Colin

What was your background prior to joining OC&C?

I went to a state comprehensive school in north London (which subsequently became a grant maintained more selective state school, but was a basic gritty comprehensive back when I was there). I was one of 2 pupils out of 180 in my year to make it to Oxbridge, and only about 20 went to any university. After university I joined a small charity for 3 years on a salary of £6k p.a. – funded by the European Social Fund – working with long term disabled adults running programmes to help them get back into employment. When our funding ran out, I went off backpacking around the world for a year before returning and joining OC&C (given I was by then completely broke!).

What’s your favourite OC&C experience?

The people, independence and ability to shape your own career in the firm… for me, got the chance to be our first ever inter-office ambassador – agreeing to transfer to Boston for 18months, when we launched our original US office. That 18 months extended and extended, eventually I came back to 8 years later, having been elected into the Partnership, to help build up our TMT practice in Europe.

What do you like to get up to in your free time outside the office?

Lots of hobbies – woodworking is a favourite, but other odd things like sound engineering for theatre shows, astronomy etc…

''Don’t be transactional. Life and careers are journeys and building long term relationships makes life more enjoyable.''