Frontier Economics Firm Profile: Careers, Salary, Culture, Interviews

Key Insights:

• Frontier Economics is an employee-owned consulting firm specializing in competition, regulation, energy, and climate change.
• The Frontier Economics salary ranges from £70,000 for Consultants to £240,000 for Directors.
• Frontier Economics careers offer clear progression and internships that provide real project experience and training.
• The Frontier Economics culture emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and strong work-life balance.
• Exit opportunities after Frontier Economics include roles in government, industry, consulting, and international organizations.

Frontier Economics is a leading economic consulting firm known for its expertise in competition, regulation, and climate change advisory. The Frontier Economics Firm Profile highlights how the company supports both public and private sector clients through rigorous analysis and industry insight. For aspiring consultants, it offers a unique blend of career opportunities, culture, and impact.

In this article, we will explore the Frontier Economics Firm Profile in detail, covering its history, services, careers, salaries, culture, and more.

What Is the Frontier Economics Firm Profile?

The Frontier Economics Firm Profile describes an economic consulting firm that provides advisory services in areas such as competition, public policy, regulation, and energy. The firm operates globally, with a strong presence in Europe, Australia, and Singapore, and is widely recognized for its employee-owned structure and focus on sustainability and economic analysis.

Frontier Economics is not a generalist consulting firm but one that specializes in applying economics to solve real-world problems. Clients range from governments to Fortune 500 companies, giving consultants exposure to highly impactful projects.

Key features of the Frontier Economics Firm Profile include:

• A focus on economics-based advisory services across industries
• Expertise in energy, climate change, and sustainability consulting
• An employee-owned structure that supports autonomy and long-term stability
• Offices in major European capitals as well as Australia and Singapore

This combination of specialization, ownership model, and global presence positions the firm as a respected player in the economic consulting market.

Who Owns Frontier Economics and Is It Employee-Owned?

Frontier Economics is employee-owned, meaning the firm’s consultants collectively hold ownership rather than external shareholders. This structure fosters collaboration, long-term commitment, and a culture where employees directly benefit from the firm’s growth and success. It also ensures independence when advising clients on sensitive economic and policy matters.

Employee ownership impacts the Frontier Economics culture in several ways:

• Greater transparency in decision-making
• Stronger alignment between individual and firm performance
• Long-term career stability compared to firms with outside investors
• A more participatory workplace where staff influence the firm’s direction

This ownership model has been in place since the firm’s founding in 1999 and continues to be a defining feature of its identity. For candidates considering a career at Frontier Economics, the employee-owned structure is a distinctive draw that shapes both professional growth and work-life balance.

What Does Frontier Economics Do?

Frontier Economics provides economic consulting services in areas such as competition, regulation, energy, climate change, and public policy. The firm uses advanced economic tools and data-driven analysis to help governments, regulators, and businesses make informed decisions that address both immediate challenges and long-term strategy.

Frontier Economics practice areas include:

• Competition and regulation: Advising on mergers, antitrust issues, and regulatory frameworks
• Energy and climate change consulting: Supporting transitions to low-carbon economies and renewable energy policies
• Public policy: Evaluating the effectiveness of government programs and interventions
• Finance and dispute support: Applying economic models to resolve disputes or assess financial risk
• International trade and transfer pricing: Helping organizations navigate cross-border policy and tax challenges

The industries served by Frontier Economics are equally diverse:

• Energy and utilities
• Digital and telecommunications
• Healthcare and social care
• Retail and consumer goods
• Transportation and water services
• Financial services

By focusing on economics, Frontier delivers highly specialized insights rather than broad strategy recommendations. This makes the firm especially valuable to organizations tackling complex regulatory and environmental challenges.

Who Leads Frontier Economics?

Frontier Economics is led by a senior leadership team that includes Lord Gus O’Donnell as Chairman in Europe and Stephen Gray as Chief Executive in Australia. This leadership reflects the firm’s global presence and ensures that its employee-owned structure remains focused on independence, transparency, and rigorous economic analysis.

Leadership at Frontier Economics emphasizes:

• Independence in client advisory through its employee-owned model
• A balance of academic, public policy, and consulting expertise
• Strategic oversight across Europe, Australia, and Singapore offices
• Commitment to sustainability and data-driven decision-making

Both Gus O’Donnell, former UK Cabinet Secretary, and Stephen Gray, a recognized expert in finance and regulation, bring credibility and experience to the firm. Their leadership highlights the balance between policy expertise and practical consulting insight that defines Frontier Economics.

How Many Employees and Offices Does Frontier Economics Have?

Frontier Economics has between 400 and 500 employees working across 11 international offices. The firm maintains a strong presence in Europe, Australia, and Singapore, enabling it to deliver economic consulting services to clients in both developed and emerging markets.

Frontier Economics office locations include:

• London, Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Cologne, and Brussels
• Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
• Singapore

This international footprint allows the firm to advise on region-specific regulatory issues, trade, and energy transitions while maintaining global consistency in its economic analysis. For aspiring consultants, the variety of locations provides opportunities for cross-border projects and international career growth.

What Is the History of Frontier Economics?

The history of Frontier Economics begins in 1999, when the firm was founded as an employee-owned consultancy with just 25 consultants. Since then, it has expanded steadily, opening offices across Europe, Australia, and Singapore, and becoming one of the leading economic consulting firms worldwide.

Key milestones in the Frontier Economics history include:

• 1999: Founded in London as an employee-owned consultancy
• 2003: Opened first international office in Cologne, Germany
• 2013: Lord Gus O’Donnell appointed Chairman in Europe
• 2010s to 2020s: Expanded to Australia, Singapore, Spain, France, and Ireland
• 2022: Ranked top 5 economic consulting firm in EMEA for environmental sustainability and energy consulting

The firm’s growth has been driven by increasing demand for economic expertise in areas like regulation, competition, and climate change. Its employee-owned structure has remained consistent since inception, shaping its independent and collaborative culture.

What Careers and Internships Does Frontier Economics Offer?

Frontier Economics careers begin with the Consultant role and progress to Senior Consultant, Manager, and Director. The firm also offers internships to undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing hands-on project experience, training, and mentoring. Both career and internship opportunities emphasize economics-based consulting and exposure to high-impact sectors like energy and public policy.

Key points about careers at Frontier Economics:

• Entry-level consultants work on real projects from day one
• Career path advances through clearly defined levels up to Director
• Opportunities to specialize in practice areas like competition, climate change, or trade
• Exit opportunities include roles in industry, government, or other consulting firms

Frontier Economics internship programs:

• Open to economics undergraduates and postgraduate students
• Offered in both short-term (8 to 12 weeks) and long-term (6 to 12 months) formats
• Interns work with senior consultants and managers, gaining exposure to case studies and client-facing analysis
• Interview process includes a behavioral round and an economics-based case study assessment

For aspiring consultants, internships are a key entry point into the firm and often lead to full-time offers. Careers at Frontier Economics are well suited for candidates who enjoy applying economics to solve complex, real-world challenges.

What Is the Frontier Economics Salary by Role?

The Frontier Economics salary in London starts at about £70,000 for Consultants and increases to £80,000 for Senior Consultants, £113,000 for Managers, and up to £240,000 for Directors. Salaries vary by office, but the firm remains competitive within the economic consulting industry while offering the added benefits of employee ownership.

Salary progression by role:

• Consultant: £70,000 (approx. $90,000)
• Senior Consultant: £80,000
• Manager: £113,000
• Finance/Director level: £240,000+

Compared to top strategy firms such as McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, the starting salary is slightly lower. However, Frontier’s compensation structure is balanced by strong work-life balance, a collaborative culture, and the long-term value of being part of an employee-owned firm.

This makes the Frontier Economics salary package appealing to candidates who want meaningful work, stability, and fair progression without the extreme hours often seen at larger firms.

What Is the Frontier Economics Culture Like?

The Frontier Economics culture is collaborative, transparent, and rooted in intellectual curiosity. Employees highlight the supportive environment, strong work-life balance, and autonomy to shape their careers. As an employee-owned firm, the culture reflects shared responsibility and inclusivity, making it distinct from many traditional consulting companies.

Key aspects of the Frontier Economics culture include:

• Emphasis on rigorous economic analysis applied to real-world issues
• A participatory environment where employees influence firm direction
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives, including seminars and employee networks
• Work-life balance supported by flexible structures and autonomy
• A friendly, intellectually stimulating workplace that values collaboration

Employee reviews often note that the firm attracts smart, motivated professionals who enjoy solving complex economic and policy challenges. For candidates, this culture can be a major draw when compared to larger firms with more rigid structures.

What Is the Frontier Economics Interview Process?

The Frontier Economics interview process includes an online application followed by two interview stages: a behavioral round and a technical round. The behavioral stage assesses cultural fit, while the technical stage tests economics knowledge through case studies and applied problem-solving. This structured process helps evaluate both consulting skills and academic foundations.

Key steps in the Frontier Economics interview:

• Online application: Submit CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts
• First round: Behavioral interview focusing on motivation, teamwork, and firm fit
• Second round: Technical interview with questions on microeconomics and econometrics
• Case study: Applicants analyze a policy intervention or regulatory issue, explaining data collection methods and expected outcomes

Tips for candidates:

• Review core economics concepts such as supply-demand and competition theory
• Practice explaining economic models in simple, practical terms
• Prepare for both quantitative problem-solving and structured communication
• Show collaboration and adaptability when discussing how you would work with colleagues and clients

This process reflects the firm’s focus on intellectual rigor and practical application of economics in real-world consulting contexts.

Is Frontier Economics a Good Consulting Firm to Work For?

Frontier Economics is considered a good consulting firm to work for because it combines competitive salaries, an employee-owned structure, and a collaborative culture. The firm consistently ranks highly for economic consulting and sustainability, and employees report strong career growth, supportive leadership, and better work-life balance than many larger strategy firms.

Reasons why Frontier Economics is viewed positively:

• Employee ownership encourages transparency and shared responsibility
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects in regulation, climate change, and public policy
• Strong diversity and inclusion initiatives, including staff-led networks and cultural events
• Clear career progression with structured training and mentorship
• Competitive pay balanced with healthier working hours compared to larger firms

External rankings, such as being placed in the top five EMEA economic consulting firms, reinforce its reputation. For candidates who want meaningful work with supportive colleagues, Frontier Economics offers a well-rounded consulting career path.

What Are the Exit Opportunities After Frontier Economics?

Exit opportunities after Frontier Economics are strong, as alumni transition into roles in government, regulatory bodies, international organizations, and private corporations. Many former consultants also move to other consulting firms or pursue careers in industries like energy, finance, and technology, where economic expertise and policy analysis are highly valued.

Common exit paths include:

• Government and public sector: Policy analysis roles in ministries, regulators, or central banks
• International organizations: Roles at institutions like the OECD, IMF, or World Bank
• Private sector: Strategy, finance, or regulatory affairs positions in large corporations
• Consulting firms: Joining broader strategy or specialized consulting practices
• Academia or research: Opportunities in universities, think tanks, or economic research institutes

These opportunities reflect the transferable nature of skills gained at Frontier Economics. Consultants leave with expertise in microeconomics, econometrics, and applied policy evaluation, preparing them for impactful careers in multiple sectors.

Why the Frontier Economics Firm Profile Matters

In just over two decades, the Frontier Economics Firm Profile has grown into a leading presence in economic consulting, with offices across Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Its employee-owned structure, rigorous analysis, and focus on sustainability make it an attractive option for candidates seeking meaningful careers in consulting.

For aspiring consultants, the firm offers clear career progression, competitive salaries, and a collaborative culture centered on real-world impact. Whether your interest lies in public policy, climate change, or competition economics, Frontier Economics provides a strong foundation to build a career that blends economic expertise with practical problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are Frontier Economics competitors?
A: Frontier Economics competitors include Oxera, NERA, CRA, and FTI Consulting, all of which are economic consulting firms specializing in competition, regulation, and public policy advisory.

Q: What are the core values of Frontier Economics?
A: The core values of Frontier Economics emphasize independence, collaboration, diversity, and delivering evidence-based insights that shape industries such as energy, climate change consulting, and public policy advisory.

Q: Is Frontier Economics independent?
A: Yes, Frontier Economics is independent and employee-owned, which ensures unbiased analysis and supports the collaborative Frontier Economics culture described in the Frontier Economics Firm Profile.

Q: What type of company is Frontier?
A: Frontier is an economic consulting company offering advisory services in competition, regulation, public policy, and environmental sustainability consulting, with offices across Europe and Australia.

Q: What are the practices of Frontier Economics?
A: The practices of Frontier Economics include competition policy, energy and climate change consulting, telecoms, financial services, and public policy advisory, providing professionals with exposure to diverse industries and impactful Frontier Economics careers.