We are a training and consultancy business. We started this business because we could see an opportunity. An opportunity to unlock value in businesses, By developing the most valuable resource a business has. It’s people.
In our careers we encountered waste. In other words, talent remaining hidden or underutilised. Too often people just ‘did their job,’ their ideas, suggestions and potential were frequently overlooked.
Conversely, there was a skills shortage. With companies crying out for candidates to fulfil roles. Our view was why not develop the existing people in the business with better skills to fill those roles?
So, we created our optimisation programme, with a view to developing that resource. Machines and systems can be optimised, so why can’t people?
And if we could link these better skills to key business objectives, we would not only have a more capable workforce, but also tackle many of the key challenges for the business.
We are passionate about people realising their full potential.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We understand how important it is to have a capable and motivated workforce, because we have been there. We have spent much time listening, questioning, understanding, getting the best out of people and achieving business objectives. We have shed blood, sweat and tears making a difference and moving things forward.
Our experience spans engineering and logistics. In very hands-on roles, creating and delivering solutions to complex problems, including;
Leading multi-disciplinary operations, commercial and project teams
Consultancy in private/public sector including change programmes
Training in areas of operations, safety and commercial
Commissioning, implementation and project management
Commercial strategy development.
Business development and key account management
We also are co-ordinate various activities in a professional capacity with The Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChemE) and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
OUR TEAM
Sara Penrose
Sara is a Chartered Chemical Engineer, with over 20 years of experience focusing on plant optimisation, project management, plant management, and risk assessment in the UK and France. This has been gained in a variety of sectors, including food, resin, chemical and nuclear.
From designing and commissioning new manufacturing facilities to running 2 production plants looking after a team of 40 people Sara developed strong communication and problem-solving skills in real time.
Sara has been a trainer for new plant operation, team development, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and leader for Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP). Working closely with multi-disciplinary teams at all levels to raise performance and grow professional development.
As that journey progressed Sara learnt many techniques in critical thinking, lateral thinking and problem solving that formed the basis for my experience and how they can maximise productivity, efficiency, safety and quality.
‘I have always valued the fusion of creativity and process. It has enabled me to innovate and solve many design and operation problems. So often this value is not realised in the workplace, people are under-utilised and siloed into roles that only encourage “we have always done it like this” and “no time to reinvent the wheel”. Not enough space to ask questions and properly understand information. It was this that drove my desire to maximise the value of people through development training. So in 2018 I co-founded Sara Penrose Limited.’
Sara is deputy chair of the Midland Members Group of IChemE and also a mentor for IChemE, for fellow chemical engineers as they progress their own careers through to obtaining chartership.
John Henderson
John has over 25 years’ experience in industry. Working in third party logistics, electronics, healthcare devices and behavioural change. In roles including Commercial Director, Logistics Manager, Business Development Manager and Consultant. This vast array of experience has help mould the content and style of the optimisation training programme as he has experienced first-hand how important it is to develop the people in a business to raise performance.
Much of that time was spent working very closely with customers to identify their needs and putting together solutions to fit. That involved the honed skills of asking questions and analysing the results to gain value from information. Key components in the optimisation training programme. Before leading, training and motivating teams to deliver on these customer expectations.
Numerous multi-million-pound logistics accounts for clients such as Morrisons, Waitrose, Brakes, Asda, Aldi and Ocado in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) were built up and managed. Leaving a reputation for solid solution design, high care, good service and sustainable business practice. As well as working with a superb collection of professionals along the way.
During his consultancy role John delivered behavioural change programmes for clients such as the Department of Transport (DfT), The Department of The Environment, Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Transport for London (TfL) in the areas of fuel-efficient logistics, transport compliance and water resource management. The programmes ensured areas such as improved skills and best practice were developed, trained and embedded to deliver the changes required from government policy.
John is Chair of the CILT – Northamptonshire Group, a member of the CILT steering group for the Operations and Supply Chain Management Forum, is a Professional Mentor for CILT and sits on the People and Skills Board for the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA).
A passion for writing formed when trying to write engaging best practice guides for a client! This transformed into writing of articles and blogs as well as working on his first fiction novel. This experience forms the basis for the story writing element of the creative task.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Ron Lynch
Helps show how projects can be planned and delivered. Very interesting, informative and practical
Michael Bodsworth
This approach allowed the team to understand they could achieve anything with a step by step approach, stepping outside of their comfort zone and thinking differently
Jenny Murray
The skills landscape report is very useful and I would absolutely recommend this training to others
