This month, hordes of colleagues made their way by plane, train, and automobile to Cambridge, England for our Firm’s largest annual learning program—Cambridge (formerly “EM College”). These 1,400-plus Team Leaders come from more than 100 offices to explore what it means to elevate their capabilities, engage in meaningful relationship building, and leave empowered to shape their future paths at our Firm and beyond.
As alumni know – and as many personally experienced – it's a week full of great people, unforgettable programming, and punting.
We consulted past attendees, event organizers, and our Firm’s archives to talk about the tradition that is Cambridge.
On precipitation (or not)
As previous participants know, it’s best to be prepared for any and all types of weather.
When Cambridge first kicked off in 2006, organizers expected rain and ordered umbrellas to give to all participants. But, when it came time for the event, there was an unprecedented heat wave—the hottest in the city’s history at the time. Quick-thinking event organizers rebranded the meteorology-inspired mishap as “sunshade parasols” – an instant hit. Organizers this year are ready with umbrellas in case, and assure us there will be no new heat records made…
On place
Cambridge is a small, but mighty, city of history. David Honigmann, a London-based Senior Knowledge Expert who has worked behind the scenes of Cambridge for more than a decade, says, “Walk everywhere because you will see history around every corner: the pub where Crick and Watson announced the discovery of DNA, the place where Newton solidified his discovery of gravity in writing, the very rooms where Salman Rushdie and Zadie Smith began their writing careers…”
The university itself also teems with tradition. On the iconic King’s College lawn, the school generously opens its sacred grass to our colleagues to not only walk across, but also to share an opening toast.
David says, “On one side of the lawn sits a 15th-century medieval chapel; on the other side is an idyllic river where free-roaming cows graze. It’s a place where academics have, for generations, built intellectual capital as minds from different disciplines share insights and inspire innovation.” He continues, “It’s a place that represents what we do best as a Firm—bring together experts from all backgrounds to explore ideas and work on the world’s toughest challenges.”
On passing the torch
For as long as our Firm has sent team leaders to Cambridge, organizers have also sent Partners to share insights during learning sessions—and to serve their colleagues “canapés on platters and champagne in glasses.” Tampa-based Senior Learning Manager Jennifer Bhatia says, “This act of Partners welcoming their colleagues to the leadership of our Firm is a meaningful milestone that sets the stage for reflections to come about each individual’s path ahead.”
On punting
Between learning sessions, there are plenty of ways for Team Leaders to kick back and connect about town; few of these activities are more beloved (or more iconic) than punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat designed for the type of river in Cambridge; to ride, you propel the boat forward with a long stick that pushes against the bottom of the river. “This year’s participants can try their hand at it easily – event organizers have ensured that all they need to do is show up to the canals with their badge in hand and say “I’m with Cambridge,” and they’ll be aboard in no time.
On people
Jennifer says, “There is no comparable opportunity to network with and learn from such a global collection of colleagues. These connections will shape the paths these Team Leaders take moving forward.”
Fittingly, every detail of Cambridge has been considered through the lens of connectivity, even down to room assignments. David says, “Cambridge University is small, and the colleges that make up its campus were designed to house students in ways that would facilitate meaningful conversations. Our participants stay in these colleges by sector to encourage such connections among our colleagues.”
Chania Frost, a Nairobi-based EM and 2022 attendee, adds, “Part of the joy comes from being with that many colleagues and peers—many of whom you’ve already met along your Firm journey. There are just so many activities offered through the week and at each you’ll run into people you recognize.”
On pathways
In addition to connecting with those in similar industries, Cambridge offers team leaders an opportunity to expand their networks. Nearly half of attendees this year will be from non-integrative paths. Accordingly, Chania reflects, “What most stuck with me was learning about the different roles and solutions our Firm offers; this knowledge has helped me as an EM to understand how best to leverage these resources for our clients and teams.”
On passion
At our Firm’s first Cambridge, then-Global Managing Partner Ian Davis spoke to a few benches’ worth of EMs; this year he will return to speak alongside our now-Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels to bleachers of colleagues—a testament to our Firm’s growth over the last two decades.
In his inaugural Cambridge speech, Ian emphasized that the program offers an opportunity for colleagues to build the functional capabilities clients seek, but also to nourish our passion for our work. He told attendees, “Functional expertise is a passport to serving a number of industries. You pick which function you want to pursue. You have freedom of choice—and you should use this week as a chance to explore your passion.”
At the heart of Cambridge continues to be passion. Jennifer says, “We hope this serves as an opportunity to reimagine the power of taking the pen to author a journey based on career aspirations.”
She continues, “We’re investing in these Team Leaders not only so that they can better invest in our colleagues and clients, but so they can invest in themselves. This is dedicated time to decide what comes next for them; it can truly be a career turning point.”