In today’s episode of Climb In Consulting I speak with David Stoddard, the Chief Operating Officer at Barnett Waddingham, a leading independent professional services consultancy across risk, pensions, investment and insurance, with a team of over 1,330 people across the UK. David has had an incredibly varied career, having worked across many of the big names in consulting including Accenture, EY and Baringa. The last of which is where we first met, on a project for one of David’s Life & Pensions clients. Over the last 25 years David has moved from consulting into industry and back again and navigated multiple continents at the same time. It’s this varied experience of successfully managing multiple career transitions that makes him the perfect guest for the show, and we go into each of these transitions in today’s episode. We cover a ton in this conversation, and discuss a range of topics, including: - David’s move from Accenture to LBG and how he was able to successfully make the leap and climb the career ladder, ultimately running their 3,000-person Life and Pensions Ops function. - Moving abroad, why David and his family chose Australia, and his top tips for anyone thinking of making a similar move. - And David’s advice on growing a consulting practice, whether you’re doing so in a big established player or a start-up consulting firm It was great to catch up with David and learn more about his story, both from before we worked together at Baringa and since. I learnt so much I didn’t know and there’s some great practical advice in this episode, both professional and personal. If you’re thinking of making the jump out into industry, or maybe you’re considering going from a global firm to a boutique, I know you’re going to really enjoy this conversation with David. Get in touch with David at – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidstoddard/ Check out Barnett Waddingham at – https://www.barnett-waddingham.co.uk/ Specific things discussed in the show Pick yourself up by Nat King Cole - https://bit.ly/3ux0Tnb The first 90 days by Michael Watkins – https://amzn.to/3khljvy Why should anyone be led by you by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones – https://amzn.to/3kdU4lE The art of happiness by the Dalai Lama – https://amzn.to/3qPUZv9 Cultures and Organisations by Geetre Hofstede - https://amzn.to/2MpT6Gu The Leadership pipeline by Ram Charan - https://amzn.to/3kozcs2