John Abbott
Consultant
A BSc in Natural Sciences may not seem like the most logical start for a consulting career, but the breadth of my degree – which included biochemistry, genetics, marketing, environment science and Mandarin Chinese (!) – was one of the things that appealed to me most. After graduating from the University of Bath in 2000, I wanted the opportunity to work across a broad range of clients and industry sectors and consultancy seemed to fit the bill.
I’ve since clocked up 9 years consulting experience working within both PricewaterhouseCoopers and Accenture. During my time I have delivered and managed several complex business and IT transformation programmes, primarily for UK central government clients. My involvement was wide ranging – from advising on operational change strategies and procuring multi-million pound service contracts, to implementing risk management and programme improvements.
After five years at PwC it was time for a change, and I heard about Berkeley through a former colleague who worked here. Berkeley’s healthy mix of strategy and delivery work appealed, as did the opportunity to work at very senior levels in a relationship-based business.
Just before I joined Berkeley I was kindly invited to the Away Weekend, an annual event where I was able to meet everyone in their dodgy disco-dancing finest. Needless to say I fitted right in to the Berkeley family!
Outside of work, my wife and I love seeing our son grow and amaze us on a daily basis. I am a black-belt in Tae-Kwon Do yet a far more aspiring black belt in the ‘way of the guitar’ ... I enjoy snowboarding and surfing and most sports in which I can injure myself. I’m also trying to develop my Chinese – the language rather than familiarity with the local takeaway! Did someone say Sweet and Sour?