To transfer to function (or any other type of consulting), you need to focus your time on that kind of work in advance, actively seek out exposure to those projects and transition gradually. You will likely find it easier to make that move as you become more senior, and if you combine it with a change of employer (your current employer will likely continue to regard you as a technical consultant whatever you do). Therfore, you could plan the move to coincide with your geographical move (i.e. 3-4 years).I don't think consultants with a technical background have any advantage in being promoted - they will have better access to technical roles, and less access to non-technical roles. CIO is more likely than COO or CEO for example. Project manager is a very broad and effectively meaningless term - anybody can be a project manager, regardless of background and seniority.
