How I Became a Senior Manager at KPMG: Fabrizio Mancini’s Journey from SOAS to Consulting Leadership

Discover how SOAS alumnus Fabrizio Mancini transitioned from a BA in Japanese and Economics to becoming a Senior Manager at professional services firm KPMG. Learn how SOAS shaped his consulting career and read his advice for aspiring professionals.

Fabrizio Mancini lives in São Paulo, Brazil and his career at KPMG began in 2017, shortly after graduating from SOAS with a combined BA in Japanese and Economics. 

Reflecting on his choice of degree, Fabrizio says: “SOAS’s BA in Japanese and Economics offered the best opportunity to develop a strong academic foundation in both disciplines.”

He became fascinated by Japanese economics after reading about Japan’s Meiji period (1868–1912): “Japan is one of the few examples of successful late industrialisation outside Europe—achieved without colonisation and under intense external pressure. It represents a rare historical case where a country executed a full operating-model transformation under existential time constraints and largely got the sequencing right. What makes it especially instructive today is the way institutions, incentives, and execution discipline were aligned with a clear strategic objective.”

I’m motivated by the opportunity to work with clients at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change, build resilient capabilities, and deliver better outcomes for their customers.

After joining KPMG as a trainee, Fabrizio progressed by “consistently delivering high-quality work, learning from outstanding colleagues, and taking on increasingly complex challenges.” Over time, this commitment led to broader leadership responsibilities. Today, he leads projects focused on the operating model of financial institutions, helping new market entrants obtain licences and build scalable operations, while supporting established institutions through process redesign and technology-enabled transformation.

"Financial services are evolving quickly, shaped by innovation and regulation. I’m motivated by the opportunity to work with clients at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change, build resilient capabilities, and deliver better outcomes for their customers."

From Bloomsbury to Boardrooms: Lessons Learned at SOAS

When asked how SOAS prepared him for consulting, Fabrizio highlights the university’s unique environment: “SOAS brings together deep regional expertise and a strong research culture. The accessibility of professors and the intellectual environment made it easy to go deeper and think critically.”

“SOAS strengthened my research discipline and structured thinking skills I rely on in consulting to diagnose problems quickly, synthesise evidence, and communicate recommendations clearly."

Technical skills matter, but what differentiates candidates is curiosity, structured problem-solving, strong communication, and a sense of ownership.

Beyond academics, Fabrizio treasures the friendships he formed: “I have very fond memories of exploring Bloomsbury together and sharing the excitement of discovering where everyone would be heading for their year abroad.”

His advice for aspiring consultants? “Consulting is a people business. Technical skills matter, but what differentiates candidates is curiosity, structured problem-solving, strong communication, and a sense of ownership. Be proactive in learning, seek feedback early, and focus on delivering reliable, high-quality outputs as part of a team.”