João Soares

João Soares is a senior partner and the EMEA Head of Banking Transformation.

With over 30 years of professional experience in financial services and consulting, João Soares is a trusted global leader in banking, delivering transformative growth and innovative strategies tailored for today’s competitive landscape. As unit head of Bain’s North American banking practice, he crafts strategic solutions that blend organic growth with carefully targeted inorganic opportunities—empowering banks to articulate compelling equity stories and solidify industry leadership.

His international experience—as a partner in London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Madrid, and Lisbon—provides him with an unparalleled blend of global insight and local market expertise. This unique perspective enables João to anticipate challenges and unlock new avenues for growth, ensuring that banking executives remain ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

A recognized thought leader, João has been extensively published on banking sector complexities and is frequently quoted in leading business publications. 

In addition to his client-focused leadership, João has served two terms on Bain’s Compensation and Promotion Committee, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping talent strategies and ensuring that high performance is recognized and rewarded. His commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic workplace is further evidenced by his leadership of Bain Pride, where he champions diversity and drives initiatives that create a more equitable environment for all. João is a recipient of Bain's Maestro award, London’s most prestigious and historic award, and also led Bain global recruiting for his alma mater, INSEAD.

Drawing on previous experience at two global consultancies and a regulatory role, João combines deep operational expertise with strategic foresight. He earned an MBA with honors from INSEAD and a diploma with honors in business administration from the Technical University in Lisbon.