From project intern to full-time consultant: launching a career at Concentric Solutions

Finding talented people is about more than recruiting experienced professionals. Sometimes, it's about recognising potential, providing the right opportunities, and investing in people who are ready to make an impact.

That is exactly what happened when Ridwan Olaide Idowu joined Concentric Solutions.

Turning academic knowledge into business value

As part of a collaborative innovation project with University of Staffordshire, Ridwan joined Concentric Solutions to help develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting solution designed to help small to medium sized organisations meet evolving sustainability and compliance requirements.

Working alongside our consultants and technical specialists, Ridwan applied the software engineering skills he had developed during his MSc while gaining first-hand experience of delivering technology solutions within a commercial environment. The project gave him the opportunity to contribute to a real product that addressed a genuine business challenge, while learning from experienced Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) professionals.

What quickly became clear was that Ridwan wasn't simply completing a university project. He was becoming a valued member of the team.

Making an immediate impact

During the project, Ridwan impressed us with his technical capability, analytical thinking and willingness to learn. He approached every challenge with enthusiasm and consistently looked for ways to improve the solution beyond the original project scope.

At the time, our technical team was operating at full capacity, making Ridwan's contribution particularly valuable. His fresh perspective complemented the expertise within the business and enabled us to accelerate development of our ESG reporting solution.

Recognising both his potential and the value he was already delivering, we extended his engagement following the initial project. It soon became clear that the right long-term decision was to welcome him to Concentric Solutions as a permanent member of our Support & Managed Services team, where he now continues to develop his technical expertise while supporting customers and contributing to product innovation.

A career built on opportunity

Reflecting on his journey, Ridwan said:

"The project gave me an invaluable opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a real business environment. Working alongside experienced professionals helped me understand how technology, innovation and sustainability come together to solve real business problems.

I'm proud to continue my journey at Concentric Solutions as a full-time member of the team. It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to meaningful projects within such a supportive and forward-thinking organisation."

Investing in the next generation

David Watson, Managing Director of Concentric Solutions, said:

"Ridwan exceeded our expectations from day one. He brought enthusiasm, curiosity and strong technical skills, but just as importantly he demonstrated a genuine desire to learn and contribute.

Offering him a permanent role was a natural next step. His journey demonstrates the value of giving talented graduates meaningful opportunities to develop their skills while contributing to real client and product initiatives."

More than a placement

At Concentric Solutions, we believe the best careers are built through continuous learning, collaboration and hands-on experience.

Whether someone joins us as a graduate, consultant or experienced professional, we encourage them to challenge themselves, work alongside industry experts and develop the skills needed to solve complex business problems for our clients.

Ridwan's journey is a great example of what's possible when talent meets opportunity. What began as a short-term innovation project has developed into a successful career with Concentric Solutions, and we're excited to see what comes next.

Looking to start your own journey?

We're always interested in hearing from talented graduates, students and experienced professionals who are passionate about technology, finance and solving complex business challenges.

If you're looking for a place where you can learn from experienced consultants, work on meaningful projects and build a long-term career, we'd love to hear from you.