Ernst & Young (EY), a global professional services company, is planning to undergo a major restructuring and layoffs across global divisions. 

According to a latest report, the company has informed its partners about the restructuring efforts that includes merging 18 regional divisions into 10 ‘super regions’, starting July 1, 2025 onwards. 

This biggest-ever internal restructuring will also lead to trimming down its mid-level management—shifting more decision-making power to individual countries and the global leadership team. Some of the executives affected might retire, while others could compete for new senior roles. 

The report underlined that the reason behind the mass restructuring is to make the company more streamlined and better connected across the globe.

Julie Boland, who currently leads EY US, will oversee a new super region that includes the US, Latin America, and Israel. Other regions will be restructured in a similar way.

While it's unclear how many jobs will be lost, the Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa (EMEIA) region could be hit hardest.

Still, EY insists that the restructuring is all about helping the company deliver better service, invest smartly, and grow faster. A spokesperson said the goal is to become “the most globally integrated professional services organisation in the world.”

This isn't EY’s first step toward simplification. Last year, it cut its number of industry sector groups from eight to six. Now, it's pushing further—partly driven by lessons learned from its failed attempt to split its consulting and auditing arms in a project called “Everest.”

“We learned a lot from that experience. It gave us a clearer idea of where we need to cut costs and how to move forward.” one EY partner commented on the report. 

Even though EY’s three big geographic zones—Americas, EMEIA, and Asia-Pacific—will still exist, their role will shrink. 

Some people inside the firm are questioning what purpose that middle layer really serves anymore. “Are they adding value, or just standing in the way?” a former partner asked.

Experts say the failed split highlighted one key reality: the real power at EY lies with global leaders and national offices, not regional managers.

EY isn’t alone in making big changes. The whole professional services industry is feeling the pressure. In the UK and Ireland, EY has already cut 30 partners and downsized its legal business, putting more jobs at risk. Across Europe, many partners are quietly leaving as firms look to cut costs.

Other Big Four firms like KPMG and Deloitte are restructuring too—merging partnerships and streamlining their business units to cope with a tougher market and the shift toward offshore consulting.

While EY says these changes will make it more efficient, some worry the firm could lose focus on its people in the process. Employees may feel they have less freedom or clarity during the transition. “You want people to feel empowered,” said Fiona Czerniawska, CEO of Source Global. “But they also need to see the upside of working in bigger, broader teams.”

There’s also concern that all this internal focus might distract from what really matters—serving clients. “The risk is you spend 18 months looking inward instead of winning new business,” said a former partner from another Big Four firm.

Some industry watchers are still unsure if this shake-up will truly make a difference. “It feels like shuffling the deckchairs,” said James O’Dowd, founder of Patrick Morgan. Another EY partner echoed that sentiment: “It’s not enough to just move people around. We need to see real change.”

A latest report suggests that as the consulting firm plans restructuring and mid-level trimming, EY Oceania’s leadership and structure will remain unchanged and are safe from the economic cutbacks.

As part of the ongoing restructuring, EY’s financial services division will forfeit its global autonomy and be absorbed into the firm’s new regionalised operating model. 

EY has consistently reduced staff, including 100 layoffs in February-March 2025, following revelations that rival firm PwC had used confidential government information to benefit its clients - though its Middle East and North Africa operations have remained stable under Abdulaziz Al-Sowailim’s leadership. Here's an overview of EY job cuts so far: 

What are all the EY'Super Regions'?

According to the report, EY will consolidate its 18 regional divisions into the following 10 'super regions.' The leaders of these regions will join EY’s global executive, with the new structure expected to take effect in the upcoming financial year (FY 2025-2026):

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EY in its latest downloadable report listed top EMEIA board priorities for 2025, and CESA Regional Partner Jacek Kędzior commented, "Boards across the EMEIA test of several challenges...Geopolitical tensions, military conflicts, elevated interest rates, and a wave of regulations are making it difficult to manage organisations. In addition, AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping the business landscape. EY teams conducted qualitative research to identify board priorities in 2025.

Inflation, recession and interest rates were cited as key risks by 21% of boards, while talent shortages, skills gaps and employee retention were cited by 19%. Regulatory compliance was a top risk for 15% of boards.

For large companies operating in the EU, compliance with the CSRD is a challenge, as it represents the biggest change in corporate reporting. We have not only analyzed the priorities for the next 12 months."

With July fast approaching, all eyes are on EY to see whether this bold move will pay off—and if it can truly deliver on its promise of a more agile, globally connected future.