceptional colleagues that want to contribute to building Ascend in our new context.
• That we will further accelerate the personal development and growth of all our colleagues through challenging assignments and a prospering fun, inclusive and exceptional environment.

Lastly, what do you like to do in your free time, outside office hours?

Cook and experience new food and recipes, read books, exercise and spend time with family and friends