About Us

About me

Stuart Wickes & Associates is the independent training and consulting practice of Stuart Wickes. I'm an independent management and organizational development practitioner with 18 years of experience in engineering management, training management, management development, and change agent consulting work.

"For most of my professional life I have been learning myself and helping others learn. Not quite an obsession; it's certainly a passion. I believe learning is at the heart of personal and organisational change. Learning is the critical skill for coping with an ever-changing world or indeed for changing the world. In my own small ways I aim to help people with both.

Of course it's not always easy or straightforward; sometimes it's a struggle. People, organisations, learning and change can be complex, messy and confusing. And since each individual, organisation and situation is unique, there are no off-the-shelf answers. Therein lies the challenge, the interest and the reward of the work. We need to learn our way into the future we desire."

My services and expertise

Since 1998 I've run my own training and consulting practice providing training, facilitation, research and consulting services to help enhance individual and business performance. My practice specialises in developing workplace training and coaching capabilities, growing management and leadership talent, and facilitating individual and group learning in interpersonal skills. We do not offer open programmes but work to commissions and aim to deliver carefully tailored interventions to suit client need, culture and circumstances.

My approach

I deliver results by combining the strengths of my diverse professional training and experience. As an engineer, I work as a practical problem solver - helping people manage the puzzles and problems of change. As a change agent I guide, advise and support people, practically and emotionally, through change processes. As a development professional, I deliver innovative, highly participative learning solutions to help individuals and groups develop and move on.

I work in a highly collaborative, research-minded way, striving to link my work to current research and organizational best practice. In the ambiguity of complex organisational systems I get results by working with people to help them devise, commit to and take considered and timely action to move towards desired goals, learning a way forward while learning more about the systems they work within.

Clients and associates

I'm experienced in working with clients in both public and private sectors with substantial experience with people working in organisations involved in IT, engineering, broadcast technology and the creative media.

I'm equally at home working with front-line staff as with senior managers and organisational leaders, releasing and working with the innate learning capabilities that exist within each of us, irrespective of role or status.

Alongside my independent practice, I work collaboratively in associate relationships with other independent practitioners, small consultancy practices and internal consultants and trainers in large organisations.

My recent experience includes work with clients from BBC Resources Ltd, BBC Broadcast, BBC Technology, BBC Training & Development, Media Training North West, Impact Development Training Group, Management Futures, Steria, Change Partners UK, Dallam Community Education.

Background and education

I have a BEng (1st class Hons) in Engineering and Management Studies, MSc in Change Agent Skills and Strategies and am qualified to use the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. I'm a member of Institute of Electrical Engineers and affiliated to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I am also an Outdoor Activities Coach and Director of The Family Adventure Project. My work experience includes time with Ferranti Computer Systems as an engineer, with BBC Television News as an engineer and Training Coordinator, and with the BBC's People Development Division as a Management Trainer and Consultant.

Want to know more?

If you'd like to know me about me or my approach then please do get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.