Success stories

PMSI is constantly looking for motivated, ambitious, and talented consultants to add to our team, ranging from recent graduates to experienced senior hires.

George’s Journey Manager

Can you describe your path to consulting?

I studied economics, which gave me a mix of quantitative and qualitative skills. I knew I wanted to use both so consulting seemed like a great fit. Before PMSI, I spent two years at an engineering consultancy, mainly working on net zero transition strategy projects. It was quite technical, and while I enjoyed that, I wanted to move into a more commercial environment, working on shorter, faster-paced projects. I liked the idea of learning new things more regularly, which is very much the nature of what we do at PMSI.

What attracted you to PMSI?

Firstly, it’s a smaller, specialist company, which appealed to me. You know everyone, and they know you, so your impact is visible, and you tend to get more ownership and responsibility quite quickly. The learning curve can be steeper, but that’s part of the appeal. You’re closer to the senior team, which helps you learn faster. At a bigger company, you might be more removed from the decision-making, which can slow down your learning potential. In a smaller organisation, there’s less room to hide – people notice your work, and they’ll find things for you to do. But that’s a good thing. It pushes you to learn and grow.

How has your journey to becoming a manager been?

I joined PMSI as an Associate Consultant. As mentioned, I’d already worked in consulting, but it was a slightly different skill set, so it took about a year to really get to grips with the types of projects we do and build the commercial understanding required. After that, I gradually took on more responsibility – managing Analysts, then Associate Consultants, and eventually leading full projects. It’s definitely a place where you’re given the opportunity to step up early, and if you do well, people remember that and keep trusting you with more.

What has been one of your proudest moments at PMSI?

I don’t have one specific moment, but I’d say the projects that felt really daunting at the start. The ones where you think, “How are we going to solve this in four weeks?” That can be scary. But getting through those projects, solving the problem, and seeing the client happy at the end – that’s really satisfying. It’s a great feeling to look back and realise you made it through something challenging as a team.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Probably the importance of learning from the people around you – both your peers and those more senior. Everyone brings something different. I’ve learned a lot by watching how partners run projects, and I try to take those lessons and apply them to how I lead and manage. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to make that your own.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in consulting?

Just throw yourself in. Get stuck into the work and take advantage of every learning opportunity. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or worry about getting things wrong. That’s how you learn – you’ll gain so much more by giving things a go than by stepping back. PMSI is a very supportive workplace. Everyone is encouraged to take initiative, and often, when someone tries something new, we all end up learning from it.

How do you view your impact on the wider team?

I hope I set a good example and that people feel they can learn from me. Others have been very generous with their time as I’ve developed in my career, so I try to do the same – supporting, mentoring, and being available when people need help. It’s important to me that people feel like they can come to me and that I’ll make time for them.

Eleanor’s Journey A recent hire on the graduate programme

How did you decide on a career in consulting?

I’ve always really enjoyed learning, especially during university where I did a multidisciplinary degree. I didn’t want to narrow myself too much, I liked exploring lots of different things. Consulting allows you to continue doing that, but in a business context. The project-based nature of the work means you’re constantly exposed to new industries and challenges. At a firm like PMSI, where we work across different sectors, you’re continually learning and diving into niche areas. That desire to keep exploring and understanding new things is really what led me to consulting in the first place.

What made PMSI’s graduate programme stand out for you?

When I came in for the initial interview, I was drawn to the atmosphere in the office. Everyone was incredibly friendly and clearly very intelligent, but in a humble and approachable way. I got to meet both graduates and more senior members of the team, and the way they spoke about their work was really engaging. During the interviews, I felt challenged to think critically, but in a safe, supportive environment. It didn’t feel pressurised, it felt challenging but engaging. That sense of support and comradery within the team has definitely continued since joining and it makes for a great work environment.

How is PMSI for people starting their careers?

One of the things that stands out is how young and dynamic the team is. Even though our directors bring a wealth of experience and lead some really exciting projects, there’s a strong cohort of grads and early-career consultants, so you never feel isolated. There’s also a great mentoring setup; everyone is assigned a mentor when they join, and it’s encouraged to regularly check in and catch up which creates a supportive atmosphere. You’re trusted early on, and as you prove yourself, you’re given more responsibility. You’re not just a cog in the machine, you’re genuinely part of the team, helping steer outcomes. That exposure, combined with the support and trust you’re given, help you learn quickly and makes starting your career here incredibly rewarding.

How has your experience been as a woman in consulting so far?

Honestly, I haven’t really noticed any difference, which I think is exactly how it should be. PMSI has a fairly even gender split, and I’ve never felt disadvantaged or that my gender has affected how I’m treated in any way. Having senior women in the company may help with that balance, but overall, it’s been a very equal, inclusive environment.

What advice would you give to someone applying to the graduate programme?

First, try to understand what draws you to consulting – what about it excites you? Then think about why PMSI might be a good fit for you. Consider the kind of work you enjoy and how you like to work. Don’t hesitate to reach out. People at PMSI are very open to having a quick chat to give you insight into what working here is really like. When it comes to the application process, practice definitely helps. But more importantly, be able to articulate your interest and motivation clearly. If you can express why you’re genuinely driven to pursue a career in consulting, and why specifically at PMSI, I feel that will really stand out.

What aspects of PMSI’s culture have contributed to your success?

The people, without a doubt. From my very first week, which can feel a bit daunting especially in the training stage as you are learning a lot of information at once, everyone was incredibly supportive. If you ask a question, someone is always willing to help – whether that’s sharing old materials or offering advice from their own experience. That willingness to lift each other up makes a huge difference. At the same time, there’s a lot of trust. If you show you’re capable, people give you ownership over tasks, even quite challenging ones. That motivates me to push myself, because I respect the people I work with and want to do well for them. There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie where people genuinely get along, and we spend time together outside of work. It makes coming in each day enjoyable. The work is genuinely interesting, but what makes it special is how people approach that work – collaboratively, supportively, and with a real sense of enthusiasm. It’s a place where you can learn quickly, grow confidently, and enjoy the people you’re doing it with.

How has the mentorship programme helped you in your first year?

My mentor has been amazing. Having someone who’s recently gone through the same transition, from university to full-time work, is really reassuring. She understands not just the technical side of the job, but also the personal side of adjusting to a new routine and environment. What’s great is that mentors offer guidance beyond just your projects. You can ask questions you might feel hesitant to raise with more senior colleagues – whether it’s how to approach performance reviews or how to manage your workload. It’s a more informal, personal relationship that gives you both practical support and a vision of what your future at the company might look like.

Shape the future with us

If you feel you could add to the PMSI story, email our dedicated careers address

Join our team