Senior Consultant – Digital Advisory
Arcadis
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since stepping into consulting, it’s this: the big wins often come from small, quiet moments. People often imagine a consultant’s day as packed with boardroom presentations and slide decks. But the reality is far more grounded and, in many ways, more impactful. A well-crafted email that clears up confusion. A timely reminder that unblocks a client team. A moment of clarity during a workshop that reshapes our approach. These seemingly minor contributions often carry the most weight.
My day typically begins with a review of notes, any Teams messages, and a glance at my calendar. Whether I’m prepping for a client workshop, reviewing deliverables, or shaping a roadmap, mornings are about building momentum. Hybrid working means I can split my time between home and client sites, which helps me stay focused without losing the human connection that makes this work fulfilling. I’m often engaged in problem-solving sessions with clients – helping them simplify complex processes or co-designing a new digital capability. At Arcadis, a lot of our work focuses on public-sector transformation, which adds a sense of purpose to even the most technical tasks.
Lately, I’ve been exploring how consultants can responsibly use AI to support things like requirements management. We’re not diving headfirst into automation, but we are experimenting, carefully. It’s an exciting space that requires equal parts curiosity and caution, and I enjoy being part of that evolution.
Sustainability is another thread that runs through my work. Sometimes it’s visible in the project brief; other times, it’s about the mindset we bring, thinking critically about long-term value, efficiency, and social impact. Even small choices, how we frame a recommendation, how we manage stakeholder engagement can contribute to a more sustainable solution.
If I’ve learnt anything in this role, it’s that attention to detail is everything. It’s easy to overlook the little things in the race to meet deadlines, but they’re often the difference between good and great. Clear communication, proactive engagement, well-structured outputs, these are the things that build trust and deliver results.
To those considering consulting, I’d say: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to stay curious, be adaptable, and take pride in doing the small things well. The rest builds from there. Consulting is not a fixed routine it’s a rhythm. Each day brings something new, but the underlying theme remains we’re here to help others make better decisions, faster. And when you get to do that, day after day, it’s a career that’s as rewarding as it is dynamic.