What we do…

Strategy development

Good strategy development should be clear and simple. No jargon, no pretence.

The process is often as important as the product: drawing on what you and your team already know, and pulling in the best bits of what others can share.

Most of all, a good strategy should show everyone what you’re about, and help them see their place in the bigger picture.

When working on strategy development, clients say my approach is “collegiate” and “collaborative”. We engage and iterate as we go along, making sure things are heading in the right direction and everyone is on board.

Time is precious. When you bring people together, you need to get the most out of it. There are objectives to meet and business to do, but you also want come away feeling energised, connected, and renewed.

When I facilitate, I help everyone to be heard, and I get you and your people to the outcome you’re after. The pace is perfect: not rushed and not laboured. We keep it bright, engaging, meaningful and focused.

Whether it’s a one-off day with your team or a series of events with important stakeholders, you can be confident and assured that things will run smoothly.

Facilitation

Sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. Complex and rangy bits of work can feel too hard to tackle, while less tricky projects tick along nicely. But you know it’s vital to crack those bigger things, in order to make real progress.

With dedicated capacity and a fresh pair of eyes, I can distil a huge amount of complex information into manageable insight, for you and your team to work with. I’ll make sure to ‘show you my workings’ so you can see how the source materials link to the proposed next steps. But I’ll keep it clear and focused, so you don’t have to wade through the detail.

Insight

Looking back at what’s been achieved is a motivator, a reality check, and a building block for what comes next. It’s also really important if you want to keep funding coming in, and show people the impact of what you and your team have accomplished.

I can work with you on retrospective evaluation, or right at the outset of a project to determine key success and impact measures. I’m particularly skilled at bringing people’s voices directly onto the page, to tell the stories of your success.

Evaluation

If you’re committed to delivering a project, you need someone who can keep all the plates spinning. You need to satisfy your stakeholders, keep your team involved, and deliver by deadline and within budget.

My style of management isn’t bogged down in complex project methodology or unnecessary paperwork. We focus on what matters, make sure everyone’s clear on their roles, agree achievable milestones and then stick to them.

With a background in public service management, and leadership roles across the third sector, I understand complexity. Project management in this context is about being nimble, responding to change, and findings ways to get things done. We’ll agree a way of doing things that really works for you; every project is different, and every bit of work I deliver is bespoke.

Project management

The way you tell your story really matters.

In a busy world, the way you choose to communicate your messages will determine your success.

I’m a skilled writer with a lot of experience sitting on your side of the table. I know you’ll sometimes want ‘short and punchy’ and sometimes you’ll need a 40 page report. I can deliver both, and I can work with you to figure out what fits your brief best. I’ll always have an eye on the big picture, but never lose sight of the detail.

Writing and editing

When someone moves on or steps away, you need to fill their shoes. Sometimes it’s planned, but sometimes it’s unexpected.

Either way, you need to cover off their work in a way that respects their legacy whilst also looking to the future. These can be sensitive situations, and are often times of instability and flux.

I’m a skilled senior leader and manager of people, with a lot of hands-on experience of managing change. I know how to hold the reins whilst also getting stuff done. One of my key strengths is building strong and trusting relationships in a very short space of time, and gathering insights to share with you for the wider organisational benefit.

If you’re looking for someone who’s more than just a safe pair of hands, I’m your person.

Interim support

The nuts and bolts of good governance should be in place regardless of how large your organiation is, or what kind of work you do. But it can be hard to know where to start, and sometimes you need some support.

I can work with you to map out where your governance is currently at, help you get your decision-making processes right, review your approach to risk, and much more.

Governance only works if people are placed at the heart of processes. I’ll make sure to bring your staff, trustees, volunteers and stakeholders along with us, in the way that feels right for you.

Charity governance

I’ve worked in teams for over twenty five years, in all sorts of roles. I know that sometimes all you need is a good all-rounder who can get things done. Added capacity in the short-term is a great option, cutting out costly recruitment and long-term commitment. Bringing someone on board for a while can help you make decisions about the shape of your team into the future, and think about work differently.

When I work with teams in this way, flexibility and emotional intelligence are the top priorities. I’ll pick up the context quickly, get up to speed without intensive input from others, and figure out the best way to add a lot of value.