Sam Bastable a Senior Manager at PwC has been delivering complex finance transformation programmes, specifically within the firm’s Profitability and Cost Management (PCM) team since 2014. He has grown the PCM capability organically, addressing gaps in the team through PwC’s Egyptian and South African Technology Centres, as well as the firm’s apprentices.
This dedication to his work has earned him a spot as finalist in the Chartered Management Consultant of the Year category at the MCA Awards 2024, having been nominated by his firm.
After close to a decade at the firm, he felt compelled to reflect on his consulting journey and aspirations for future leadership. Leading larger teams, Sam desired to transition from “doing good work” to fostering a culture that empowers others to excel. This introspection led him to pursue the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) designation in 2021.
The ChMC journey provided Sam with valuable space for reflection. He says:
“It allows you that space to reflect and I think that’s something we often lack in this fast-paced industry.”
Through the ChMC process, Sam realised the importance of delegation and team investment, saying:
“The process made me realise that just as I benefited from the support and investment of senior colleagues, it was now my turn to do the same for others. That’s when I truly transformed from a manager into a leader.”
Becoming a Chartered Consultant equipped Sam to define his development goals. He added:
“The ChMC designation definitely helped me shape my development areas. I identified three or four key takeaways and started strategizing how to implement them and make these changes a reality.”
One of the most significant competencies Sam acquired through ChMC was the understanding of diversity and inclusion’s role in building successful teams. He explains:
“There were two key takeaways for me. The first was about what makes a high-performing team. I had to confront the uncomfortable truth that I often gravitated towards working with similar personalities for comfort. However, I realised that true performance stems from a diversity of thought. In my experience, teams with a variety of perspectives achieve better outcomes.”
Sam also emphasised the importance of ethics and professional standards, saying:
“The second key takeaway was around the ethical side of client delivery. It’s about always doing the best thing for your clients even in challenging situations, facing pushback, or navigating conflicting opinions. There have been instances where the client wanted to pursue a particular path, I felt could cause future problems. The ChMC framework helped me navigate how to push back ethically and professionally, prioritising what’s best for the client while maintaining a positive relationship.”
Sam concluded by emphasising the value of the ChMC journey. He circled back to his earlier point about self-reflection, saying:
“My first tip is to fully invest in the process. You get out what you put in. It’s tempting to approach it cynically or prioritise client work, but if you dedicate yourself and engage honestly, the rewards are significant. That self-reflection needs to be honest and hard-hitting.”
For Sam, being in the running for the ChMC of the Year category at the MCA Awards 2024 is an immense honour.
“Winning this award would be amazing and a great recognition of the value of my approach,” Sam said, further highlighting the importance of the award within PwC by mentioning its significance “across some of the network firms at PwC as well”.
Sam’s dedication to ethical practices and fostering diverse, high-performing teams embodies the values of the ChMC designation. He feels that being a finalist in the ChMC of the Year category at the MCA Awards not only validates his approach but also inspires future generations of consultants at PwC.
Find out more about the Chartered Management Consultant Award.