The company – trojanmice - comprises just the two of us – Peter Fryer and Paula Grant. Follow the links to find out more about us and to obtain copies of our CVs.
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Peter specialises in the area of learning organisations and complex adaptive systems, in particular, their application to businesses of all kinds. Such organisations have included Pfizer, The Industrial Society, DfES, and Glasgow Caledonian University as well as a wide range of smaller entities. For more information on this aspect of Peter’s work visit our trojanmice site. As well as consultancy in the specialised field of complexity he also undertakes more general consultancy including, senior level development, coaching and mentoring; economic development, economic and business research and evaluation; CD-Rom development; recruitment and selection; and general management development. Recently |
| he developed on behalf of the Learning Skills Council North Yorkshire the diagnostic process for their skills brokers. | |
He was the Chief Executive of Humberside Training and Enterprise Council (which included Humberside Business Link) until TECs were abolished in March 2001. As the TEC Chief Executive he had a passion for learning and studied the subject extensively. He has given numerous presentations on thinking and learning to a wide variety of audiences.
Other relevant experience includes;-
• Developing and running “in-company” development programmes
• Producing the detailed business plan for Thriving Bridlington to meet the Regional Development Agency’s content requirements
• Developing and delivering the capacity building programme for Thriving Bridlington
• Developing the Skills Broker model for North Yorkshire LSC
• Researching the various approaches to leadership and management training and development for North Yorkshire LSC
• The development, as part of a Performance Network of specialist consultants, of a new model of human learning
• Work for the Department for Education & Skills on the introduction of the matrix Standard for information, advice and guidance
• Producing interactive CD ROMs for clients
• Previous proactive member of the regional European structural fund programme management committees for Objective 2 & 3 programmes
• Several years experience of management and interview training with the Manpower Services Commission including the use of video recording
• Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts
• Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• Chair of Governors at Isaac Newton Secondary School
• Chair of Yorkshire and Humberside Assessment Ltd
On a personal level Peter lives in Hull and has two grown up daughters Vicki & Jenni and he spends his spare time on a variety of hobbies including model railways and stamp collecting.
Click here for Peter’s full CV
Click here for Peter’s short CV
What other say about Peter
“I have been exposed to Peter's fascinating and often challenging approaches to business organisation for many years now. He has stimulated my thinking in many different ways I have introduced many new approaches as a result. I have reformed the culture of my company and now regularly involve the workforce in all aspects of the business. This has created an environment that is welcoming to new people and to new ideas and in which change is accepted as both normal and necessary. Improvement programmes have been much more effective because they have been supported by the many rather than the few.
Above all Peter's biggest contribution has been to give us back our belief in each other.”
Tony Hailey, OBE
Managing Director, Swift Group
"Peter Fryer's work is like watching my favourite film. Every time I watch it again I see or realise something new which was always there but not brought to my attention, and I always wonder if it will happen next
time"
Clive Hook
Clearworth
“Common Purpose has engaged Peter Fryer as a key-note speaker on several occasions to ground participants on a broad theme of education. His input has always been proactive and stimulating. Peter challenges perceptions about the nature of learning in a way that is totally absorbing and thought provoking. His presentations are dynamic and inter-active, delivered in a style that effectively combines humour with authority in the subject. He skilfully blends anecdotes with theory in a way that is engaging and accessible. Peter is a natural orator and experienced communicator, equally at home in an academic environment as he is as an after dinner speaker.”
David Burnby
Programme Director, Common Purpose
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Paula joined trojanmice as a full-time Independent Consultant in November 2003. Her key strengths are in the role of facilitator for large events and small workshops and as a mentor providing one-to-one advice and guidance to business clients. Until recently she was Operations Manager at the Humber Forum Limited where her main responsibilities were to lead on all development aspects of the Humber sub regional action plan, to design and deliver a high-level Secretariat function and to manage a technical support team. These duties were fulfilled by the practical application of the principles of complexity theory. |
Paula also set up and facilitated various themed Action Groups of which the primary aim was to remove barriers to project delivery. While representing the Humber sub region on several working groups and partnerships, she delivered key presentations and took a proactive role in shaping the management structures and advising on operational issues. Prior to this, whilst working at the TEC Paula proactively engaged with sub regional partners on European Structural Fund programmes, which required leading the agenda on key Humberside local partnership events. When representing the regional TEC network on the National Working Groups, she was responsible for producing draft operating models for both regional and local delivery. Previous professional experience includes working in further and higher education on international staff and student exchange programmes including designing and tutoring European Studies courses and foreign language coaching. This involved her negotiating funding packages, creating, delivering and evaluating development schemes with a variety of training organisations in the European Union and beyond. In her free time Paula enjoys being with her two young sons, they go swimming together and enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits. She is also actively involved in local charity fund raising events via the boys’ school and out of school club. They all enjoy travelling especially to foreign countries where Paula has the opportunity to practice using her foreign language skills in French, German, Italian and Russian. Other relevant experience includes;- |
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- TDLB D32/33 assessor qualification
- Contributing practical implementation models for business support as part of the Yorkshire and the Humber working group and negotiating team for the current Objective 2 programme
- Contributing to the development of the current ESF co-financing model as part of the national working group
- Creating the concept and leading the project team for the development of an on line electronic project monitoring system for ERDF projects
- Masterminding the Humber sub regional action plan for economic development and regeneration for the Humber sub regional partners on behalf of Yorkshire Forward
- Presenting complex action plan concepts and contents to Chief Executives of public sector organisations, Leaders of local authorities, and company directors, translated in such a way as to show how the action plan can work in practice
- Presenting to various groups on practical project development techniques
- Designing and delivering technical support workshops relating to action plan contents, business plan development and project implementation
- Being a proactive member of the Humber Strategic Business Support Management Group representing the interests of the Humber Forum
- Briefing Humber Objective 2 Programme Monitoring Committee members
- Being a proactive member of the regional technical support working group
- Designing, developing and managing the Humber Trade Zone secretariat, developing project scoring criteria and ensuring compliance with Government Office and Yorkshire Forward guidelines
- Managing the Humber Objective 2 Programme Effectiveness Team and delivering regular briefing sessions
Click here for Paula’s full CV
Click here for Paula’s short CV
What other say about Paula
“Paula is an excellent facilitator of all types of events including workshops, one to one development and 360 degree appraisals. She is able to maintain the interest of the audience, gather feedback in a very constructive and positive way then summarise for the audience. Paula has the expertise to interpret the complex (and what may seem like bureaucratic rules) within the European Structural Fund programmes for a lay person like me to be able to easily understand. She has written many successful project papers for a variety of clients. I always enjoy working with Paula as she is very professional, challenging yet supportive in her approach and above all she is lively and has a sense of fun! Finally, Paula has an amazing ability to speak and coach in many different foreign languages including French, German, Italian and Russian.”
Patsy Smith MBE
Independent Consultant
"I was fortunate enough to work for 8 years with Humberside TEC in helping to develop their high performance culture based on complexity. One of the initiatives was the introduction of "upward" and 360-degree paperless, appraisee-led feedback processes which required the support of facilitators. Paula played a major role in the successful implementation of these processes. In particular, her commitment and enthusiasm encouraged others, especially at difficult times. Her willingness to embrace ambiguity, and work with it to create opportunities for change, made her an effective role model for others re the practical application of complexity theory to organisational change. She demonstrated a whole brain approach which included being clear in her objectives; a pragmatic approach to implementation issues; outstanding empathy and support for others; and ability to think strategically and see the "big picture". It was a real pleasure to work with Paula. She made a stimulating and successful contribution to the development of the TEC and its people"
Dennis Martin
The Herrmann Institute
“Paula is an energetic and supportive facilitator, and she brings lots of warmth and humour to her work with groups and individuals. As an internal facilitator in the TEC she consistently demonstrated that she walks the talk when it comes to self-responsibility and thinking differently. She continually looks for new and creative ways of seeing the world and challenging herself in terms of personal and professional development. As well as her great interpersonal and facilitation skills she is also adept at helping others making sense of complex systems and processes, which means her consultancy really adds value. Paula is also fun to be around!”
Amanda Dale
Life Coach
"Paula has worked with us closely at a strategic level in developing a sub regional action plan for the Humber. This has pulled the sub regional partners together in a best practice model for the Region. Paula's initiative, drive, positive approach and sense of humour have added much to the process. We continue to work with her and regard her as a valuable ally in the economic development of the region."
Don Stewart
Executive Director People & Skills Yorkshire Forward
