Independent consultancy for charities, grantmakers, and civil society
With over 25 years of experience in the voluntary sector, Alex helps charities, funders and civil society organisations develop their strategies, strengthen their organisations and manage change.
A former charity Chief Executive, senior director and public sector commissioner, Alex combines extensive practical experience with expertise in strategic planning, organisational development, research and evaluation.
Alex offers a range of consultancy services, including:
Strategy and business planning
Organisational change and development
Governance and leadership
Research and evaluation
Facilitation and organisational reviews
Crisis management and CEO capacity
Alex understands the everyday realities of running charities and works directly with trustees, leadership teams and staff to address challenges, develop new approaches and make lasting improvements.
His work has helped organisations develop new strategies, manage difficult transitions, strengthen leadership and organisational culture, improve their financial sustainability and demonstrate the value of their work.
Alongside his consultancy, Alex is an established writer and commentator on civil society and philanthropy, and the author of Barely Civil Society.
Whether you need a strategy day, an independent review, and evaluation or longer-term support, Alex can help.
Get in touch to discuss your organisation's needs.
Strategy and change
Sometimes organisations just need space and structure to work out where they’re heading – and sometimes they need deeper support to get through major change. My strategy work ranges from short workshops to full reviews and long-term development. I specialise in organisational change and reimagining.
Learning and impact
Learning and evaluation is more than a report at the end of a project. I design evaluations that involve staff, volunteers and service users, so the process itself generates insight and improvement. The aim is to understand what works (and what doesn’t), and to use that knowledge to shape future practice.
Governance and culture
With many years of leadership work and extensive teaching, training and mentorship experience, I help organisation and individuals lead, learn and work together - as groups of human beings as well as institutions. I design and deliver programmes that build skills, confidence and reflective practice, alongside coaching and mentoring for leaders at all levels. It’s about supporting people with the realities of organisational life, not just theory on paper.
Insight and research
I take on in-depth research projects that raise unheard voices to help make a case for change, with powerful storytelling. This can be used to support campaigning and policy change, or explain the work we do – work designed to make voices heard and shift debate. This includes qualitative and participatory research, advocacy-focused studies, and writing that connects politics with civil society.
Who I work with
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Charities
From the smallest to the largest, Alex supports charities of all sizes to strengthen strategy, plan for the future, and build resilience. Alongside this, he provides extensive evaluation of programmes and services. Alex is an ex-CEO and knows exactly what day to day charity life is like.
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Foundations and grantmakers
Alex knows ‘both sides of the desk’, having worked for years for funders and commissioners as well as frontline charities. He has written countless bids as well as read them, and his ability to bridge the gaps between both - with a keen eye on strategy and programmes - is his key strength.
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Research, policy and campaigning organisations
Alex researches, analyses, and tells stories for causes. This includes editorial content, academic-level research, and accessible think-pieces and calls to action. He is determined that writing should not sit on a shelf, but be read and used. Alex is also a highly experienced qualitative researcher, and specialises in using real voices to make powerful cases for change.
Why work with me ?
I’ve worked with over 50 organisations from the tiniest to the largest. I’m known for my sense of fun as well as my depth of knowledge and experience, my thought leadership and advocacy for change in the nonprofit world.
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