I have known Alistair for almost a quarter of a century and, whilst that might date us both, it’s a testament to his immense skills as a leader, mentor and coach that I am still using him (and his expertly aligned colleagues) to challenge myself and develop my current leadership team after all this time.
Alistair brings a breadth and depth of development capabilities that is drawn from his enviable personal experience and vast network. He gives of his time and insights openly, without reservation and with an authenticity that is uncommon to many in his field. Unlike many he is able to draw upon his own practical experiences and insights - as well as adeptly applying the theoretical in equal measure - but the outcomes are force multiplied as a result.
A defining quality of leadership is curiosity and Alistair remains insanely curious about people and unlocking their potential through methods that best suit them and their required or desired outcomes. This requires a level of empathy and insight that I have been privileged to experience first hand.
I would recommend Alistair and his colleagues without reservation.
Ian Cohen, Chief Product and Information Officer, Acacium Group
I have known Alistair in a professional capacity for well over a decade. Throughout that time Alistair has delivered value to myself, my team and the Aggregate Industries organisation in a number of ways.
Firstly, Alistair's networking and depth of contacts has proved invaluable from everything from transformation advice to architecture capability.
Secondly, Alistair's expertise in IT organisational structures has helped us understand options in a complex multinational layered IT organisation and helped us develop models for coping with ambiguity and the unexpected.
Thirdly, Alistair has coached a number of my management team and helped them progress at different stages of their trajectory. This has helped my team help themselves to become more rounded and effective as individuals and as team members.
In many ways the key factor with Alistair is trust. Successive and successful engagements have led to an almost guarantee of value delivery. Whilst Alistair's engagements can be challenging they are designed to force introspective thinking and decision making based on sound logic and required outcomes.
Mike Gibbons. CIO Aggregate Industries
Laing Russell helped us make very significant progress at pace. From making the business case for an Enterprise Architecture capability, building a clear, prioritised assessment of our current state, working with me and my c-level colleagues to shape our desired future state, developing the roadmap and then helping recruit the permanent architecture team and guide them through the first few months of operation. Great value.
COO, Kensington Mortgages Company
Having recently stepped up to be part of our CIO’s management team, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with the Laing Russell coach, Alistair Russell. Our focus has been to support my development as the leader of my own area of Business Systems and also as a full member of the CIO’s team. I have worked with Alistair for a year now and I found his coaching of tremendous value. The coaching has been instrumental in my growth and development as a leader, focusing in a number of key areas including engagement with stakeholders inside and outside of the organisation and development of my team. I am more than happy to recommend, Laing Russell and Alistair.
Head of Business Systems, Global Construction Sector Organisation
We have been working with Laing Russell on a programme of individual and team coaching this year. Laing Russell have been coaching me and my three senior managers over the last few months and the programme concluded with a team workshop. I have found my individual coaching has given me a different perspective on my team and has been valuable program to move my senior team forward. The recent team workshop was really useful and we got some tangible results, in many ways much more than I had expected. We have a clear focused plan to drive the changes we want to achieve in the next year, it is now in our hands to drive the changes forward and I for one am excited.
Regional CIO (UK and Asia), Global Aerospace and Defence Organisation
We engaged with Alistair and his team when looking for a partner to work with in shaping the Technology Service Operations Strategic Review. Alistair brought together a complementary team that worked with the local group to bring a blend of thought leadership, value based service focus and aligned values to deliver the right medium team approach whilst accelerating in year benefits. The team provided a good blend of skills and market understanding that brought key stakeholders together in a fact-based way whilst enabling a clear approach for implementation. On a more personal note, I have very much enjoyed working with both Alistair and Tony. You were both there in the moments that really counted. I particularly value your perspective and steady calm approach. Thank you.
Director Infrastructure and Operations, Major UK Charity
Just wanted to say thanks again for deft facilitation today. Before our session I was concerned that it may be difficult to engage some of our participants so I was really pleased at how engaged they all were. Great job!
Director, Software Solutions, Education Sector
We worked with Alistair Russell and his colleagues for over two years, they provided a powerful combination of consulting services for me, my senior team and our extended senior management team. Specifically, we have got great value from:
– Alistair’s regular, monthly participation as a “non-executive director” in my top team, advising and guiding our strategic development;
– independent assurance of our major programme to transform the organisation for the delivery of IT services across the university;
– combined facilitation and provision of subject management expertise in key areas as we have developed initiatives in such areas as performance metrics, value and the governance of risk;
– coaching and mentoring of key members of my senior team to deliver tangible leadership development.
What we appreciate most about working with Alistair and his team is their unique ability to apply their insight from extensive cross-sector experience with excellent consulting skills to be a “critical friend” for me and my senior team.
CIO, Leading Russell Group University