NER Group

Founded in 2005 by Koldo Saratxaga, NER Group emerged from a deep-seated conviction that traditional hierarchical management models stifle human potential and organizational effectiveness. Saratxaga, a former executive who led a dramatic turnaround at a major Basque industrial cooperative, built the group around a philosophy he calls the "New Style of Relationships" (NER). This approach rejects command-and-control structures in favor of self-management, trust, and participative decision-making. Headquartered at 6 Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra in Bilbao, Spain, NER Group has since grown into a network of 14 independent organizations operating across more than 60 countries, generating annual revenues exceeding €400 million and employing over 1,000 people. The group’s founding motivation was not simply to create another consulting firm, but to demonstrate that a values-driven, people-centered organization could achieve both strong financial performance and meaningful social impact.

Current Focus and Philosophy

Today, NER Group continues to refine and apply its distinctive management model, which it calls the "NER style." At its core is a commitment to autonomy, self-management, and participative decision-making—principles that replace traditional hierarchies with open dynamics and shared responsibility. The group emphasizes "coopetencia," a blend of cooperation and competition, and "liderazgo sin jerarquías" (leadership without hierarchies). This approach is not merely theoretical; it is embedded in the daily operations of member organizations, which span industries such as engineering, manufacturing, law, creativity, cyber security, and education. NER Group’s focus on "desarrollo humano" (human development) and "sostenibilidad" (sustainability) drives its work, with environmental projects and social commitment forming key pillars. The group’s "compromiso con la sociedad" (commitment to society) is reflected in its emphasis on ethical practices, trust and transparency, and projects centered on people ("proyectos centrados en las personas"). Based in Bilbao, Spain, NER Group also prioritizes work-life balance and offers compensation packages significantly above regional and national averages, reinforcing its belief that well-being and productivity are mutually reinforcing.

Services and Capabilities

While NER Group is not a traditional PR agency, its services are rooted in organizational communication, cultural transformation, and stakeholder engagement. The group’s offerings are designed to help organizations adopt the NER management philosophy and achieve lasting change. Likely services and specialties include:

• Organizational transformation consulting: Guiding companies through the shift to self-management and participative decision-making.
• Cultural change programs: Workshops and coaching to build trust, transparency, and open dynamics within teams.
• Communication strategy: Developing internal and external communication plans that align with a values-driven, people-centered approach.
• Social impact and sustainability advisory: Helping organizations integrate environmental projects and social commitment into their operations.
• Ethical governance frameworks: Designing structures that promote autonomy, efficiency, and ethical practices.
• B2B relationship building: Facilitating coopetencia and collaboration among organizations within the network and beyond.
• Leadership development: Training leaders to operate without hierarchies, focusing on "liderazgo sin jerarquías" and participative decision-making.

These services are delivered through a network of specialized member organizations, each applying the NER style in its respective field. The group’s approach is highly collaborative, with member organizations often working together on complex projects that require cross-disciplinary expertise.

Who Benefits from NER Group

NER Group is best suited for organizations seeking a fundamental cultural shift rather than incremental improvements. Companies in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, law, creativity, cyber security, and education that are open to self-management and trust-based structures will find the group’s model particularly relevant. The group’s emphasis on "confianza" (trust) and "transparencia" (transparency) makes it a strong fit for organizations aiming to improve work-life balance, employee autonomy, and social impact. Because NER Group operates across more than 60 countries, its services are accessible to both European and global clients, though the Basque Country remains its operational heart. Organizations that value ethical practices, sustainability, and a "nuevo estilo de relaciones" (new style of relationships) will benefit most from engaging with NER Group, whether through a full transformation process or targeted consulting engagements. The group’s track record of successfully transforming organizations—many of which have integrated into the network—demonstrates its ability to deliver lasting change for those ready to embrace a people-centered, non-hierarchical model.