Life as a Consultant – My Journey So Far

Mark offers a deeply reflective and engaging narrative of his professional journey, illustrating how a consulting career can evolve organically through curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace opportunity.

 He begins by revisiting his formative years — childhood experiments, early fascinations with rocks and dinosaurs, and the academic choices that led him into geology. These experiences shaped a mindset of exploration that carried through his university studies in South Africa, where he built foundations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geology before progressing into honours and postgraduate work.

Mark’s early career spanned underground mine geology, exploration, resource modelling, geostatistics, and technical reporting. He highlights how each role contributed to a broader understanding of the mining value chain and the importance of data quality, sampling, and transparent reporting. His transition into consulting marked a major turning point, opening doors to leadership roles, international exposure, and opportunities to influence industry standards.

Over 25 years in consulting — including senior and executive roles at SRK Consulting — Mark progressed from principal consultant to director, managing director, and ultimately global chair. He emphasises how these roles required not only technical expertise but also people leadership, business acumen, and the ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics. His later move into university leadership at JKTech and UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute reflects a commitment to knowledge transfer, applied research, and industry development.

Key Points

• Career paths are rarely linear; flexibility and curiosity often matter more than rigid planning.
• Continuous learning, self‑reflection, and embracing discomfort underpin long‑term success.
• Building a personal brand grounded in integrity, service, and professionalism creates lasting opportunities.
• Mentorship — direct and indirect — plays a critical role in shaping capability and confidence.
• Consultants must be willing to make mistakes, take risks, and step outside comfort zones.
• Quality and service are the “secret sauce” of consulting; collaboration and transparency are essential.

Conclusion

Mark’s overarching message is empowering: make your own luck. The most rewarding consulting careers are built through preparation, courage, and embracing new pathways. His journey demonstrates that success comes not from perfect planning, but from showing up, learning continuously, and treating others well. It is a reminder that consulting is as much about personal growth as professional achievement.

Watch Mark's full presentation here.