What Clients Say
We are delighted with the feedback we receive from our clients and participants. We regularly review our performance, seeking and giving objective feedback on our projects. We and our clients learn from this, and it helps us both to deliver an excellent service and achieve maximum impact.
Advocate Interview
"I had previous experience of two members of Berkshire Consultancy when I was completing a Masters degree. I valued and respected their way of learning and their vast knowledge. I have since worked with Berkshire for 10 years in 3 different companies.
The University of Birmingham required people who had worked at a higher level of education. Through our recruitment process we shortlisted 7 companies and interviewed five. Some of the deciding factors in selecting Berkshire were that they possessed a high level of executive management; understood our need for credibility and demonstrated that they are highly academic with a rounded knowledge and diverse expertise; illustrated that they could deliver what we wanted and that it would be tailor-made. Berkshire showed that they were diverse and able to see and use different people’s strengths to obtain the required outcome. Berkshire differed from other companies in that they evidenced that they were adaptable.
Berkshire are one of the best management consultants and I have worked with a few! Berkshire has the ability to get to the heart of the issue and work alongside you without dictating. Berkshire are flexible and able to change people’s attitude and create a positive result.
Business performance has increased in that we are more confident in what we are doing. This has been evident through a Change Management Programme that Berkshire helped design and deliver. An outcome of the work Berkshire delivered is an increase in team self-belief, the change within the team was widely recognised throughout the university. There has been a change in attitude which is noticeable from 4 years ago where the presence of a consultancy company was first looked upon as suspicious and now people are onboard and happy to work alongside Berkshire.
Berkshire has been very helpful in the restructure of the HR Partnership Programme, which consisted of 2 cohorts, teaching people a new business model which the University developed with Berkshire. Berkshire increased confidence and through this model people within the university were promoted. Berkshire worked with us during the interview process and recognised a need for a development plan.
The work that Berkshire has done with us has changed the culture of the organisation, people are ready to accept change and see that leadership and management have a place at the table. Berkshire helped design 360 degree feedback with the Executive Board including the new Vice Chancellor. We could have used other consultancy companies, however we felt that Berkshire were extraordinarily flexible, honest and constructive.
Berkshire are different to other consultancy companies in that they have the ability to have a relationship with me and do not regard me as just another customer – I feel valued. Berkshire have the ability not to just sell you a service, they produce the right solution. Berkshire start with facilitation and then coaching. They are not just a money spinner, they believe in relationship management.
The work Berkshire has completed has been value for money. Berkshire completes a big project well and with a significant amount of research. We will move the budget if necessary as Berkshire is worth the money. I have enjoyed working with Berkshire who are thoroughly nice people. I can honestly say I have not found one person difficult to work with. Berkshire are intelligent, fun people with a good working ethos. I feel comfortable to pick up the phone at anytime. Berkshire has given good solid advice and has provided lots of coaching support and I have been treated as an extension of Berkshire and vice versa. Berkshire’s underlying qualities are their integrity and authority. Berkshire respects themselves and their clients. These qualities run throughout Berkshire regardless of the level of consultant. Birmingham University have huge respect for Berkshire’s rationale and ethos."Sally Worth, Head of Academic Practice and Organisational Development, University Of Birmingham
Advocate Interview
"I recognised that Berkshire Consultancy Limited has significant experience in leadership development techniques, introducing tools which participants could relate to and use to improve their commercial acumen, as well as improving their stakeholder management and influencing skills. I felt that Berkshire Consultancy showed a good understanding of the strategy for our business and of Hitachi’s values. In addition they were able to add value through their awareness of individuals’ preferred styles especially in regards to leadership. BCL shared a wide range of models as part of the Leadership programme, including conflict, feedback skills and assertiveness. I believe that Berkshire worked well in partnership with Hitachi and offered a broad view of the issues affecting our organisation, as well as demonstrating the ability to remain customer focussed.
I found it very easy to work with BCL as the consultants demonstrated great energy and focus through their commitment to maintaining the momentum of the programme over a period of nine months. The consultants were able to work well with participants where English was not their first language and in addition demonstrated that they were willing to go the extra mile by taking the time to talk to the participants during breaks and lunches, suggesting different techniques and challenging the participants to experiment with leadership styles which might suit them and impact positively on how they manage relationships.
The Leadership programme was a great success and helped improve participants’ capability to understand the broader goals of Hitachi, both globally and in Europe, and as a result manage their projects more effectively. In addition the programme enabled participants to develop mutually beneficial networks across Europe. Berkshire Consultancy assisted in developing positive, impactful customer interaction skills and increased participants’ confidence in influencing and presentation skills. As a result of the programme, participants have demonstrated an increased awareness of other people’s view points, which has helped promote a positive culture and foster relationships across Hitachi."Christine Cooke, Learning & Development Manager, Hitachi Europe
Advocate Interview
"The National Offender Management Service has worked with Berkshire on a number of leadership and management development programmes, over a number of years. Our experience of Berkshire is that they have taken the time to fully understand the work of NOMS and to design and deliver initiatives that reflect the context within which we work.
The feedback from participants has been consistently positive. I have found Berkshire consultants to be willing sounding boards and available to talk over options, even when there is no specific project in the offing and I have valued their wise counsel. I've appreciated their expertise, flexibility and responsiveness to the various initiatives we have worked on together. They bring a broad perspective and creativity to the work they do which is invaluable in working for NOMS, seeking as we are to develop our leadership and management capability in line with best practice."Lynn Williams NOMS Leadership Development Team
Advocate Interview
"During our selection process, the BCL tender was the most impressive, getting the balance right between detail and brevity and showing us that you had thought deeply about how best you could help us get the most out of the Process Review. You followed that up with an impressive pitch interview.
You got to know us quickly and well. You asked us difficult questions. You listened, and where necessary responded, when we said you’d got us wrong. You provided us with the tools to examine what we should change and how. You helped us see what we should aim for. And, of course, you expertly guided us through a complicated process.
All in all, you offered excellent value.
We are much clearer on why we should change, what we need to change into and how we can achieve that. Amongst other things, everyone now understands that the Advertising Standards Authority is an organisation that depends on the expertise and professionalism of our people. You have opened our eyes to the value of looking at the professional hours we spend on cases, rather than being overly focused on elapsed time.
I would use BCL again. You were extremely professional, engaging and fun to work with."Guy Parker, CEO, Advertising Standards Authority (June 2010)
Advocate Interview
"I really valued BCL’s approach of working in partnership with their clients, which helps to build extra capability internally.
Although we may have been able to design and run an assessment process ourselves, at the time we needed the expertise from BCL to guide us through the rigour. This expertise enabled us to develop a programme which had substance, credibility and validity, being backed up by theory and models.
Consultants at BCL used their experience and challenged things we wouldn’t have. During feedback, without BCL’s support, we would sometimes be clumsy with our delivery. BCL ensured we based what we said on facts rather than our own interpretation.
BCL’s flexible approach saves time and they don’t feel like a consultancy that counts every minute (this attitude goes against my personal and business values and puts me off). BCL’s approach makes me feel more relaxed and has encouraged me to go back to them for further consultancy support.
I have built a very good relationship with my contact at BCL which is a major factor in choosing to work with a consultancy. I choose a consultancy because of the person that I am working with and the 1:1 relationship is really important to me.
Overall BCL added value, they always provided a good quality service which I never had to worry about and they were reliable."Annette Preston, Former Director of Group capability, Talent and Performance, RSA Insurance
Advocate Interview
"I felt that Berkshire Consultancy (BCL) project managed the Leadership Development Programme (LDP) very well. BCL originally designed the Leadership Development Programme, giving RSA a strong foundation to build on from which the Programme could organically evolve. BCL have over 4 year’s experience of working with RSA and within this time they have cemented strong relationships. They have displayed a good understanding of our business needs and are very involved when it comes to making things happen.
I believe that BCL has the ability to deliver large scale Global Programmes; this coupled with their understanding of the finance sector led to a good synergy of this programme. BCL have been exciting and creative to work with. They really understood the key objectives and offered blended knowledge and learning. Through working with BCL I found them to be commercially savvy and well focused. The consultants were professional, enthusiastic and innovative.
The programme was very much transitional for the participants who have developed in confidence and knowledge. Participants are able to take new skills into their next role and share these with co-workers. The work carried out by BCL has encouraged a culture of openness. I feel participants are better equipped with skills to not only increase their ability to encourage feedback; they have increased their ability to give frank feedback. Measurable Programme outcomes include an increased number of promotions and level of success of the people involved. Should the opportunity arise I would work with BCL again."Justin Dunn, RSA Insurance
Advocate Interview
"When I first came across Berkshire Consultancy they hadn’t had much experience working with the police service so provided a fresh pair of eyes and asked some seemingly simple but very challenging questions, offering suggestions as to how we might do things differently.
We have now been working with them for the last 2.5 years. Initially BCL ran four team development events for the senior management teams. They also helped us design some impressive development centres for middle managers. The centres were aligned to the Police Leadership Qualities Framework (PLQF) and needed to stretch and challenge people. The success is due to the time and effort BCL put in to aligning the exercises to the PLQF which enabled participants to understand the behaviours and skills being tested. They could explore how to do things differently in a safe environment through feedback and coaching. I received a lot of positive feedback regarding the quality of the Coaches and the Actors.
Participants fed back that it was a unique experience and people felt valued by the investment made in them as individuals. It’s like giving them a shot of adrenalin, and had the added benefit of reinforcing the benefits of developing the next generation of leaders
BCL are now successfully supporting us through executive coaching. They have supported a number of senior leaders in successfully seeking promotion to the highest echelons of the service. These coachees have said that the Executive Coaching provided contributed significantly to them achieving promotion.
BCL is our principal Organisational Development consultancy. They share our values and have developed a good understanding of our organisation and its evolving culture. The consultants are knowledgeable and competent and have credibility. They are genuine in their desire to support us.
BCL are value for money. We have tight budgets, which they understand and work within our parameters.
We are currently looking for BCL to be our principal partner on a new programme for senior leaders."Graham Ramsey, Assistant Director of People (Organisational Development), Gloucestershire Police.
For help or assistance please email natasha.mcdowell@berkshire.co.uk or call us on 0118 932 3580.
