What we do

Help boards and leadership teams clarify direction, establish priorities and make choices about limited resources. The work may include developing or reviewing strategy, testing ambitions against organisational capacity and translating agreed priorities into responsibilities, measures and a manageable programme of work. The aim is a direction the organisation can act on and sustain.

Provide an independent examination of an organisational, operational, governance or programme issue. We clarify the questions that need answering, gather and test evidence, consider relevant perspectives and develop clear findings with practical recommendations. This can be particularly useful when an issue crosses internal boundaries, has become difficult to resolve or requires judgement independent of existing interests.

Examine whether structures, responsibilities, processes and ways of working support what the organisation is trying to achieve. The work may address stretched capacity, duplicated effort, unclear accountability or difficulties translating decisions into action. We help identify what needs to change and support implementation where required. The aim is to make better use of the organisation’s people, knowledge and resources.

Provide a confidential sounding board for founders, CEOs and senior leaders, and practical support for boards navigating strategy, change and difficult decisions. The work may include ongoing mentoring, preparation for a consequential decision, clearer board and executive responsibilities, governance frameworks, decision papers and constructive discussion between stakeholders. Support combines respect for the responsibilities leaders carry with the independence to question assumptions and challenge constructively.

Help organisations consider how philanthropic support advances their purpose and how the trust of donors and supporters is honoured in practice. The work may include clarifying philanthropic priorities, advising leaders on donor stewardship and strengthening the connection between commitments, the use of donated funds and delivery. The focus is strategic advice and organisational stewardship. Any fundraising-related work is scoped specifically with the client.

Help boards and executives clarify the leadership an organisation needs and support the appointment of board directors, CEOs and senior executives. We bring independent judgement to the definition of the role, the capability required and the fit with the organisation’s purpose and circumstances. Where appropriate, we work with specialist search partners.

Take responsibility for work that requires concentrated senior attention, crosses organisational boundaries or needs capability that is not available internally. This may involve establishing a new initiative, coordinating stakeholders, developing an operating model or leading an agreed project through to delivery. Practical systems, digital tools and specialist expertise can be incorporated where they help the organisation achieve the agreed outcome.