The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Director, International Business Development (L6)
3-5 years at L6Skills to master
- Leading a major geographic theatre's Biz Dev function, managing a large team and budget, driving significant P&L impact, and presenting to the C-suite regularly.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding strategic growth targets for your region.
- Successfully mentoring and promoting multiple direct reports.
- Demonstrating exceptional strategic foresight and risk management in complex international scenarios.
- Being seen as a trusted advisor by the CEO and Board on your regional expertise.
- 2
Partner/Principal at a Top-Tier Management Consultancy (focused on M&A/Strategy)
5-8 years at Partner/Principal levelSkills to master
- Leading large-scale strategic engagements for global clients, driving M&A strategy, developing market entry plans, and managing complex client relationships at the C-suite level.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong book of business and a reputation for delivering transformative strategic outcomes.
- Extensive experience advising multiple global companies on M&A and international expansion.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing consulting teams.
- A comprehensive understanding of diverse industry sectors and global market dynamics.
- 3
Managing Director at a Global Investment Bank (M&A Advisory)
5-8 years at Managing Director levelSkills to master
- Originating and executing multi-billion-pound M&A transactions, managing complex deal teams, deep financial modelling and valuation expertise, and extensive C-suite client relationships.
You're ready to move on when
- A proven track record of closing significant, complex cross-border M&A deals.
- Exceptional financial acumen and a deep understanding of capital markets.
- A robust network of C-suite and private equity relationships globally.
- Strong leadership skills in managing deal teams under intense pressure.