MEET SOME OF
OUR PEOPLE
As Strategy Consultants we get to solve our clients’ most critical business issues, where every day is different and the work is never dull. What I love about EY PJP is that you get to do all this while working with, learning from, and having fun with an amazing bunch of intelligent and driven people.
RAINIER FERNANDO
BUSINESS ANALYST
Linkedin- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Systems) with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Monash University
- Aspiring cook and vegetable & herb gardener
What are some key things you’ve learned in your consulting career?
That excellent communication isn’t about the number of words you know, but your ability to convey a message in the simplest and clearest form; I am constantly amazed by the importance of being able to provide a logical and clear structure to business problems.
What was your dream job when you were little?
My dream job was to be a chef and have my own restaurant (Fernando’s).
What’s the soundtrack to your life at the moment?
I have an eclectic taste in music. Worship music in the morning, Mozart when I want to concentrate, rap music during the day and trance music for an energy boost.
I really enjoy the work – I enjoy helping our clients and the fact that I am constantly learning. But it is the people and the culture of EY PJP that has kept me here. It is a privilege to work with such an intelligent, collaborative, and supportive group of people.
ANTHONY GRAY
PARTNER
Linkedin- Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney
- Proud dad. Frustrated traveler. Baseball tragic.
How do you explain your job to family and friends?
Helping our clients – in my case, usually senior company executives – solve their most important and impactful problems that their organisation faces, which might be identifying how and where to grow, how to react to emerging disruption in their industry, or better meet the changing needs of their customers.
What advice do you have for graduates interviewing for roles in consulting?
We are looking for good problem solvers that can contribute in a team. The best impression you can make is to be interesting and thoughtful and show an ability to get to the bottom of complex issues.
Baseball. Why do you think it’s so great?
Baseball is the ultimate sport for consultants – it’s a very cerebral game, full of tactics and strategy, and more data than you know what to do with (see Moneyball).
Most of my work is in the deals space, advising clients on whether or not to spend large sums on a company. It’s exciting and impactful work. Helping our clients to make decisions by developing a pragmatic investment thesis approach is what gets me out of bed each morning.
MILES TAM
PARTNER
Linkedin- Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) from the University of NSW
- Cyclist. Basketball fan (go Spurs). Foodie.
Examples of some interesting problems you’ve worked on?
Some of my favourite projects have been in the healthcare and consumer spaces, as these are often the most relatable and tangible. The problems we solve are very complex, with many moving parts. Whether we are being asked to assess the so-called “death spiral” facing private health insurance and its impact on the health system, or investigating the viability of a quick service restaurant chain for a PE fund, our work is so varied and always interesting.
What would be your alternative dream career, if you weren’t a consultant?
I’d love to host one of those travel/food shows where you get paid to experience different cultures and food. I would draw the line on eating insects though.
What do you think are key qualities for success as a consultant?
I would say: adaptability, pragmatism and rigour. As consultants, we never know what is on the horizon; we need to be able to work closely with clients to clearly define the problem and the actionable steps to solve it; we are committed to the quality of our analysis and insights to help our clients make better decisions.
I joined EY PJP because of the problems we get to solve with our clients, and that is the reason I continue to stay. There is a concentration of strategic problems that we work on which I believe is not fully reflected anywhere else in the market.
KEVIN LIEU
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Linkedin- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Master of Organisational Psychology from Macquarie University
- Building DIY skills. Investor. Fan of good design (cars, watches, art, architecture).
What is a non-work related problem that you would really like to solve?
How we make self-awareness, empathy and critical thinking foundational skills that are embedded into our education curriculum. I think a lack of these skills are at the core of many societal issues.
What interview tips do you have for candidates interested in a career in consulting?
Immerse yourself in the case and the problem you’re being asked to solve. Let your natural problem-solving instincts shine – try to avoid forcing the application of frameworks that do not actually address the questions you are being asked. As interviewers, we want to see beyond an over-rehearsed response.
Best life advice you’ve been given?
I am drawn to phrases that remind me to cherish my time, such as the first lines of the Auguries of Innocence by William Blake, or Memento Mori. There’s also the immortal words of my mother: “Don’t steal things Kevin”.