My weekly posts
Too often, demand management becomes a euphemism for delay,
Systems thinking interest group conference productive conversations and apprenticeship
I’m in Sheffield today speaking on better conversations and systems thinking with brilliant civil servants. I’m also proud to launch our new Level 7 Apprenticeship—designed for senior leaders to lead commissioning and outcomes in complexity. It’s practical, powerful, and fully levy-funded. What world should public services be shaping next? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_government-productiveconversations-complexity-activity-7345700232241790995-SKgr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Sixteen years ago, something unusual happened – a consultancy built on curiosity and purpose was born, challenging the notion that public sector change is slow or silent.
RedQuadrant is 16! Sixteen years ago, we set out to build something different—restless, human, and purposeful. We’ve learned, adapted, and supported public services through complexity and change. I’m proud of what we’ve built and grateful for everyone who’s shared the journey. What does the public sector need from us now? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_redquadrant-is-16-sixteen-years-ago-something-activity-7345802670504378368-36IN?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Courses and events
Financial Times expert survey on management consultancies – vote now!
If you’re a consultant then you can vote in the peer survey to find Britain’s leading consultancy. RedQuadrant has done well for the past eight years. Usually, we’ve been listed in the public and social sector, organisation and change, people and performance, or in strategy. https://engage.statista-research.com/index.php?r=survey/index&sid=358489&lang=en.
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It’s available for free via our Teachable site – try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
This September – Outcomes-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction
We’ve announced new dates for our introduction to commissioning course at the PSTA, perfect for early career commissioners in police, justice, health, care, children’s services, or other commissioning disciplines. Register your interest now. https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925
Next National Commissioning Academy
We’re building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy – our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
iNetwork, Making Savings in the Public Sector. 8 July.
Join iNetwork for a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and hear best practice on making savings in the public sector. Speakers include Benjamin Taylor of the PSTA, Zakki Ghauri (City of London), Digital Care Hub, Engage Process, David Willis (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative). Register now! https://lnkd.in/eFSkuKAK
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Work in England or Wales? Want to develop your systems thinking skills? Sign up now for the next cohort of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship — Cherith Simmons, with experts from SCiO (including me). It’s funded by the apprenticeship levy to the end of the year. https://app.sli.do/event/pJLVg5fZ4NZocjSi8uEqim
SysPrac25 – The Systems Thinking Practitioner Conference.
3-4 September, Milton Keynes. SCiO, The Open University, and the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) are excited to invite you to SysPrac25 — the essential conference for systems thinking practitioners, learners, and leaders. Join us on 3rd and 4th September 2025 at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes for two dynamic days of insight, interaction, and innovation. Book your place now: www.sysprac25.org
iNetwork, Making Savings in the Public Sector.
Virtual, Tuesday 8th July, 10:00-11:30 AM. Join iNetwork for a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and hear best practice on making savings in the public sector. Speakers include Benjamin Taylor, Zakki Ghauri (City of London), Digital Care Hub, Engage Process, David Willis (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative). Register now! https://lnkd.in/eFSkuKAK
Things I shared on socials:
Local Government Outcomes Framework: Call for feedback
The government has launched the Local Government Outcomes Framework, a new approach to outcome-based accountability for upper tier councils in England designed to empower them as place leaders. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/geoffwild1_local-government-outcomes-framework-call-activity-7346574231846985728-OUBk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Quantum Bayesianism
I must confess I sniggered when I heard this name. It sounds like a deliberately invented rationalism squared joke… also known as QBism (of course). Not sure about the science myself but / and it feels very cybernetic to me… there are ‘many worlds’ they are just the worlds each of us live in. And with a major antecedent turns out to be Frank Ramsey, therefore a link to Wittgenstein, no wonder! Also there’s a claim that ‘the first quantum Bayesian was von Neumann – truly there were only about 30 people in the 1950s. https://wp.me/p8QJZw-4IG
Ep 342: Vitalik Buterin Fights the Dragon-Tyrant
The Seen and the Unseen – hosted by Amit Varma. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_ep-342-vitalik-buterin-fights-the-dragon-tyrant-activity-7346267049892978689-Vo9t?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
UWC and IB Collaborate on New Complexity Module for International Baccalaureate (Kupers, 2017)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Ap
Murmurations Journal of Transformative Systemic Practice
Professor JASON ARDAY will be in conversation with Dr Gail Simon and Dr Monica Whyte at the 5th AUTISM AND SYSTEMIC PRACTICE CONFERENCE ONLINE 10th & 11th JULY. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/murmurations_5th-autism-systemic-practice-conference-activity-7345341747251605505-7Utz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
The Liberated Method
Rethinking public service. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-liberated-method-rethinking-public-activity-7345344737068916737-7Yf3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 