Early-Career Pivot: Consulting to IB

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm relocating from New Zealand to London in October and am actively exploring a move into investment banking. I'd really appreciate any guidance from those who’ve made similar transitions or work in the industry.

My background is somewhat non-traditional: I have 5 years’ experience across strategy consulting, transport engineering, and project controls, with time spent working in both Australia and New Zealand. Currently, I’m a Senior Consultant at a boutique strategy firm, where I focus primarily on infrastructure-related projects. My work spans investment advisory, procurement strategy, commercial frameworks, business case development, and project delivery.

To build on my commercial and leadership skills, I recently completed an MBA from a New Zealand university. Recognizing the technical gap, I also completed a financial modelling course to enhance my exposure to modelling, which isn’t a core part of my current role.

I bring a strong foundation in financial concepts, complex problem-solving, client engagement and am beginning to generate new business for the firm—but acknowledge that I lack traditional IB analyst experience. I’m a confident networker and am currently reaching out to professionals in the UK finance space to learn more and make connections.

I would really value your input on the following:

How should I position my experience to highlight transferable strengths without being overly infrastructure-specific?
Given my background and MBA, should I be aiming for Analyst or Associate roles?
Should I focus on BBs, mid-market firms, independents, or cast the net wide?
Any general advice for someone at this kind of career pivot point?

Thanks in advance for any perspectives you're willing to share—especially from those who've made a similar move.

Answer 1

Hey There!

With experience in both consulting and finance, I can say that you're in a strong position to pivot into IB, even with a non-traditional background. The key is to reframe your consulting and infrastructure work in investment banking terms—highlighting your experience with capital allocation, risk assessment, financial viability, and commercial outcomes. Rather than focusing on infrastructure, position yourself as someone who has advised on large, complex investments with significant financial implications.

For instance, where you may have developed business cases for public transport projects, highlight how you structured investment recommendations, advised on financial feasibility, or managed procurement processes with significant commercial implications. These are deeply relevant to M&A advisory and capital markets work, even if they came from a public or infrastructure lens.

On the question of whether to pursue Analyst or Associate roles, your five years of experience and MBA place you more naturally in the Associate bracket. Analysts are typically pre-MBA or early-career hires but some firms especially the large bulge brackets can be rigid in their pipelines.

Casting a wide net is smart. Focus on how your consulting skills, client management, problem-solving, and business case development translate to banking. Your upskilling efforts (MBA and financial modelling) show intent, so frame them as part of a deliberate move into IB. Finally, use networking to share your story and find advocates who can see your potential beyond a traditional CV.

Answer 2

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big... (read entire answer)

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into... (read entire answer)