1 Why did you join Berkeley?

After eight years in a technology and change line management role, I originally got into consulting as a quick way of seeing lots of different organisations, sectors and cultures – I never intended it to be a permanent career choice.  After spending three years permanently on the road, the time came to think about starting a family. I thought that would also mean the end of my consulting career. But I found Berkeley through a conversation with a recruiter, and came into my first interview with more than a little scepticism that such a different consulting model could really work. That was 20 years ago, and I’ve learned that it really does… 
 

2 What’s been your favourite piece of work and why?

My favourite piece of work is generally the one that I’m working on now! All Berkeley people are inherently curious, and I’m no exception. It’s a real privilege to join clients' management teams, and live alongside them during our assignments – seeing their challenges and triumphs first hand. Some of those experiences have included helping Marks and Spencer transition out of their historic Baker Street head-office to Paddington Basin, and launching their first item-level Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) label; helping BP respond to the enormous increase in pressure on their digital presence after the Gulf of Mexico tragedy; helping Xerox deliver a pan-European SAP implementation; and developing the IT strategy for a music royalty collector. 
 

3 What are your values and how have they informed your career?

My father taught me that honesty and hard-work, combined with always putting the interests of the client ahead of your own, will always win out in the long-run. The way Berkeley was set up from day one by the founding partners is completely aligned with those values, which is probably why I’ve felt so at home here for so long.

I also believe that the old saying “nice guys finish last” is utter nonsense. On the contrary, Berkeley’s success has been built on integrity and always doing the right thing. Which is one of the reasons why I despise the TV show “The Apprentice” so much. In an attempt to generate conflict and make an “interesting” show, it sends the appalling message to young people that a career in business is a zero-sum game best served by Machiavellian back-stabbing. In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth.