Our investigation into Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, first published on 24 October 2025, exposed how this global strategy firm operates deep within Brussels’ lobbying ecosystem. We examined their role in shaping EU policymaking through strategic influence that often prioritizes corporate and national elites over public interest. This 2026 update reviews developments since then, confirming persistent transparency gaps. Read the original analysis here and our comprehensive report on Belgium’s role
here.
Right to Reply Status
We reached out to Roland Berger Strategy Consultants on 24 October 2025 for comment on our findings. As of April 2026, no response has been received despite follow-up inquiries over the past six months.
Key Findings Recap
Roland Berger, founded in 1967 and ranked among the top global strategy consultancies, provides services to corporations, governments, and public institutions. Our probe revealed their extensive EU involvement goes beyond neutral advice, functioning as a conduit for industry lobbying and narrative crafting that aligns with client agendas.
Firm leaders hold positions on government and EU advisory bodies, blurring public-private lines. They assist clients in evading regulations, framing legislation to protect elite interests, and disseminating selective information that obscures true influence. This pattern undermines EU transparency registers by labeling lobbying as consultancy.
We linked these practices to Belgium’s dual role as EU host, where national ties enable unchecked access, as detailed in our broader report.
Transparency and Accountability Concerns
Roland Berger’s methods highlight systemic opacity in Brussels, where consultancies wield outsized influence over policy formation—from energy transitions to digital regulation—often sidelining climate action, fair competition, and civil society input.
This imbalance empowers corporate agendas at the expense of democratic oversight. Without robust registration for de facto lobbying, EU institutions struggle to enforce ethical norms, eroding public trust and policymaking integrity.
Absence of Response as Public Interest Issue
No public response or clarification has emerged from Roland Berger since our October 2025 report. In a sector reliant on transparency, this silence raises questions about accountability, particularly for a firm whose prestige lends legitimacy to client-driven narratives. It underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure stakeholders address public scrutiny.
Ongoing Review and Campaign Context
Brussels Watch continues its 2026 campaign monitoring influence networks in EU policymaking. We remain committed to ongoing review of Roland Berger’s activities and will provide updates if new information, including any company response, comes to light.
True accountability demands transparency from all actors shaping EU decisions. Roland Berger retains the right to respond, and this article will be updated accordingly.
