A UK-founded innovation and transformation consultancy of more than 4,000 people, with a graduate Business Transformation scheme based in London.
PA Consulting is a consultancy of over 4,000 strategists, designers, digital experts, scientists, engineers and technologists. It works with organisations in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport. Put simply, it helps clients turn ideas into working products, services and systems.
PA was founded in 1943 as Personnel Administration by Ernest Butten, Tom Kirkham and Dr David Seymour, to raise productivity in wartime munitions factories. Its first job was training volunteer women to assemble tail gun sections for Avro Lancaster bombers (Wikipedia). It moved its global headquarters to London Victoria in 2017. Employee ownership has deep roots: Butten set up a trust in 1958 to keep the company owned by its staff. Wikipedia says the firm is now owned by Jacobs Solutions, with the employee shares acquired in March 2026.
PA's stated purpose is: "We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future." Its tagline is "Bringing Ingenuity to Life", and it says "diversity fuels ingenuity".
Wikipedia lists some well-known projects: the Panama System to protect UK troops from improvised explosive devices in Iraq, the first two Global Threat Assessments for the WePROTECT Global Alliance on online child safety, manufacturing equipment for Notpla's edible water bottles, and a large battery project in California with Vistra Energy. Clients named there include Diageo, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Sellafield. PA lists offices in the UK, Ireland, the US, the Nordics and the Netherlands, and appears in the Platinum tier of the 2026 Consultancy.uk UK ranking.
On the graduate side, the Business Transformation Graduate scheme is an 18-month programme for Analysts, rotating through three of seven capability teams. The Strategy and Growth Graduate Programme is also 18 months, rotating through three of five teams: Asset Management, Economics and Investment Strategy, Systems Insights and Solutions, Growth Strategy, and Risk and Regulation. Graduates work on client problems, research and present findings, visit clients, and take formal training. Salary shown was £32,500 plus a £3,500 transport allowance for an autumn 2025 start (as at 2025). You need a degree in any subject, with no set grade or specialism and no Master's required. PA looks for people who are curious, collaborative, adaptable and analytical. The base is London Victoria with flexible working. Its own page lists private healthcare, 25 days of annual leave, a pension, an annual bonus and share ownership, and it welcomes applications from under-represented groups. These are PA's own claims.
Website: www.paconsulting.com
PURPOSE helps school and university students explore 62 sectors and over 1,000 entry-level careers in the UK, then connects them directly with employers.
Explore PURPOSE