My Business Life: Ken McAndrew, Camigo Consulting

Ken McAndrew, founder and managing partner of Camigo Consulting, shares his life and business lessons.

Camigo Consulting is a growth and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory firm for professional service companies in Ireland. The business partners with clients and their shareholders to prepare them for scaling and growth, navigate complex transactions, or plan, negotiate and execute a smooth, successful exit.

The business works across a wide spectrum of professional service firms, with a particular focus on accounting and financial services, law and legal services, business and management consultancies, technology and managed service providers.

Camigo Consulting was established in 2022 by Ken McAndrew, a business leader with over two decades of senior international consulting and corporate strategy experience. Based in Dublin, the Camigo Consulting team has real local market knowledge, significant experience working on cross border deals and a wide international network that brings an unparalleled perspective to every opportunity.

Tell us about your background, what journey did you take to arrive at where you are?

I started my career as an engineer but I always had a keen interest in business and what makes organisations tick. In my mid-twenties, I was fortunate enough to join a graduate programme with one of the Big Four consultancies in London. While I was there, I learnt the foundations of working in the advisory space and this has been hugely beneficial to my personal business journey.

When I returned home to Ireland in 2011, I joined another consultancy firm, working predominantly with portfolio companies of private equity clients. This gave me valuable exposure to working directly with business owners in a highly commercial and value-focused environment.

It was during this period that I recognised a gap in the market – the need to support business owners in growing value, particularly in advance of a transaction process. This insight inspired me to set up my own firm to address that need for the market in Ireland, hence my business Camigo was born.

Why are you doing what you are doing? What need are you meeting? What’s your USP?

Too often throughout my career, I’ve seen business owners leave value on the table in a corporate transaction or end up stuck in a painful earn out simply because they didn’t have the right support to prepare for success before selling their business.

I do what I do because I want to change that trend and help the business owners get the value and outcome they deserve for all their hard work. My USP not only lies in the strategies I bring, but also in how I work with clients – building trust, being fully transparent, and partnering with them on the journey so they feel supported every step of the way.

How did you fund and start the business and what are your growth plans?

I was lucky to have some clients who were ready to work with me from day one, so this meant I had no real need for funding to get started. My business has since gone from strength to strength and the focus for the next 12 months will be on expanding my team and working with more clients nationwide while continuing to deliver the hands-on, trusted advisory approach that sets Camigo apart.

What are your key skills and qualities that set you apart?

A few years ago I invested in a number of personal development diplomas in coaching and team leadership. While I don’t describe myself as a coach, the skills I developed during that training are central to how I work today. They help me listen deeply, build trust quickly, and guide business owners through what can often be stressful and time-consuming decisions.

For me, it always comes back to people and relationships. That human connection – earning trust, creating clarity, and supporting clients through their journey – is something no system or AI bot can replace. It’s one of the key qualities that sets me apart.

What (or whom) has helped you most along the way? Who was your greatest mentor/inspiration?

I’ve been very fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues and clients over the past 20 years. Each has shaped my perspective in different ways – from sharpening my technical skills to showing me the importance of trust and resilience. Rather than one single mentor, it’s been the collective influence of those relationships that has helped me most.

What was the greatest piece of business advice you ever received?

“Brick by brick”. One of my former partners used to say this to me, and it has always stuck. In business, it’s easy to overcomplicate things or try to do everything at once. But if you keep it simple and focus on laying one brick after another, before long you’ll look back and realise you’ve built the whole house.

What circumstances/qualities/events can mark the difference between success or failure in life or business?

That’s a big question and I’m not sure anyone is fully qualified to answer it. But from what I’ve seen in business and life, a few things consistently make the difference.

Resilience is key – setbacks are inevitable, but it’s how you respond that matters. Clarity of purpose also helps, because if you know where you’re heading, it’s easier to make good decisions along the way. Finally, surrounding yourself with the right people – colleagues, mentors, and supporters – often marks the line between success and struggle.

What was the most challenging aspect of either starting or growing the business?

The most challenging aspect has been staying resilient and not getting overwhelmed by the inevitable rollercoaster of running a business. There are highs and lows, but I’ve learned the key is to keep perspective and stay focused. Brick by brick! This approach has helped me keep moving forward, even when the journey felt tough.

How did you navigate your business through the pandemic and what lessons did you learn?

My business started post-pandemic, so I didn’t have to navigate it directly. However, observing how companies adapted during that period taught me valuable lessons, especially the importance of resilience, agility, and staying close to clients’ needs.

Those lessons have shaped how I run Camigo, ensuring we remain flexible and proactive in supporting business owners through uncertain times.

How has digital transformation been a factor in your scaling journey and do you believe Irish firms are utilising digital technologies sufficiently?

Digital transformation hasn’t directly impacted my business, but it is clearly a critical factor for many of my clients. I still see businesses investing heavily in technology without aligning it to their broader strategy, which can result in unnecessarily high costs and missed opportunities. #

On the other hand, the newer, younger firms emerging today tend to be more tech-savvy and understand how to apply technology in a targeted way, either to improve efficiencies or to drive revenue growth.

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Honestly, probably nothing. I don’t believe in regrets as cliché as that might sound. Every experience, even the particularly challenges ones, has taught me something valuable and helped shape the way I run the business today.

Who inspires you in business today?  

Riichard Branson is a source of inspiration for me. I recently read his book and really admire his mindset. His willingness to take calculated risks, his focus on people, and his ability to challenge the status quo are all traits I admire. It’s a perspective I try to bring into my own approach to business.

What advice/guidance do you give new hires and how do you nurture talent in your organisation?

My advice to new hires is simple – put your hand up for everything, be like a sponge, and never be afraid to ask questions. I encourage curiosity and initiative, and I make sure to support my team by giving them opportunities to learn, take on responsibility, and grow. Nurturing talent is about creating an environment where people feel empowered to explore and develop their skills.

What business books do you read or would recommend?

There are so many business books out there it can sometimes be overwhelming. When I really want to understand a specific aspect of business, I tend to dive into articles, podcasts or YouTube videos. All the information is out there and readily available. I just go looking for it when I need it – this makes my learning and upskilling very targeted and practical.

What technologies/tools do you use personally to keep you on track?

I’m a bit old school – my notebook and pen are my best friends. I find writing things down helps me stay organised, think clearly, and track progress in a way that digital tools sometimes can’t replicate.

What social media platforms do you prefer and why?

I don’t use social media much beyond LinkedIn. I primarily use it to connect with people and occasionally share updates on the progress of my business. For me, it’s a practical tool rather than a daily habit.

What are your thoughts on where technology overall is heading and how it will apply to business generally and your business particularly?

There’s a lot of talk about AI and emerging technologies, but for me, the jury is still out. At the end of the day, business success still comes down to the alignment of people, process, and technology. If any of these are out of sync, you won’t realise the full value. For my business, the focus remains on supporting owners to get that alignment right, rather than chasing the latest tech trend.

Finally, if you had advice for your 21-year-old self – knowing what you know now – what would it be?

Be yourself, trust your instincts, and enjoy the ride. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes as every experience, good or bad, teaches you something and helps shape the path ahead. Focus on learning, building relationships, and staying curious, and the rest will follow.

• Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here

• For support in challenging times, click here

• Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:

• Spotify

• SoundCloud

• Apple