From academia to consulting leadership: Frederik Van Eeghem

Our long-time colleague Frederik has seen it all. He transitioned from academia to join our consulting team, rising through the ranks to his current leadership role as Principal. How did his PhD experience shape his approach to consulting? And where does he find his biggest intellectual challenges? In this blog, he shares his insights with us.

Frederik’s career began with a PhD following his studies in mathematical engineering. “Initially, I was looking to deepen my expertise through fundamental research in my field,” he explains. “Beyond the core work of my research, working with undergrad students made me a more effective speaker and presenter. It taught me how to break down complex ideas into clear, concise explanations – something that I still benefit from today.”

At the same time, Frederik always sensed that he wasn’t destined to stay in academia forever. “While uncovering new ground in fundamental research is exciting, the direct impact of work in such a niche field is inherently limited. I tend to find more motivation in hands-on projects that yield immediate results.” After a one-year stint at one of the big-four consulting firms, he joined Addestino. “The decision to move into consulting was initially a strategic one,” he points out. “I wanted a broad range of experience across different industries.”

“Finding the right match with an employer that can offer this variety isn’t easy,” Frederik says. “PhD graduates typically bring in-depth knowledge on a particular subject matter to the table, so consulting organisations are quick to assign them to projects that closely match their expertise. Throughout my hiring process at Addestino, however, everyone on the team I spoke with reassured me that I’d be able to tap into a broader range of sectors and projects. Founding partners Stefan and Dominique took the time to assess both my personal and intellectual fit with the team and company culture. I saw in the management team the kind of leadership I value.”

Frederik started out at Addestino with a series of public sector projects, including an auditing assignment for the Flemish Government. “One of the best aspects of working here is the intellectual challenge of managing different projects simultaneously,” Frederik says. “Our short-term cases require a fast pace and nearly always involve complex, unique issues that are intellectually challenging by design. Clients bring us in to solve very specific business problems that don’t have pre-templated solutions.”

Frederik has witnessed Addestino’s growth and evolution firsthand. “When I joined, we were a team of around twenty consultants. Now the team is much larger, bringing in even more expertise and diverse backgrounds. Over the years, our training and organisational structure have become more defined, but Addestino’s core DNA remains unchanged. Our training tracks are more formalised, and I had the opportunity to mentor new PhD hires as part of our coaching and mentoring program.”

When it comes to his own career development, Frederik has always had a clear vision. “Working on multiple projects at once naturally accelerates your growth as a consultant,” he explains. “I also wanted to eventually step into a more senior role, whether by starting my own business or joining Addestino’s leadership. I knew our management team would support me either way – and eventually, I took on the position of Principal.”

Frederik’s new role brought fresh responsibilities. “Besides the consulting work, there’s an additional sales and management component. As Principals, we are expected to identify new opportunities for clients and anticipate potential project needs or emerging business challenges. This work helps us to see each assignment from a broader perspective and think even more strategically about the long-term goals of the organisations we work with. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my dynamic role is the blended learning experience it provides. I keep finding new insights about both individual companies and entire industries, while the complex individual projects sharpen my problem-solving skills.”

When asked about the advantages of joining Addestino with a PhD background, Frederik doesn’t have to think long. “With so many PhDs on our team – like my colleagues Sander and Nektar, each with their own unique story – we have a wealth of experience in supporting individual career goals. Our career tracks are crafted to give new hires flexibility. Some choose to specialise in an area that aligns with their academic research, building expertise to become thought leaders in a niche – a route chosen by our colleague and computer science expert Dries, for instance. Alternatively, others opt for the consulting track, aiming to become versatile business leaders across industries. Addestino encourages both routes and gives former academics the freedom to explore. Plus, our team’s experience with academic profiles helps with onboarding. Our team understands what tools PhDs have and need to succeed and how to adapt their existing teaching, presentation and research skills for the consulting world.”