Bill’s four years at Peridot: a journey from Sabbatical Officer to sector-leading Students’ Union consultant

This week is my four-year anniversary with Peridot. If someone asked me five years ago: ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’, I could never have imagined the position I now find myself in and probably thought it would’ve been impossible. It’s only when I reflect on the last five years of my life, I realise just how far I’ve come, how many of my life goals I’ve smashed, and how much I’ve evolved as a person.

Five years ago, I was a second term Sabbatical Officer at Abertay Students’ Association and in deep consideration about what I’d do when my role – which is linked to a term limit – would no longer be possible.

‘I was introduced to Peridot Partners when Grant supported Abertay SA to lead a brilliant recruitment campaign.’

Whilst a Sabbatical Officer, I was introduced to Peridot Partners when Grant supported Abertay SA to lead a brilliant recruitment campaign. He gave the Officer team the tools and skills to make an informed decision about the people we needed to take us forward, and the encouragement to take ownership of key parts of the assessment. Seeing the difference that Grant and other consultants we worked with (shout outs to Antony Blackshaw, Al Powell and Steve Coole) made me realise I wanted to pursue a career in consulting.

However, there was one massive problem hurdle. I was, and to some extent still am, a massive introvert. My fellow Sabbatical Officers and staff team worked hard to build my confidence whilst I also studied for a specialist PG Certificate course which was designed for public and third sector consultants.

When the opportunity to join Peridot came up in 2016, the hard work in building my confidence proved invaluable and allowed me to take the leap of faith by getting in touch with Grant, applying for the role and then the rest is history as they say!