PA Consulting Group

The overview

PA Consulting Group (PA) was founded in London in 1943 to increase productivity in the munitions industry. Today it employs around 2000 people in 30+ countries, working with public and private sector companies to improve business performance. Total turnover from consulting operations in 2010 was £328 million and operating profit was £20 million.

PA specialises in management and IT consulting, technology, and innovation, with teams servicing the telecoms, financial services, utilities, defence, consumer goods and logistics sectors. It is an independent company fully owned by its employees, who receive a share of profits.

Awards and rankings

• The firm won the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Management Award for its work with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).
• Ranked 4 in the formal training category of the Vault 25 ‘Best Euro consulting firms to work for’, 2011.
• Ranked 3 in the Vault European Consulting Firms Rankings for ‘Diversity for Minorities’, 2011.
• Was highly commended (in conjuction with the Ministry of Defence) in the ‘Change Management in the Public Sector’ category at the MCA Awards 2011.

Clients

PA Consulting has done significant work on behalf of Citibank, AkzoNobel, and the BBC. Current clients include:

• The Associated Press
• Kingdom of Jordan
• NHS
• Ministry of Defence
• Ofgem
• Norwich Union Healthcare
• KEK (Kosovo Energy Corporation – the largest employer in Kosovo).

Notable projects

• Established the UK’s first competitive market for electricity supply.
• Helped recover the Republic of Georgia's collapsed electricity supply.
• Streamlined the Criminal Justice System to deliver improved performance
• Partnered with Centocor R&D to develop user-friendly auto-injector for diabetes sufferers.

Salary and benefits

• Analysts earn a competitive salary.

Perks

Annual performance-related bonus and employee ownership are key incentives. PA also offers:

• Pension scheme
• Private healthcare
• Transport allowance
• Discounted gym membership

Holiday

• 25 days per year

Culture and values

According to PA’s client testimonials, the company doesn’t pull any punches when working with its clients. If an issue is spotted, PA consultants are encouraged not just to offer recommendations but to challenge their clients about aspects of the problem.

PA has identified the following core values:

• Passion about people.
• Inspiration from client value – building long-term relationships with clients.
• Achieving success through shared endeavours. This calls for good teamwork and valuing the contribution of colleagues.
• Ethical approach.
• Seeking to excel.
• Creating commercial success.

Second Life

Perhaps it’s not surprising that some management consultancies take unusual steps to set themselves apart. In 2006, PA took the unorthodox step of giving itself a presence in Second Life, the popular social interaction 3D world. This is used to enhance client interaction through the use of avatars in online meeting room situations. PA has also been known to run recruiting events through Second Life, as well as inviting applicants to participate in online recruitment days with their own avatars.

PA runs regular real-life social activities too, including a regatta that takes place near Southampton and Solent every six months. All company employees and their families (including international colleagues) are invited.