Laurence Nettleton, an L.E.K. consultant from Sydney, recently participated in the firm’s Swap Program, an initiative that allows L.E.K.ers to exchange locations with colleagues in other offices around the world for several months. Laurence shares insights into his journey to L.E.K., his time working in London, and the personal and professional growth he experienced along the way.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got to L.E.K.
I grew up in Sydney and then went to the University of Sydney, where I studied civil engineering and linguistics. So, not exactly a typical consulting background. I realized in my fourth year that engineering and linguistics weren’t what I wanted to do career-wise, and that’s when I found consulting. I thought it was a perfect fit for someone who wasn’t sure what they wanted to do, and it ended up being the job I truly wanted. I joined L.E.K. at the start of 2021, and I’ve been here ever since.

What motivated you to participate in the Swap Program, and why did you choose London as your destination?
The Swap Program was actually one of the reasons I chose L.E.K. in the first place. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to spend half a year working in another office. I’d always wanted to work overseas, so this was the perfect chance. I chose London because it’s a big, exciting hub. Every Aussie seems to want to go there at some point, and I’m no different. It was a great way to experience something new, but still within a bit of a comfort zone.

Outside of work, did you get to explore London like a local? Any memorable adventures?
Living in London was amazing. I was based in Islington in North London and got to know the area really well. I loved walking along the canal and hanging out in Victoria Park on the (rare) sunny days. London’s also such a perfect base to travel around Europe. I had weekends away in Paris, Berlin, Spain, and even Malta. Plus, there were seven of us on the Swap Program from different offices, so we’d all travel together. Instant friendships, lots of adventures—so much fun.

How did the consulting practices and client interactions in the London office differ from those in Sydney? And how were they similar?
Overall, the work itself was pretty similar; I did a mix of due diligence and strategy cases. But there are definitely some cultural differences. Australians are known for being super relaxed, and that’s definitely true. The London office had me adopt a slightly more formal approach, especially in client interactions. While in London, I also had the chance to travel to client sites in Wales and Southampton, which was a new experience for me. Visiting places like a wastewater treatment depot was a unique experience.
In terms of office culture, while London is a lot bigger than Sydney, both offices shared a similar sense of friendliness and support. It was easy to connect with people in both offices, and everyone was very welcoming. We also had a ton of fun events in London, from a big summer party and charity auction to casual social events, which was pretty similar to Sydney’s vibe. Even though the London office was larger, I felt that both offices had the same welcoming atmosphere where people genuinely enjoy spending time together.

In what ways did your Swap experience contribute to your professional development and personal growth?
There were so many growth points, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I was stepping into a new role in a new country, with new people, which was definitely challenging but so valuable. I had to adjust my working style, which helped me grow a lot. Personally, living in a new city where I didn’t know many people was an amazing experience. It pushed me to extend myself and live a different kind of life. If I have any advice for anyone considering the swap, it’s to say yes to everything! You’ll find yourself in unexpected situations, meeting new people, and making memories you won’t forget. Take every opportunity because you’ll look back on it all, and you won’t regret a thing.

What was your biggest culture shock?
The cold, for sure! But also—and I know this is kind of funny—they only seem to drink beer, and a lot of it was warm! That was definitely different.