Eight top UK consulting firms for graduates & apprentices
Analysis of top reviews left by graduates and apprentices on a jobs review site reveals a list of the top workplaces for juniors looking to get their foot in the door of the consulting industry.
The Job Crowd is a site similar to that of Glassdoor – graduates and young professionals can leave (anonymous) reviews on their employer on the platform, rating work-life balance, salary, quality of graduate programmes, leadership, how challenging the work environment is, and much more. Analysis by Consultancy.uk of Job Crowd scores reveals a list of consulting firms that stand out from the crowd.
Teneo Consulting
Formerly known as Credo, Teneo Consulting provides a combination of services in strategy, communications advisory, risk advisory, capital advisory and management consulting, focussed on meeting the needs of CEOs and executive teams. The consultancy is praised by employees for a “welcoming working environment” and “good development” potential, with one Associate Consultant noting, “if you are proactive you can get a lot out of the company.”
Marakon
Acquired by CRA International in 2009, Marakon partners with CEOs, their executive teams and business leaders to drive value transformation. An Associate Principal evaluating the firm praised its great colleagues, high exposure and the capacity for the firm to be a “great learning platform” for those looking to start out in consulting.
Peninsula
Having bought the Croner Group in 2016, Peninsula offers a range of services as an human resources, employment law and health & safety consulting firm. The firm was lauded for offering career progression and industry leading training and support. A number of contributors also mentioned the friendly work environment and a great work-life balance.
Willis Towers Watson
Willis Towers Watson is an Irish-domiciled global multinational risk management, insurance brokerage and advisory company. According to one Analyst reviewing the firm, the level of responsibility offered to graduates is very high, with a very diverse range of work. At the same time, “the CFA / Actuarial study packages are very competitive.”
Capgemini
French multinational Capgemini provides consulting, technology, professional, and outsourcing services. Capgemini’s UK clients range from McDonald's to BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines. Its UK employees most highly value the colleagues, environmental awareness and company culture of the firm.
Newton Europe
With its UK base in Oxfordshire, Newton is an implementation-focused consultancy, which works to better equip and motivate clients to solve future transformation challenges. The firm’s employees again place most value with their colleagues, while also highly rating the company’s willingness to give newcomers responsibilities.
Smith & Williamson
Smith & Williamson is a UK-based financial and professional services firm. With £20.1 billion in funds under management, the firm is also one of the larger independently owned investment managers in the industry. Reviewing the company, one Tax Trainee stated that new staff “can learn a lot on the job and have support from other team members,” while a Trainee Chartered Accountant celebrated the “challenging / interesting work” on offer.
Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton is the sixth-largest professional services firm in the UK, providing advisory and auditing services to clients across the industrial spectrum. According to one Associate, opportunities at the firm for new talent come fast, citing their own “opportunity to work directly with Partners,” while another Associate stated there is “Lots of variation and opportunities to work on lots of clients… from very big household names to tiny start-ups.”
