With collaboration being acknowledged as the number one solution to tackling many of the complex challenges facing our places and communities; senior leaders and organisations are continuingly grappling with how to actually build 'Collaborations of Impact' - a unifying framework for collaborative action that delivers at pace; thereby exceeding the expectations of you and your partners.
With over 25 years of real world hands-on experiences coupled with relevant academic under-pinning and a military service background; I provide leaders and organisations with practical advice and solutions to the multi-faceted challenges they face in seeking to build and sustain 'Collaborations of Impact'.
My interest in collaboration and networks really started during my British Army career where I worked in a number of multi-national operational command posts around the world. I was always fascinated by maps and battle plans - how it all fits together.....
This military grounding served me well as I later spent 10 years as the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Southampton City Council. Reporting to the Leader of The Council and Chief Executive, I was tasked with ensuring that we maximised our citywide strategic partnership working and collaboration to accelerate delivery of economic, social and environmental outcomes. The Council even secured a Green Rating from Government for our political and corporate commitment to partnership working placing us in the Top 25% of high performing local authorities nationally.
Since 2012 I have been an independent consultant specialising in strategic partnership working and collaboration. I have been called upon to provide specialist advice and support to a number of high profile / high stakes collaboration programmes including the transformation of Bordon Garrison into a green and connected town; the redevelopment of Deepcut Barracks; Chilmington Garden Community development; and the development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Inclusive Economy Collaborative Pilot.
In all cases, I have left these programmes in a much stronger collaborative place than when I first started with them.
John Coughlan; Chief Executive; Hampshire County Council:
'easy manner and good professional focus...... appreciated by partners; I do wish to formally thank you for your significant contribution'
Clare Chester; Regeneration Manager; East Hampshire District Council:
'designed and facilitated a number of partnership development workshops which challenged and encouraged partners from a broad range of sectors and backgrounds to test new ideas, but in a gentle way that brings people with him'
Simon Newell; Head of Policy, Partnerships & Scrutiny; Brighton & Hove City Council:
'excellent ability to centre the session on the conversations that matter'
Cllr Terri Reid; Deputy Leader of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council:
'thank you so much for your skillful facilitation..... it felt like the start of something very exciting for our regeneration strategy'
Suna King; Town Development Manager; New Milton Town Council
'rare ability to draw out the individual needs of diverse partners, with sensitivity and pragmatism, taking everyone towards a unified vision'
Tere Daly, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Solent University:
'facilitated a 2-day strategic conversations workshop for my senior management team that was pitched perfectly.... as well as being interactive and engaging'
Cllr David Clifford; Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council:
'thank you very much for getting us started - there is no stopping us now'
Liz Creedy; Head of Policy & Partnerships; Wiltshire Council:
'skills and knowledge in partnership working were invaluable'
Chris Shephard; Director of Development; BCP Council:
'certainly needed your skills and talents to set up the governance, engage key stakeholders both internally & externally, and keep the project moving forwards'