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
From Strategic Intelligence Analyst (L2)
2-3 years at L2Skills to master
- Mastering end-to-end project ownership, developing strong storytelling abilities, and effectively managing stakeholder expectations. You'll need to show you can handle complexity independently.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering high-quality, actionable insights on your own projects.
- Proactively identifying new research opportunities and initiating analyses.
- Receiving positive feedback on your ability to present and defend your work.
- Demonstrating informal mentorship or guidance to newer team members.
- 2
From Management Consulting
3-5 years as an Associate or ConsultantSkills to master
- Adapting consulting frameworks to an in-house context, building deep industry expertise, and navigating internal organisational dynamics. You'll need to get used to the long-term view vs. project-based work.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading workstreams on strategy or market intelligence projects.
- Strong client-facing presentation and communication skills.
- A desire to specialise and build deep expertise in a specific industry.
- Comfort with ambiguity and a structured approach to problem-solving.
- 3
From Product or Business Analyst Roles
5-7 years in a highly analytical role within Product, Finance, or OperationsSkills to master
- Transitioning from internal data analysis to external market and competitive intelligence, developing strategic frameworks, and honing executive communication. You'll need to broaden your scope beyond internal metrics.
You're ready to move on when
- A proven track record of using data to drive business decisions.
- Strong technical skills (SQL, Python, visualisation tools).
- Demonstrated curiosity about external market dynamics and competitive strategy.
- Ability to translate complex technical findings into business language.