Consultant
Inner Circle Consulting
I’ve always known I wanted a career grounded in social impact. After completing my MSc Management degree, I began in an operations role at a social enterprise startup in London. That experience, and the connections I built there, ultimately led me to discover Inner Circle Consulting, a public sector management consulting firm, and apply for a role.
From the very beginning, I was struck by the organisation’s culture and energy. It was a progressive and dynamic environment, filled with individuals from diverse backgrounds who were passionate about making an impact. Most importantly, even in a junior role, my input and insights were not only welcomed but actively sought out.
I quickly realised the work of a consultant cuts across an incredible range of areas, yet the same core skills, project management, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and leadership, drive impact in each. As a public sector consultant, I’ve applied these skills to projects ranging from redeveloping public assets, to creating economic strategies, to supporting local authorities with proposals for Local Government Reorganisation.
As the parent of a two-year-old, flexibility has been a priority for me. Fortunately, Inner Circle’s hybrid working policy allows employees to shape an arrangement that suits their lifestyle and caring responsibilities. This flexibility enabled me to relocate from London to Norwich after having my daughter, while continuing to travel into the city several times a month for project work, team collaboration, and company-wide cultural events. Hybrid working has helped me make the most of time in London; while also ensuring I can spend more quality time at home with my family.
A core consulting skill is the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, identifying what matters, and using the right tools to increase efficiency. AI has been particularly valuable in this respect, helping me streamline smaller tasks like emails and meeting notes, as well as accelerating my understanding of new subject areas. This frees up more time for deeper strategic thinking and production, embedding stakeholder and client insights into the work we deliver, and ensuring outcomes truly reflect the needs of local communities.
Working in public sector consulting means public purpose is inherently embedded in what I do. This aligns strongly with my personal values, ensuring that the work I deliver has a tangible impact. That commitment has been my north star through long days, project obstacles, and complex challenges, and it has been reinforced by the countless moments where the work we’ve delivered has made a real difference for local communities.
I know there are barriers to entering the consulting industry, but my experience has shown me there are also many ways to overcome them. Having immigrated from the Caribbean to the UK as a student, I know what it feels like to start from scratch in a new country and industry. Whether you are a graduate, apprentice, career-changer, or career-returner, there are multiple pathways into consulting. Consulting is defined by its people, and the perspectives we bring from our unique experiences and backgrounds are exactly what make it an incredibly innovative sector. So, I encourage you to go for it: apply for that role, reach out to that connection on LinkedIn, make the pivot. I promise it will be worth it!