Marketing category winner Kimberley Hurd/Accenture

Since switching to consulting a year ago, Kimberly Hurd has made quite an impression. Hurd, 29, had spent five years working in financial services for an investment banker and as a credit analyst in her native America.

When she was awarded a fellowship to write a book on economic development in northern Mexico her experiences in the country convinced her to change direction. “I found I really enjoyed working outside the United States and realised I had so much to learn.”

So in 2006 she secured a place on an MBA course at London Business School and the following year was offered the chance to work on a consulting project based in Uganda by Accenture Development Partnerships, a group within Accenture that provides strategic advice and technical project management support to not-for-profit organisations.

Last autumn she accepted a full-time position at Accenture and is now a manager in the company’s growth and strategy practice.

During her first ten months she managed to sell three projects, despite the global recession.

Her first year has been a bit of a whirlwind. “You are exposed to so many cultures and clients,” Hurd says. “You have to learn to adapt quickly. It’s all about finding the right solutions for each client and each client is different.”

Hurd says she has had to combine the analytical skills that she acquired in financial services with softer, more personal skills to become successful in her new job. “Consultancy focuses so much more on people,” she says.

Developing market entry strategies and building brands are two of the main aspects of her job.

Asked what has given her the greatest sense of achievement so far, she says it is the day-to-day satisfaction she derives from succeeding in such a high-pressure environment. “Every day there is something I am proud of. Helping clients to find solutions really does feels like an achievement.”

The best part of the job, she adds, is the challenge and pace: “Being able to learn so quickly and be exposed to situations so quickly is a great experience. On a single day you have to switch constantly. One minute you have to deal with a complex problem, then you have to meet clients and explain things to them.”

The judges were impressed by Hurd’s sharp intellect, problemsolving skills and her commercial success during the trough of the recession. Christine Dyke, director of the Partners in Development consultancy and a judge in this category, says: “Kimberly’s energy, passion and commitment came over when she talked about her relationships with clients.”

What advice would Hurd give young people? “With any career you should really think through who you are and what you value to find a genuine and right fit,” she says. “In consulting you have to thrive on challenge and change. You need to get up to speed as quickly as possible and realise that client relationships are complex. You also have to generate solutions that clients believe in.”

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