Navigating Financial Markets Consulting
Edition #5: Freddy Dines
Welcome back to Coffee Connect! We hope everyone had a refreshing term break and that your preparations are well underway as you find a balance between studying and everything else on your plate. This week, we’re continuing our exploration into consulting, specifically financial market consulting. To shed light on this unique career path, we sat down with Freddy Dines, Director at Alpha FMC, a leading global consultancy, specialising in financial services, working with asset managers, wealth managers, and insurers to drive strategic and operational transformation.
From Uncertainty to Opportunity
After graduating with an Economics degree from the University of Southampton, Freddy, like many of us, wasn’t entirely sure what direction to take or where he wanted to work.
His interest in finance led him to a careers fair that helped land his first role at FactSet, working in client engagement, training and supporting users on financial software. Over three years, Freddy realised he enjoyed problem-solving and dynamic client work, ultimately gravitating towards consulting. That pull led him to Alpha FMC, where he transitioned into a more strategic role and recently relocated to Sydney in 2024 to help grow the firm’s APAC presence.
“Consulting offers the variety I wanted – each project brings a new challenge and the opportunity to work with a new organisation and new people”
When asked about his most rewarding experience at Alpha FMC, Freddy reflected on a large-scale enterprise solution project that helped an Asset Management client prepare for long-term growth. Beyond just transforming the business, the experience marked a pivotal moment in Freddy’s leadership development.
“We enhanced the client’s operating model completely. Suddenly, I was managing a team of 15 – including Alpha colleagues, client stakeholders, you name it. It pushed me to adapt quickly and learn how to effectively manage a large team”
Alpha FMC focuses on one thing and does it exceptionally well-financial services. Working with 86% of the world’s top 50 asset managers, the firm supports clients across asset management, wealth management, insurance, and more. What sets Alpha FMC apart is its deep specialisation and its ability to drive large-scale change. According to Freddy, whether it’s integrating newly acquired businesses or overhauling internal systems, Alpha helps firms scale through four key pillars: technology, data, people, and processes.
For Freddy, each project brings new challenges-demanding adaptability, curiosity, and what he calls a “learn-it-all mindset”. Paired with a strong culture, social events, and genuine collaboration, it’s a place where consultants grow quickly, both professionally and personally.
The Alpha Mindset: Growth, Autonomy and Ownership
Since joining, Freddy has watched the firm grow from around 300 employees to over 1,200 through the firm’s organic growth and strategic acquisitions. And yet, the culture remains entrepreneurial. Promotions are based purely on capability, not tenure - those who show genuine interest, take initiative, and consistently deliver impact can rise quickly through the ranks. It’s a system that rewards ownership and drive, rather than time served, setting Alpha FMC apart from more traditional firms where progression can be rigid or bureaucratic. For motivated consultants, that means the opportunity to shape your career path from day one.
Alpha FMC operates in 19 cities globally and strengthened its APAC presence with the 2023 acquisition of Shoreline.
Advice for Aspiring Consultants
So, what does Alpha FMC look for in graduate candidates? According to Freddy, it’s not about having the “perfect CV,” but rather showing initiative, curiosity, and a strong sense of self-awareness.
Do your homework – Learn what Alpha FMC does, the industry it operates in, and what makes it different from competitors.
Use the STAR method – when interviewing, structure your experiences clearly when articulating your motivations and achievements.
Show your personality – Whether it’s a shared hobby or personal passion, Freddy believes authenticity helps candidates stand out and build rapport.
The STAR method is a structured way to answer behavioural questions during behavioural/situational interviews.
Freddy's Footnote
Freddy’s story is a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all route into consulting. Sometimes, finding your fit means sampling a few blends- whether that is a large firm, a client-facing role, or something more specialised. What matters most is the willingness to learn, the courage to take the leap, and the ability to make each opportunity your own. The next round of graduate hiring kicks off for roles starting in early 2026, so stay tuned - and follow Alpha FMC on LinkedIn to stay updated.
Until next time, keep the coffee flowing and the conversations going.
This article was written by Aryan Minocha and Jimmy Wang, and edited by Rahul Pant. All experiences and opinions are their own unless otherwise specified, and do not represent the views of the UNSW Consulting Club or any affiliated organisations and sponsors.
