Internship programme blends career with culture

A Caribbean food and drink supplier is offering a UK-based undergraduate or graduate a unique opportunity to take part in an international internship that blends professional development with cultural immersion.

Grace Foods UK, recently named the UK’s number one Caribbean food and drink supplier by Circana, has opened applications for the 2026 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Summer Internship Programme, in partnership with its parent company, GraceKennedy.

The prestigious programme is designed to reconnect second- and third-generation Jamaicans aged 18 to 25 living in the UK with their heritage. The selected UK intern will join peers from the United States and Canada for a six-week professional and cultural placement in Jamaica during the summer of 2026.

Launched in 2004, the GK Jamaican Birthright Programme has hosted more than 60 participants, offering them immersive experiences across Jamaica’s civic, cultural and business landscapes.

Interns benefit from hands-on work experience within GraceKennedy’s business units, alongside curated cultural and heritage activities, equipping them with valuable career skills and a stronger sense of identity and purpose.

GK Group CEO, Frank James, said: “With deep roots in Jamaica and a global presence, GraceKennedy is committed to investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry our nation’s story into boardrooms, classrooms, operating rooms and creative spaces around the world.

“It is about more than visiting Jamaica; it is about experiencing it in a way that builds belonging, pride and purpose.”

This year’s UK representative, Kyrah McIntosh from Liverpool Hope University, took part in the 2025 internship alongside peers from the US and Canada. During the programme, which ran from 23 June to 6 August, Kyrah engaged in professional development sessions and met national leaders, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

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As part of the programme’s Heritage Pathway Tours, interns visited significant cultural and historical sites across Jamaica, deepening their understanding of the island’s traditions and their own cultural roots.

Applications for the 2026 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme are now open.

For more information and application details for the 2026 programme, please visit: www.bit.ly/GKBirthright

Boutique consultancy bucks big-firm trend with decade of director-led success

A leading building consultancy is bucking the industry trend towards ever-larger practices by proving that smaller, director-led firms can deliver some of the UK’s biggest projects.

Hertfordshire and Londonbased AME LLP, founded in 2015 by Martin Treacy, Tony Riley and Purdey Silvester, is marking its 10th anniversary with a track record that includes HS2’s Euston compulsory purchase, the redevelopment of New Scotland Yard, UCL’s Institute of Education masterplan and major lease negotiations for the BBC.

Martin said: “We wanted to show that you don’t need an army of juniors to deliver at the top level. Clients deal directly with us. They get our experience, our judgment and our accountability and that’s why they come back.

“We left big-firm director roles because we wanted to be hands-on. Too often, senior people bring the work in and hand it down.” That approach has proved resilient through some of the toughest challenges the sector has faced. During COVID, when many consultancies struggled, AME’s clients continued to work closely with them during this difficult time. The three effortlessly work across each other’s instructions to create a cohesive experience for clients, reflecting the trust and camaraderie that underpins the partnership.

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Purdey said: “Clients tell us they value our honesty and responsiveness. We don’t just do the job in front of us; we take time to understand their business and strategy so we can give the best advice. That’s why they continue to use us and often call to bounce ideas of us.”

Looking ahead, AME sees opportunities in the transformation of office space, the growth of the build-to-rent sector and the increasing demands of fire safety and sustainability regulation. The partners are also exploring where AI and smart building tools can add value while staying true to their director-led model.

Tony said: “We’re not building an empire. Our plan is sustainable growth – around 10 per cent year on year – while maintaining the principle we started with: direct, senior advice that delivers measurable value.”

As AME enters its second decade, the partners remain convinced their boutique approach is a model for the future. Martin said: “Big firms have their place, but there will always be room for experienced professionals who roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves. That’s why we set up AME and that’s why we’re still here 10 years on.”