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
Innovation Catalyst (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Independent user research, basic prototyping, small group facilitation, effective synthesis of findings.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led multiple smaller innovation projects or significant workstreams within larger ones.
- Consistently delivers high-quality research and insights.
- Demonstrates strong potential for leadership and mentorship.
- Proactively identifies opportunities for process improvement.
- 2
Senior UX Designer / Product Designer (from outside Innovation)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Deep user empathy, advanced prototyping skills, experience in product discovery, ability to translate user needs into design solutions.
You're ready to move on when
- A portfolio showcasing strong design thinking application, not just UI/UX execution.
- Experience leading discovery phases and user validation.
- Demonstrated ability to work with ambiguity and early-stage concepts.
- A keen interest in business strategy and organisational change.
- 3
Management Consultant (Innovation focus)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Client management, strategic problem-solving, workshop facilitation, structured communication, business acumen.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading innovation-focused engagements for clients.
- Strong track record of guiding clients through complex problem spaces.
- Ability to quickly grasp new industries and contexts.
- A desire for hands-on, in-house impact rather than advisory.