Caroline de Basto
“I had a family, but I still wanted high-profile, technically challenging work.”
I left Allen & Overy when my family moved abroad, but I was still interested in working. When we moved back to the UK, I was keen to work but I knew I wouldn't be able to work in the same way I used to; the long hours in the office no longer suited me. So, I turned to consultancy.
I wanted quality, high-profile, technically challenging work. With Peerpoint I can make a positive choice to take on an assignment. I support the banking team at A&O, either in the office or from home, around four or five hours a day when the children are at school. When they're on holiday, I am too. Our clients are international – I can work from the office or from home, and still fully support the client.
The London LMA market is well developed and you need to stay on top of the market. What I'm doing now keeps me up to speed. If I want to develop my career further, I still can. At one point I thought I'd have to give up my career; now I can take it from here.