My weekly posts
Celebrating a small institution that was proper good — the Catweazle Club
Reflecting on my time at Oxford, I realise how much the Catweazle Club shaped me. It was a welcoming space where music, poetry and creativity flourished through genuine attention, encouragement and respect. Those evenings influenced not only my taste in music but also how I facilitate groups and what I value in bringing people together. Although the club has now closed, its spirit and lessons have stayed with me ever since. https://www.catweazleclub.co.uk/about-3
A wise perspective on building the capacity to act together in ‘whole systems’
I’ve been reflecting on Sandra Janoff’s paper on whole-system development. My key takeaway is that lasting systems change comes from building the capacity to act together before agreement exists, not simply improving collaboration or understanding complexity. Bringing different perspectives into genuine dialogue strengthens how systems learn, decide and adapt. For me, that’s one of the clearest and most practical definitions of meaningful systems change I’ve read in some time. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_an-instant-review-of-whole-system-development-activity-7478034297992491008-KRJw
‘Stop, collaborate and listen.’ Yes, I ended an interview about #localgovernmentreorganisation with Vanilla Ice – but also it’s a reasonable summary!
My conversation with Greg Campbell reinforced that the biggest challenge in local government reorganisation isn’t structures or savings – it’s leadership capacity. Councils need honest communication, trust, strong governance and confidence beyond a small inner circle, while keeping services running and preparing for change. Vesting day isn’t the finish line; it’s the start. The real opportunity is to bridge transition and transformation so new councils deliver better services, not just remain safe and legal. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_localgovernmentreorganisation-lgr-ugcPost-7477441205124030466-lNG3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
A… different… take on systems thinking?
I’m looking forward to Thursday’s free PSTA webinar with Phil Snelgrove on systems thinking and Theory of Constraints. Our recent conversation reinforced my view that public services often confuse activity with productivity, local efficiency with whole-system performance, and cost reduction with genuine improvement. I’m interested in what a constraint-based perspective adds when the real bottleneck is the relationship between finance, demand, eligibility and human need. It feels like a useful, rigorous challenge to how we measure and improve public services. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_psta-special-webinar-a-different-look-at-activity-7477616924009476097-Kmbw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
John Watters – Citizen Power: Re-imagining what it means to be a Citizen in a time of rupture. A vital contribution to the weave of right relationality.
I’m delighted to see John Watters’ Citizen Power published. It reinforces something I believe strongly: citizenship is more than a legal status or service relationship – it’s a practice of responsibility, agency and connection. Relational public services work best when they strengthen, not replace, citizen action. We should keep asking whether what we design increases people’s agency, capability and relationships, rather than creating greater dependence or disengagement. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_citizen-power-activity-7476320104725708800-xczH
Courses and events
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 for our September 2026 cohort: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
Free Webinar: A Different Look at Systems Thinking, with Goldratt UK
This webinar offers a fresh perspective on systems thinking, helping leaders see beyond individual issues to the patterns, constraints, and interactions that drive performance. You’ll discover a practical approach for navigating complexity, improving decision-making, and creating meaningful change by focusing on what is truly limiting results. Join us to explore how a systems-based view can unlock better flow, faster delivery, and more effective organisational performance. Register in advance, Thu 2 July 2026, 10:30 – 12:30 https://link.redquadrant.com/PSTAWebinarJuly26
smartCompass – our new AI-supported tool for AI for community-powered outcomes
Our new prototype smartCompass is a new, free tool to help commissioners, leaders, partners, and people working in public services see how their system is really working — and where to act next.Answer sixteen questions about a system you care about, and receive a personalised, AI-supported response by email. It helps you see strengths, blockers, patterns, and possible next moves. https://link.redquadrant.com/smartCompass
Compass v2 – comment on our new systems change tool
We’re now inviting comments on this beta new version of a systems change insight tool https://link.redquadrant.com/compassv2beta
Introducing the RedQuadrant Local Government Reorganisation hub
Local Government Reorganisation is coming fast. By April 2028, every new authority must be safe, legal, and fully operational. That means statutory officers secured, ICT cutovers rehearsed, services live, and residents experiencing seamless continuity. The RedQuadrant LGR Hub is the only model that guarantees readiness while embedding lasting capability. With a single accountable structure, governance at its core, and capability pillars across adults, children’s, SEND, ICT, finance, housing, and place, the Hub ensures no gaps, no surprises. Three outcomes, every time: Safe and legal on day one; Visible assurance and confidence in delivery; Future-ready capacity with transformation built in. Find out more now: https://www.redquadrant.com/lgrhub
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
Things I shared on socials:
Eco-sustainable agriculture practices through Mycoviruses
Wake-up Call: Rapid Increase in Human Fungal Diseases under Climate Change – PMC
National Library of Medicine (2024) Wake-up Call: Rapid Increase in Human Fungal Diseases under Climate Change – PMC
System Dynamics Society on LinkedIn
The Ruling Class Is Uncancelable
By Dave Sirota (2025) The Ruling Class Is Uncancelable
chosen path 