1What’s different about Berkeley for you?

What Berkeley says they do and what they do are...exactly the same thing! Although that sounds simple, market conditions and other outside factors can sometimes make organisations need to make choices which are against their values and business model. Berkeley doesn’t do this. Driven by a set of core values, Berkeley manages to break the traditional consulting mould and has produced something special. 

2What core value or approach do you use to help clients achieve their aspirations? 

Two things in particular come to mind for me. 

Firstly, to approach each situation with empathy and kindness. They’re characteristics which are often not depicted in the version of business we see on our TV screens, but ones which I think are crucial in helping us all build genuine relationships and meaningful connections. Taking the time to understand where somebody else is coming from has always been time well spent for me. 

Secondly I’m not a rugby or football player, so forgive the analogy, but I’ve learnt to ‘play the field in front of you’. By that I mean to lose any preconceived ideas and approach each situation afresh, really listening and seeking to understand before reacting. Just as every human being is different, I believe each workplace or project is unique in some way. I find there is never only one right answer and that a boilerplate approach often fails. 

3Why did you become a management consultant?

I started my career in the financial services industry and met some fantastic colleagues who either used to be management consultants or who knew how to engage with consultants really well. Back then I didn’t know what management consulting was. In fact I think I might have even (what am I saying, I definitely did) Googled ‘what is a management consultant’! Google failed to provide an answer I understood, but I became blown away by the knowledge and skills of those who had had experience in this sector. As a result I decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. 

I love consulting and feel I have found my calling because I absolutely love problem solving. Consulting at Berkeley lets me problem solve in a way that is truly authentic to me, as our approach allows us to get to the heart of an issue or opportunity and deliver what we think is right.