Episode 73 - Tara Lakumoke - FT Strategies

In today’s episode, I speak with Tara Lajumoke, Managing Director of FT Strategies. I first heard Tara speak on another podcast, the 40 Minute Mentor, run by my good friend and Create Engage client James Mitra at JBM. Having taken so much from that interview I knew we had to get her on the show and I was so pleased when she said yes. Tara’s career is made up of an enviable list of prestigious global brands, having studied at both the LSE and Harvard and worked at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey and now heading up the Financial Times consulting business, FT Strategies. While on paper it may look like Tara has had an easy and effortless journey to the top, what makes her even more special is that her journey has been anything but. As a Nigerian woman who moved to the UK when she was 8 and spent her early years growing up on a council estate, Tara’s seen her fair share of challenges. Both before entering the world of work and since, something she goes in to detail on in today’s conversation. It’s her drive to succeed, despite many of the perceived challenges that may have held her back that makes her story so special and something that she now pays forwards in both her mentoring of underprivileged young people and her candid and compassionate perspective on the challenges that those from minority groups face in climbing to the top in our industry. Something that she was recognised for earlier this year when she was named on the 2021 Black Powerlist. With such an incredible story there was so much ground for us to cover and we go in to detail on some really important topics in this conversation including: The importance of education and mentorship and why we need to be focusing on creating positive role models for those from minority backgrounds to follow. Climbing in McKinsey as a woman, a mother and a person from a minority background – Her experience of doing so and the advice she would give to others looking to emulate and learn from her success. And her decision to join FT strategies, why she decided to make the leap and what her and the team are doing to build a consulting business that delivers great client work while creating an environment that enables everyone to excel, regardless of their background. I don’t throw around words like inspiring that often, but in this case I think it’s very well deserved. Tara is a truly inspiring role model both to women and those from minority groups looking to climb in consulting as she is to those from the majority who want to know what they can do to help improve diversity and breed an inclusive culture across the consulting industry. With 2020 coming to an end and many of us considering what the next year holds, I know this episode will give you some food for thought and help you start 2021 in the best possible way. You can get in touch with Tara at – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-lajumoke-40aa29/ Visit FT Strategies at – https://www.ftstrategies.com/ Specific things we discussed in the show: Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela - https://amzn.to/37HQrPf Subscribed: Why the Subscription Model Will Be Your Company’s Future by Tien Tzuo -https://amzn.to/33SrhML