1 What do you like most about Berkeley?

Without a doubt, it’s the people. I’ve found myself surrounded by individuals who share my passion for variety and change – people who enjoy trying new things, rolling up their sleeves, and tackling unfamiliar problems with curiosity and energy. Just as importantly, there’s a genuine sense that people care about one another, both professionally and personally.

Joining Berkeley was a big step for me after spending nine years at my previous consultancy, and I’ll admit it felt daunting at first. But from day one I was warmly welcomed and immediately inspired by the people around me. The absence of individual sales targets or rigid promotion structures makes a real difference: it removes competition between peers and creates an environment where people actively want to help each other, share ideas, and collaborate openly.

That generosity of spirit, combined with a culture of curiosity, creates a positive and inclusive working environment. It allows us to bring fresh, creative thinking to our clients’ challenges and to learn constantly from one another. For me, that combination of support, openness, and shared motivation is what truly sets Berkeley apart.

2 What’s the most complex challenge you’ve helped a client to overcome?

Earlier in my consulting career, I spent several years working with Utilities and Energy clients – a highly asset‑intensive sector facing a unique combination of challenges, from aging infrastructure and legacy IT systems to balancing supply and demand in a tightly regulated environment. One particularly complex and rewarding engagement was supporting an electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to address persistent data quality issues that were limiting their ability to operate and plan effectively.

Rather than treating this as a purely technical problem, we took a holistic approach. A key part of the work involved defining a target “data culture” – focusing on how people across the organization should think, feel and act in relation to data. We interviewed and surveyed teams across the business to understand existing mindsets and behaviors, and then worked closely with senior leaders to shape a clear vision for the future and a practical roadmap of behavioral change interventions to get there.

Alongside this, we carried out a detailed root‑cause analysis of data quality issues linked to a specific network asset, identifying a set of repeatable “data fixes”. These were brought together into a robust data governance framework that could be applied consistently across assets, business units and data domains. It was this combination of people‑led change, process improvement and technology enablement that made the challenge both complex and immensely fulfilling to work on.

3 What are your values and how have they informed your career?

At the core of how I work is a belief that there is goodness in everyone. I try to approach situations and relationships with empathy and an open mind, taking the time to understand the motivations behind people’s actions rather than jumping to conclusions. This has shaped me as both a leader and a consultant, helping me to build trust, listen deeply, and create space for collaboration – especially in complex or high pressure environments.

Another value that strongly guides me is the idea that life should be lived to the full. I’m very much a glass half full person and actively look for opportunities to try new things and step outside my comfort zone. Professionally, this means embracing change and uncertainty, and viewing setbacks not as failures but as challenges to learn from and overcome.

Finally, I believe strongly in speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. I’m motivated by doing the right thing and making a positive difference, which means being willing to challenge assumptions, ask “why”, and redirect course if a project isn’t delivering the impact it should. Together, these values shape how I show up every day – curious, optimistic, and committed to meaningful change – which I apply to both my professional life and personal life.