Tom Holton

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT TOM HOLTON

I specialise supporting CEOs undertaking multi-year Transformation Journeys that change the state of their organisations by an order of magnitude, both in terms of impact and how it feels to work there. I have guided, coached, and supported CEOs (Presidents, Perm Secs, Chief Constables) undertaking Transformation Journeys at Home Office, Open Society Foundations, Scope, West Midlands Combined Authority, Telenor, Amnesty International, NHS, Defra, TfL, Practical Action, UKHSA, Gloucestershire Constabulary, ActionAid, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, English Heritage, Operation Orphan and more. If you are a curious leader with ambition to lead your organisation to brilliance, then we should talk. I am happy to listen and provide advice, reflections and learnings from my experience at no cost. My personal passion for this work stems from the frustrating reality that most large mature organisations could be so much better: more effective, enjoyable and fulfilling places to work. We feel this in our bones, yet rarely are people’s passion, potential and real-world impact anything like fully unlocked. This better world can be achieved through better leadership – to dramatic and positive effect – and it’s my mission to find leaders rising to this challenge and help them succeed. My methods are part-science, part-art. Transformational change is always driven by 5 fundamental factors (that are usually all missing): connection to Purpose, working to Vision, credible Team leadership, the creative Participation of all, and Self-growth. Unlocking these 5 is an art – all brilliant organisations are alike; every mediocre organisation is mediocre in its own way. I tailor my work to the unique challenges, personalities, ambitions, histories and strengths of my clients. In practice this means a monthly cycle of low cost, high impact work coaching CEOs, gelling teams, challenging and growing leaders, usually for 2-4 years – the time transformational (emergent, complex, adaptive) change takes.I currently work in Deloitte UK’s Leadership practice and have broad prior experience inside many organisations of all sectors and stripes: Group CIO, Credit Derivatives pricing, Change Director, Timeshare sales, UK Vineyard Manager, Commercial & Contract management, Consultant, pig farmer. These experiences have helped me understand the tenets of what it takes to inspire and lead hundreds or thousands of people to give their best and make their organisation and the world better. I’m still learning and applying these perspectives as best I can in my work day by day.