Senior Consultant,
London
Competition Policy Practice
DPhil in Economics,
Oxford University
The NERA environment in ten words or less:
Ideas-driven; professional; stimulating; academic; intellectual; supportive; friendly.
On what makes NERA different and appealing for serious economists:
NERA offers an exceptional work proposition—it allows me to apply an academic level of economic thinking to private sector and policy matters that are Financial Times-front page material. We follow cutting edge developments in industrial organization, game theory, and econometrics. The variety of the work we do is staggering. We are highly academic, even by the standards of economic consulting. This focus cultivates an intellectually intense and highly stimulating atmosphere, yet one that is incredibly friendly … it’s the closest equivalent I have seen to the environments you find at top academic institutions. NERA is a really unique company to work for.
On how I came to work here:
I started as an intern, and shortly after became an Academic Associate, which allowed me to work on selected cases while writing my doctoral thesis. After I completed my degree, I joined the firm as a full-time Consultant in 2006, and was promoted to my current position in 2008. A career at NERA offered me the prospect of personal and professional development both as a serious economist and a top professional services practitioner. There are many places where you can be a serious economist, but few where you can also become an expert in handling cases.
On my first few weeks:
In five overused but appropriate words, “I hit the ground running.” We often advise on high-stakes, fast-moving cases, where a lot happens in a very short period of time, so you have to be prepared to jump right in. I was particularly impressed by how quickly I was included and integrated into the organization—my thinking was immediately welcomed and valued, and I began to learn and grow from day one.
On my most interesting case:
Every case has its own particularities and fascinating economic aspects, so it’s hard to pick just one. But if I had to, I’d single out a large merger in the music publishing sector. It was the object of an in-depth phase II investigation by the European Commission and raised very exciting empirical and theoretical issues. We had the opportunity to advise one of the companies throughout the process, from before the deal was notified to the authorities until its final clearance.
On the skills I’ve developed at NERA:
Working here, I’ve learned to excel in a wide range of professional skills: creating, managing, and developing client relationships; leading teams of highly-qualified individuals; developing the discipline required to steer a project to success within tight deadlines; thinking strategically about business development goals; and generating opportunities in new markets—just to name a few!
On what makes me proud to work here:
Our marketing materials promise clients that we will provide them with objective advice, and will deliver “the unvarnished truth” in our findings, even if it is not the answer that they were initially hoping for. This level of integrity is a point of pride for all of us, and we always deliver the highest level of professional and intellectual excellence. We provide our results—often under tight timelines—while maintaining an extraordinarily friendly atmosphere, and an environment that fosters collaboration and innovative thinking.
On the advice I’d give to a prospective colleague:
Keep your mind open to learning from colleagues, and do not be afraid to step forward and make contributions. This is fundamentally an ideas-based environment – and if your idea is serious, it will be taken seriously.
