Chris Hollindale, CHP Consulting

Consultant Chris Hollindale works for CHP Consulting. He studied maths at the University of Oxford.

Why consulting?

I was keen to embark on a career in which my analytical and logical thinking would be put to good use, and as I have a natural interest in finance and IT, my employer seemed like the perfect fit.

Did you do any work experience at university?

I spent two consecutive summers as an intern at a company specialising in pensions administration software. I learned a great deal and enjoyed the work, but I felt that working purely as a software developer was too monotonous for me to pursue on a permanent basis.

What attracted you to your current employer?

The project-based work, with its various technical, functional and consultancy aspects, offers great variety and ensures that consultants develop a versatile and well rounded skills base.

What did you start off doing?

I started in a technical role, developing enhancements to our core software product, but soon found myself involved in functional design work, discussing client requirements and supporting client testing.

And since?

I've been involved in several different implementation projects which have offered a huge range of work and lots of learning opportunities. The project teams I’ve been involved in have been small and client-facing, making it easy to see the direct impact of the work I do. As a result of this, I've had plenty of client exposure and have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of responsibility that I've been given throughout my time here.

Have you done a lot of travelling?

The project-focused nature of the work offers a multitude of travel opportunities; last year I spent three thoroughly enjoyable months working in Sydney for one of our Asia-Pacific clients. It was an opportunity I hadn’t expected so early in my career.

How about your personal development?

I've had regular evaluations, which have allowed me to set targets and make known the skills and areas in which I'm particularly keen to learn and improve. Having been rotated between projects at regular intervals, I've been able to gain a wide variety of skills and have had a real say in how I want my career to progress. In addition, I've attended a plethora of training courses as part of the structured training plan here. I've gained many new skills, including specific technical skills, understanding of design principles and a greater knowledge of the industry we serve. The training I've received has been incredibly helpful and I've always been able to apply what I've learned immediately in my day-to-day work, and this is very satisfying.

Do you have time for a life outside work?

Well defined working hours mean that my work seldom infringes upon my personal life and this is something I feel is key to the ethos of the company. In addition, my employer actively works to promote a sociable atmosphere to work in, recruiting smart, friendly and helpful consultants who are a pleasure to work with. We have a multitude of social events, sports teams and recreational activities to get involved in. There are also regular company meetings to ensure we're kept up-todate with other projects and across the industry as a whole. In short, the lifestyle here is everything I could wish for: challenging, varied, sociable and, ultimately, enjoyable. I've always been able to apply what I've learned immediately in my day-to-day work, and this is very satisfying.