Prof. Dr.

Nikolaus Lang

Honorary Professor

Nikolaus S. Lang is a Honorary Professor at the University of St.Gallen and Global Leader of the BCG Henderson Institute, Boston Consulting Group’s think tank dedicated to exploring and developing new ideas and insights for business strategy, technology, geopolitics, macroeconomics, society and talent, and climate and sustainability, among other key topics.

At the BCG Henderson Institute, Nikolaus leads a global network of researchers and experts who are driving thought leadership for BCG and are shaping the future of business. He oversees the Institute’s research agenda and overall management, while also heading the Geopolitics research team and the Institute’s global leadership team, consisting of senior stakeholders across BCG. His work helps businesses and policymakers navigate complex global challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

Previously, as an Alum Fellow (2016-2019), Nikolaus Lang focused on researching collaboration in the digital age and the crucial role that cross-border joint ventures, alliances, and business ecosystems play.

Nikolaus’s career spans over 25 years in management consulting and global strategy. He joined BCG in 1998 and has advised clients in more than 50 countries on topics such as mobility, geopolitics, trade, and international collaboration strategies. He is also currently serving as the Global Vice Chair of BCG’s Global Advantage practice, focusing on competitive dynamics in an increasingly interconnected world.

As honorary professor at the University of St. Gallen, he bridges academic research with real-world strategy. He is also the coauthor of Beyond Great: Nine Strategies for Thriving in an Era of Social Tension, Economic Nationalism, and Technological Revolution (PublicAffairs, 2020), a book that provides strategic insights for businesses facing geopolitical and technological disruption.

He is a frequent speaker on these topics speaking at events such as The Economist in addition to C-suite events of Fortune 500 clients. His work has been published in leading publications including The World Economic Forum and Harvard Business Review, among others.

Education

  • Born in Paris on May 30, 1971: Childhood and primary school education in France, Japan and Austria
  • 1981-1989: Secondary school education at the Lycée francais in Geneva and Vienna
  • 1989-1992: Studies of Business Administration (Grundstudium) at the Wirtschaftsuniversität (WU) Wien
  • 1992-1994: Studies of Business Administration (Hauptstudium) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG)
    • Master Thesis: Vorbereitung eines österreichischen diversifizierten Konzerns auf die EU-Integration (Prof. Gomez, IFB-HSG)
  • 1994-1997: Doctoral studies at the University of St. Gallen (HSG)
    • Doctoral Thesis: Intercultural Management in China: Synergistic Management Approaches in Sino-European and Sino-Japanese Joint Ventures: A Comparative Study (Prof. Brauchlin, FIM-HSG, and Prof. Leuenberger, Institut für Ostasienwirtschaft)
    • Extensive field research (150+ interviews) in China and Japan, funded by the “Schweizer Nationalfonds”
    • Graduation “summa cum laude” in April 1998

Professional Experience

  • 1989-1994: Various internships during university studies:
    • Mondial Congress, Vienna – Conference Management
    • Bank Austria Handelsholding, Vienna – Strategic Controlling
    • Austrian Trade Delegation, Santiago de Chile – Export Promotion
    • Boston Consulting Group, Düsseldorf – Strategy Consulting
  • 1994-1996: University assistant with Prof. Brauchlin and colleagues at the Research Institute for International Management (FIM-HSG)
  • 1998-today: Boston Consulting Group
  • 1998-2000: Associate & Consultant at BCG Hamburg with focus on German automotive and machinery clients
  • 2000-2002: Project Leader at BCG Kuala Lumpur with focus on Southeast Asian energy clients
  • 2003-2006: Principal at BCG Paris and Munich with focus on European automotive and machinery clients
  • 2006-2013: Partner and Managing Director at BCG Munich with focus on global automotive & mobility clients
  • 2013-today: Senior Partner and Managing Director at BCG Munich with focus on three key areas:
    • Global Practice Leader for BCG’s Global Advantage Practice focusing on geopolitics & trade, cross-border activities and emerging markets
    • Member of BCG’s Global Leadership Team consisting of Executive Committee, Practice Leaders, and System Leaders
    • Founder & Director of BCG’s Centre for Mobility Innovation, working at the crossroads of automotive & mobility clients, infrastructure players and cities
  • 2013-today: Cooperation with the World Economic Forum on the topic of “Future of Mobility”
    • 2013-2018: Project work on “Future of Mobility” leading to the launch of a fleet of autonomous vehicles in the city of Boston
    • 2019-today: Member in WEF’s “Global Urban and Autonomous Mobility Council”

 

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