As Module 3 of the PwC Account Managers Development Programme (AMDP) comes to an end, Rome provided a fitting backdrop for growth, confidence-building, and moments of reflection that make learning stick. Lucy, our Marketing and Communications Specialist, sat down with PwC Account Director, Nicki Kavanagh and Senior Account Manager, Jo Frei Hill to ask how it went and to hear their reflections post-event:

Q: For those unfamiliar with AMDP, how is the programme structured?

Nicki: The Account Managers Development Programme at PwC runs over nine months and is built around three modules. It begins with a Welcome call and ends with a reflective Closing Call, giving participants space to step back and take stock of their learning journey.

Each module has a distinct focus: Account Strategy and Disciplines in Module 1, Developing Relationships in Module 2, and Commercial Impact in Module 3. Delivered through a blend of face-to-face and virtual sessions, the programme has evolved over the years while staying true to its purpose — supporting account managers to grow with confidence and intent.

Q: What makes Module 3 different to Modules 1 and 2?

Nicki: Module 3 is a fully immersive, end-to-end simulation. Participants work in teams on a detailed brief for a fictitious client, brought to life by professional actors portraying C-suite executives.

Over three intensive days, teams meet clients, navigate competing priorities, build relationships, and ultimately pitch their proposal to a client panel. The realism is consistently reflected in participant feedback, creating an experience that feels authentic, challenging and engaging.

Q: How do you make the experience feel real while keeping it a safe space for learning?

Jo: The balance is achieved through careful design and preparation. While the client scenario is fictitious, it’s grounded in real commercial context and updated regularly.

Participants are stretched — whether through presenting, networking or working under pressure — but always within a psychologically safe environment. The focus is firmly on learning and growth, not perfection, with facilitators supporting individuals differently based on their experience and where they are in their development journey.

Q: What stood out about this year’s cohort?

Jo: What really stood out was the emphasis on relationship before solution. Teams invested time in understanding the client stakeholders as people — their context, pressures and priorities — before responding to the technical brief.

Nicki: AI tools can now help teams analyse stakeholder requirements more quickly than in the past, but the real differentiator is how effectively participants build rapport, listen deeply and reflect each individual’s language back to them. That balance between technical capability and human connection was particularly strong this year.

Q: Is there a moment from Rome that’s stayed with you?

Nicki: One of the most powerful moments comes at the end of the final pitch, when teams receive direct feedback from the client panel. Seeing how far participants have come in just three days is incredibly rewarding.

Jo: Equally memorable was hearing participants describe the experience as a safe yet challenging learning environment. Watching participants push themselves beyond their comfort zones and succeed is a reminder of why experiences like this make such a difference to people, and it is a great motivator for us!

You can read the full PwC EMEA AMDP client success story here. 

If you’d like to explore how Juniper supports organisations through delivering impactful learning and development programmes, you can find out more about our services here. 

Get in touch to start a conversation about what would make the biggest difference for your people by emailing: team@thejuniperco.co.uk