London, England, United Kingdom
Douglas is a consultant specialising in how professional networks can accelerate transformation and improvement across education systems. For more than 20 years his work has focused on how schools and organisations learn from one another and how effective networks can spread innovation and good practice at scale. His research on professional networks was published in Harvard Business Review and later selected as one of HBR’s Top 10 Must Reads on Collaboration. Douglas began his career as a management consultant with Accenture, working in the Human Performance Practice in London on strategic change management, organisation design and knowledge management. He later led the development of the Knowledge and Innovation Network at Warwick Business School, where he directed a major project on high-performing networks and communities of practice in the private sector. This work led to the article Harnessing Your Staff’s Informal Networks in Harvard Business Review. His work in education began with The Innovation Unit, where he helped bring knowledge management and networked learning approaches to national innovation programmes working with organisations including National College for School Leadership, Training and Development Agency for Schools and Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. He later founded Whole Education and spent more than a decade helping to grow the Whole Education Network, supporting collaboration and improvement across schools and multi-academy trusts. The network now connects over 100 MATs. Whole Education’s work on scaling innovation was recognised by the OECD through its Innovative Learning Environments programme and by the UK Parliament Education Select Committee. Alongside these roles he has worked with a range of organisations internationally including the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chartered College of Teaching, the Roma Education Fund and Asia Society’s Global Cities Education Network. After Easter, Douglas will be helping to set up and lead a new non-profit venture to scale a highly successful initiative that narrows the gap for disadvantaged learners. He is also involved in the early stages of research and development initiative to support jurisdictions and organisations around the develop more powerful and effective networked to transform education systems and outcomes. He is open to conversations with any organisations or systems who want to develop more effective networks in education.
Supported a wide range of clients to develop effective networks in education aligned with their wider organisation strategy and priorities. These included Whole Education, Roma Education Fund, GEMS Education, XP Trust and various Multi Academy Trusts and other clients.
Main focus • Trust Network Development: strategic development of Whole Education’s Multi-Academy Trust Network • SEND School Improvement Network: strategic development and transition of Whole Education’s SEND school improvement programme and network This included • Strategy Development and Alignment: contributing to wider organisational strategy and aligning network development with strategic priorities • Network Design and Development: designing and developing the networks to meet member needs and support effective engagement • Event Design, Development and Facilitation: designing, developing and facilitating high-quality network events – a key driver of effective networks • Member Engagement: building strong relationships with Trust members and key stakeholders to understand their context, priorities and strengths, informing the ongoing development of the networks • Influence, Impact and Thought Leadership: ensuring the work of the networks was evidence-informed, engaging with leading experts, and highlighting impact while contributing thought leadership to the wider system Key achievements • Trust Network Growth: expanded the network to almost 50 Trusts, with very high engagement and satisfaction levels and year-on-year retention of over 95% • Trust Network Influence: contributed to leading sector thinking in areas including MAT organisational development (e.g. The Constant Dance with Professor Toby Greany) • SEND School Improvement Network Growth: grew network from scratch (now 100+ Trusts), alongside schools and local authorities, with high engagement, satisfaction and retention • SEND School Improvement Network Sustainability: ensured the continued growth and sustainability of the network, successfully transitioning leadership and facilitation to Gary Aubin • SEND School Improvement Network Influence: the work was independently evaluated by Professor Philip Garner as making a significant positive difference to participants and the wider system
Performed a wide range of contract roles over this period including: - Pre-launch Project Management and Fundraising: the pre-work to engage with potential funders to help turn Whole Education from an idea into a not for profit organisation. - Founding Director: founding the organisation, developing, evolving and implementing Strategy, Business Model and Operation Model - Co-Director: worked in a Co-Director role supporting the ongoing evolution and development of the organisation, with a key focus on Programme Development and Network Development - Executive Director: worked as an Executive Director and Interim Executive Director supporting the development of the organisation focused around effective network principles and good practice. Across all of these roles, I did work around Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Network Development, Event Design and Delivery and Change Management.
Supported GEMS Education in their strategic engagement with Whole Education's SEND School Improvement work in order to adapt to their context. Included a focus on building more networking and collaboration between Heads on Inclusion to help embed and sustain effective networking over time.
Consultant on the Spark Team to support the Roma Education Fund in developing its refreshed strategy to help improve life chances of Roma people through transformed education system experiences. This included design, planning and delivery of a 'charrete' including a gathering of education innovators and changemakers fro around the world, working together to transform education for Roma communities in Europe. This event informed 10 Recommendations for the Roma Education Fund, including how to make better use of effective networks.
Supported a wide range of clients to develop effective knowledge management strategies, with a particular focus on developing effective networks aligned with their wider organisation strategy and priorities. Clients included the United Nations Development Programme, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Innovation Unit, the Asia Society's Global Cities Education Network, the Chartered College of Teaching, Warwick Business School's Knowledge and Innovation Network and many more.