Leading Edge Consulting Ltd: who we are

Leading Edge is directed by Alan Berresford and Paul Schrijnen.

We have worked together for over 35 years, initially in Human Development, latterly as consultants. In the last ten years we have worked on four major multi-year initiatives:

Tarmac (now Carillion);
Cable and Wireless Jamaica;
Commission for Social Care Inspection (now part of CQC & Ofsted)
a local Social Services organisation.

Because of increasing requests to handle larger projects we set this business up as a formal entity in 2007. We are especially interested in Health and Social Care, Energy and Financial Services.

Key influences on our work

In the 1970’s and 1980’s we worked with the Institute of Cultural Affairs, an NGO focussed on Human Development in communities and organisations. In the ICA we learned our small and large group facilitation skills. We learned about the importance of Vision and Purpose to propel people into the future and the importance of clear analysis to make action practical.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s we worked with organisations highly skilled in large scale organisational change and leadership development such as the Competitive Management Initiative, Forum and the Leadership Research Institute. We learned there key concepts and processes such as 360 feedback, Strategic Intent, and the Customer-Employee Value Chain.

Over the last ten years we have learned new ideas and tools in the area of effective conversation from the work of Mickey Connolly and other Conversant consultants. The idea that, to be effective, conversations have to be fact-based and purpose-driven, has become an important concept in our work.

Alan Alan Berresford combines a thorough analytical perspective with a sensitivity to the human factor. He makes sure the workshops he facilitates get to the core of the issue and produce clear action plans. He is keen to make sure that workshops in health, local government and social care result in improved outcomes for users, patients and carers.

Paul Paul Schrijnen's approach is characterized by high energy and his desire to help managers to have a positive impact on the people they lead. He makes complex management models practical and easy to understand. He helps leaders make critical changes to their approach and behaviour, changes that often have as much effect in their personal lives. Paul has worked for Amgen, TI, BP, RBS, HSBC and the Abu Dhabi Civil Service. He is committed to helping managers in Africa to excel in managing their institutions.