Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was founded on July 1, 1963, with a mission to pioneer bold and innovative approaches to make a positive impact on the world. Since then, BCG has been dedicated to fulfilling this ambition every day.

In 1964, Bruce Henderson developed the Perspectives series, a new approach to marketing a consulting firm, consisting of brief and highly provocative essays on strategy. These essays were published in a user-friendly brochure format, making them easily accessible to executives.

In the fall of 1965, Henderson announced the need for a specialty to distinguish his consulting unit. He proposed 'business strategy' despite objections, aiming to define and focus on long-term corporate strategy.

In 1966, Henderson introduced the 'experience curve' tool, which stated that unit costs decrease as a company gains production experience. This concept allowed Texas Instruments to lower costs and outbid competitors.

In 1967, despite his lack of basic business knowledge, Bain joined the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after being offered a job by Henderson. He quickly advanced within the company due to his hard work and attention to detail.

In 1968, Henderson's consulting unit at Boston Safe Deposit became a subsidiary named Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The company started growing rapidly and expanding its consultant base.

In 1969, BCG gained attention by surpassing McKinsey as the top recruiter at Harvard Business School through aggressive recruiting tactics, marking a significant milestone in the firm's growth.

By 1970, BCG had expanded to 100 consultants with offices in Boston, Milan, Tokyo, and London, establishing a strong foundation for its global presence and competition with McKinsey.

In 1972, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) expanded its operations to Paris, further solidifying its presence in the European market. This expansion was a strategic move for the company.

In 1973, Bill Bain left his position at BCG to establish Bain & Company, becoming the third major player in the MBB consulting group. The departure led to a significant shift in the management consulting industry.

In 1974, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) achieved independence through an employee stock ownership plan, marking a pivotal moment in the firm's history.

In 1975, BCG bought itself out from the Boston Company and became an independent entity, owned in trust for the benefit of its employees. Founder Bruce Henderson made an unprecedented move by handing over all but approximately 5% of the company to ensure the partnership leave BCG stronger for the next generation.

By the end of 1977, Boston Consulting Group's revenues were evenly split between business originating in the United States and overseas.

In 1979, BCG completed a buyout of all shares, becoming independent from The Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, a crucial step in its corporate history.

In 1980, Henderson gracefully stepped down as Chairman of the Board and Alan Zakon took over as CEO of BCG. The firm also started the first Associate class, hiring college grads for a 2-3 year term.

In 1985, Henderson retired and BCG's 3rd CEO, John Clarkeson, took over the leadership of the firm.

In 1987, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) defined its first practice areas, marking a significant organizational change. This move laid the foundation for the firm's structured approach to consulting services.

In 1990, BCG acquired the Australian consulting firm of Pappas, Carter, Evans & Koop, expanding its presence in Sydney, Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.

BCG completed the acquisition of Holt Planning Associates in 1991, while also opening new offices in Frankfurt and Hong Kong.

In 1992, BCG opened an office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, expanding its global reach.

BCG achieved a significant milestone in 1993 by surpassing 1,000 consultants employed, indicating its growth and influence in the consulting industry.

In 1994, BCG expanded its operations by opening offices in Dallas, Hamburg, Moscow, Bangkok, and Seoul, responding to the increasing demand for its services.

BCG further expanded in 1995 by establishing branches in Atlanta, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Helsinki, Singapore, and Jakarta, enhancing its global presence.

In 1997, Clarkeson replaced Zakon as chairman, and Carl Stern became CEO. BCG also opened offices in Sao Paulo, Warsaw, Budapest, Stuttgart, and Vienna, marking a period of transition and growth.

BCG continued its international growth in 1998 by adding branches in Mexico City and Copenhagen, further expanding its global footprint.

In 2000, BCG collaborated with Goldman Sachs to create successful Internet-based startups, including one that evolved into Expedia.

BCG expanded its presence in 2001 by opening offices in Athens, Beijing, Istanbul, Prague, Cologne, and Rome, reflecting its continuous growth and adaptability to global markets.

In February 2002, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced a reduction of around 12 percent of its consulting and support staff in North and South America due to the economic downturn following the dot-com bubble burst.

In July 2002, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was struggling to produce innovative concepts that would attract new clients amidst a changing consulting landscape. The firm faced difficulties in aligning its strategies with the evolving market demands.

In 2003, BCG partners elected Hans-Paul Burkner as the new president and CEO, replacing the previous leader. Burkner, who had been with BCG since 1981 and became the first European to head the firm, faced the challenge of sustaining the partnership during a period of uncertainty.

In 2004, BCG expanded its scope by increasing its social contributions, showcasing a commitment to societal impact.

The BCG Fellow Program was established in 2008, highlighting the firm's dedication to fostering talent and innovation.

In 2013, the Boston Consulting Group celebrated its 50th anniversary by unveiling the BCG Wall of History in Boston, Massachusetts.

In May 2021, Christoph Schweizer was elected as the CEO of BCG, succeeding Rich Lesser, and taking on the leadership role to drive the firm's strategic direction.

BCG was hired in June 2021 to assess the feasibility of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This bid was considered significant due to FIFA's policy of continental rotation, which would have prevented any Asian Football Confederation nations from hosting until 2034.

In December 2022, Boston Consulting Group consolidated various alternative business units into a single entity known as BCG X, which focuses on providing digital and technology-related consulting services.

Boston Consulting Group updated its firm profile on March 11, 2024. The firm has been a pioneer in business strategy with influential figures like founder Bruce Henderson shaping the world of management consulting.