Hi all,I've just come across this site and I'm hoping that some of you may be able to give me some career advice.I'm currently working for a medium (350+) sized financial services/ technology consultancy based in London. I've been here just over a year and am currently in an Analyst position, I hope to move to Consultant in April or towards the end of the year.The firm has given me great experience within the Commodity and Capital Markets sectors which I know I wouldn't have been able to get in many other ways.However my issue is that my firm is very heavy with travel, there are very few London projects with most being in Germany, France and further afield. I am being proposed for a role in Paris which should last 9-15 months and I am happy doing that for now. Although in future I would like to be based in London, and also not in fear of getting the sack should i turn down a role based in Europe.Anyway my question is are there any consultancy firms where most, if not, all the project work is be based in London and would not expect me to live away from my home and girlfriend Monday to Friday? It's driving me a bit crazy that at the moment I don't feel like I'll be able to pin down a job where i won't be expected to be away from my nearest and dearest! Thanks in advance to everyone in advance!

[quote]Hi all,I've just come across this site and I'm hoping that some of you may be able to give me some career advice.I'm currently working for a medium (350+) sized financial services/ technology consultancy based in London. I've been here just over a year and am currently in an Analyst position, I hope to move to Consultant in April or towards the end of the year.The firm has given me great experience within the Commodity and Capital Markets sectors which I know I wouldn't have been able to get in many other ways.However my issue is that my firm is very heavy with travel, there are very few London projects with most being in Germany, France and further afield. I am being proposed for a role in Paris which should last 9-15 months and I am happy doing that for now. Although in future I would like to be based in London, and also not in fear of getting the sack should i turn down a role based in Europe.Anyway my question is are there any consultancy firms where most, if not, all the project work is be based in London and would not expect me to live away from my home and girlfriend Monday to Friday? It's driving me a bit crazy that at the moment I don't feel like I'll be able to pin down a job where i won't be expected to be away from my nearest and dearest! Thanks in advance to everyone in advance![/quote]It's as much the type of work you do as the firm I'd suggest. If you're in capital markets at Accenture, for example, you're pretty much going to be in London as all the clients are obviously there - if you go public sector then less so..

London is the financial capital of Europe. There will be lots of consultancies in London providing serices to that sector.

My firm is predominantly Capital Markets and there is still a huge expectation to travel to Europe for long term assignments 6-18 months.The comment re Capital Markets consultant at Accenture usually being in London, is that from experience of working in the division?I've tried emailing Accenture via their website and I've heard nothing as yet.

Just to add to that does anyone on here have any first hand experience of working as a Capital Markets consultant where they've only been required to do UK travel or occasionally European/worldwide travel?Thanks again

[quote]My firm is predominantly Capital Markets and there is still a huge expectation to travel to Europe for long term assignments 6-18 months.The comment re Capital Markets consultant at Accenture usually being in London, is that from experience of working in the division?I've tried emailing Accenture via their website and I've heard nothing as yet.[/quote]Yes it is.Accenture will say that 100% travel is in your contract and you may be required to do this.The thing is no matter what consultancy you go to they are always looking to win work and there's no guarantee that even if all their clients are in London today they might win a new piece of work either with those clients or a new one which isn't in London.

Yes, I work for a Big 4 FS practice and have only had jobs based in London in roughly two years. There are one or two other projects floating around that I know of in other areas of the country, but they're rarer.It sounds like this could be related to the size of firm... I'd imagine Big 4 firms win the majority of big programmes in London leaving smaller firms to pick up the less "plum" ones elsewhere. I have no evidence to back that up though.Could also be that your firm has a particularly strong presence in Paris.... I don't really think you can give a definitive answer here.

Hi Peter,Different firms have different models. As others have suggested, there is a lot of work in Capital Markets in London so there are a number of options that you can look at. It does depend on the work you're doing - some at Accenture (as it was mentioned but not singling it out) will be in London all the time while others can easily be sent around the country so it would be important to understand what you're actually doing day-to-day. Travel for consultants is a common issue, particularly if you're trying to balance your private life with work as you've mentioned. There are firms that can cater to this and even build their proposition to potential employees around there focus of work within the M25.If you'd like a view of options then get in touch - james@merlinspencer.com - and I'll happily talk you through options.All the best,James

Thanks to everyone for their replies on this topic.Really appreciate the insight!

[quote]Just to add to that does anyone on here have any first hand experience of working as a Capital Markets consultant where they've only been required to do UK travel or occasionally European/worldwide travel?Thanks again[/quote]Yes - big 4, Capital Markets, mainly regulatory stuff. 1 overseas trip and that wasn't very far.