Personal Stories | Change Starts Together Ethan Cohen From Slalom Consulting

Ethan Cohen, Business Advisory Services at Slalom Consulting shares his 'Change Starts Together' story...

Tell us about your early life, background and aspirations?

I was born and raised in Whitefield, Bury, on the outskirts of Manchester. During my early years, until the age of 12, I lived with both my parents. Our household enjoyed a relatively lower-middle-class income, which allowed us to take annual holidays abroad, often with extended family and friends. After my mothers’ passing and the deterioration of my relationship with my paternal family, at the age of 16, I was ‘taken in’ by my grandfather. He supported me through my college, university, and early working years until his passing in 2023.

By this point, I had a few years strong professional experience behind me and I was working for one of the major ‘Big 4’ accounting firms. Having built strong foundations for my career path going forward, I was able to start focussing on achieving my primary goal - financial independence.

Tell us about your experience of starting and developing your career

Since the age of 16, I have always been interested in technology and emerging technological innovation. I consistently studied both business studies and IT from GCSE level onward, ultimately earning a first-class degree in Business and Information Technology. I was particularly inspired by stories from my uncles about their work experiences, where they interacted with cutting-edge technology and emerging capabilities within consulting and professional services. The prospect of having "no two days the same" appealed to me, as did the opportunity to work with a diverse array of clients across multiple industries. When I did achieve a position in this field, I found (and still continue to find) that this exposure provided me with valuable insights into the corporate world, various organizational cultures, and a range of personalities.

I have been fortunate to have multiple strong career coaches, people leads, and line managers. These mentors have supported me both professionally and personally, enabling me to perform at a high level, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

On rare occasions, I have felt the need to conceal my Jewish identity due to uncomfortable geopolitical conversations at work. In such situations, I find it best to stay quiet to avoid confrontation or unpleasantness. However, since COVID-19 and the subsequent return to the office, there has been a significant shift towards promoting authenticity and self-expression at work. This change has encouraged more people to be vulnerable, which strongly complements mental health and wellbeing initiatives. I am passionate about this cause and actively contribute as a member of the This is Me Steering Committee for the North West region.

What does social mobility mean to you?

I believe that social mobility is crucial for organisations because it centres around ‘inclusion’. It enables individuals to reach their maximum potential regardless of their background or socio-economic circumstances. This, in turn, reduces inequality, fosters talent, and leads to better outcomes including educational achievements and employability prospects. Ultimately, it contributes to a more skilled, adaptable and diverse workforce.