Creative facilitation

I help people to work better together and explore their creative edge.

I’ve delivered 100s of workshops, away days, conferences and events for clients including AstraZeneca, Adnams, Mind, Shell, Britten Pears Arts, Imperial College London and Community Climate Action.

I also deliver training in creative facilitation and organise unhurried conversationsstory circles and networking events for authentic relating.

If you’d like to talk about creative facilitation drop me a note.

Change comes with open heart, open mind and open will.

Otto Scharmer - Presencing Institute

Changing meetings

from

Predictable & dull

Duelling monologues

Busy processes

Missed opportunities

to

Responsive & alive

Intelligent networks

Creative spaces

Surprising results

"A rare mix of insight, creativity and humour."

“Alex was a delight to work with and provided a rare mix of insight, creativity and humour.

“The result was a stronger sense of team identity, purpose and values and the sessions were challenging and fun in equal measure which helped us shift up a gear.”

Julian Munson
Head of Innovation, New Anglia

My approach

I use a variety of activities to bring more vitality and creativity to group work. 

Over the years I’ve experimented with lots of ‘serious-but-fun’ processes that inspire collaborative learning, thinking and action.

A good process is important, but I find that it helps to be responsive to what’s happening in the room and grab hold of opportunities as they arise.

With 25 years in creative and strategic roles, I’m good at helping leaders and teams get clarity and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

I’ll work closely with you to understand your people, your context and your goals for the session. We’ll work through the design process together and take time to reflect on the afterwards as well.

I try to avoid a one-directional flow of communication with presentations and panel discussions in favour of collaborative processes like Open Space and World Cafe. These may seem messy at first, but they support intelligent networks, fresh thinking and shared action.

See my resources page for a few examples of the games, activities and processes I like to use.

Some recent projects

  • Cultural transformation and strategy development for mental health charity Mind
  • Team cohesion workshops and strategic planning retreat for AstraZeneca
  • Facilitation skills training for Britten Pears Arts and University of Suffolk
  • Leaders Transformed programme with Theatre Royal Norwich
  • Innovative thinking and creative confidence workshop for Forces in Mind
  • Re-imagining the marketing story of the Shell retail brand license offer
  • Innovation project training change makers for Access Community Trust
  • Stakeholder workshops, team strategy days and talks for University of Suffolk
  • Community climate action workshops for Community Climate Action
  • Governance and leadership renewal workshop for Suffolk Girlguiding
  • Access to Healthcare vision and mission for AstraZeneca
  • Arts-based and creative research projects in higher education
  • Staff conferences for Mind, St Nicholas Hospice
  • An academic paper on ‘Facilitating co-creation using a network model’

Let's do something together

If you’re looking for a facilitator for an away day, workshop or event I’d be very happy to have a chat your project.

I work with teams, groups and boards from lots of sectors so I can be a neutral sounding board and help you explore what’s possible.

If you’d like to chat about a project drop me a line.

Facilitation training

I offer training in creative facilitation for in-house groups.

Some clients I have worked with...

Over the years I’ve got around a bit. Here are some clients who have helped me learn my craft:

...and some things they say about me.

"Alex is stand out the best facilitator I have ever worked with."
Ginny Idehen | CEO
"Alex helps people to think differently. Feedback from staff is always amazing."
Emma Ratzer MBE | CEO
I was blown away with a fun, creative process and ideas we could implement."
Neil Prem | Executive Director
"Warmth and insight that instantly wins confidence"
Liz Barnard | Service Manager
"Always been very impressed... a great sense of humour"
James Cretney | CEO
"Sessions with Alex are dynamic and thought-provoking"
Sally Butcher | CEO