Nic

I studied Physics at Oxford University. OC&C was my first ever job!

Before joining, I was going to do a Physics PhD, but the PhD trial over the summer of my third year put me off. I had no idea what to do instead! My neighbour at Oxford and I used to cook together, but one night we ran out of food, so he suggested we go and eat some corporate canapés for dinner…which just happened to be OC&C’s! I ate some more canapés over the next few weeks, but OC&C were the nicest people I met as well as the most interesting, so as soon as I got the offer I terminated my other processes.

My journey has been very linear. I have stayed at OC&C with no breaks for MBA / secondment / startup / soul-searching. After five years as Partner, I moved from London to New York to help drive growth in our US office.

My advice to anyone wanting to apply is not to assume that we’re only interested in work experience at a big bank – we know that’s not available to everyone. We’re just as interested in your work in a local bar to fund your studies.

At the interview, relax and enjoy it. You will know you’ve done well – and that you’re a good fit with OC&C – if the interview felt like an interesting conversation.

My favourite project experience is the Spanish sandwich factory where I discovered why all egg and bacon sandwiches appear to get the best slice of the egg. It’s safer to go freshly made!

As a Partner, the biggest impact is normally behind closed doors, one-on-one with the CEO, often after the project has finished. And it is often really simple: like getting them to realise that their focus needs to shift for the next few years of the business. I have learnt that it’s really hard as a CEO to make great decisions for your business. That’s why we’re here.

Outside of projects, I spend time as a chair a UK charity that backs 500 social entrepreneurs each year, an angel investor in ~10 startups, changing nappies/diapers badly and exploring the less-travelled corners of the US.

"My journey has been very linear. I have stayed at OC&C with no breaks for MBA / secondment / startup / soul-searching. After five years as Partner, I moved from London to New York to help drive growth in our US office."