Here's what some of our clients have said about Cygnet.

Large Commercial

Rene Olivieri, Managing Director, Blackwell Publishers Ltd:
In the year following our two-year Management Development Programme with Cygnet our profits trebled; I am sure that there is a connection between the two.'

Norma Green, Personnel Manager, SEC Ltd:
'Five years ago we realised within SEC that we had a considerable gap in the management skills available. This was especially true amongst up and coming managers but by working in partnership with Cygnet we have successfully introduced several management development initiatives. The benefits are apparent not only in the success of the business but also in employee motivation and retention. During this period the advice and support SEC have received from Cygnet has been invaluable and I look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship."

Smaller owner/MDs

Julia Key:
'Best investment in my business in 11 years.'

Robert Deacon:
'It was the helicopter effect - it enabled me to step back, it was mind refreshing and mind sharpening.'

Jon Taylor:
'Each session has provided deep insights into running the business better.'

Jon Bridgland:
'I have learned a huge amount about myself and how I work with others - first class course.'

Diane Waterhouse:
'For the first time in a 14 year career I have learned the theory to management skills - a huge confidence builder.'

Voluntary

John Broadhead, Chief Executive, Wrekin Housing Trust: 'Cygnet have worked on a number of occasions with our Board and Senior Managers and been instrumental in helping us clarify our vision and strategic direction as well as stimulating us in our leadership and management practice.'

Sue Kaemena, HR Director, The Children's Trust (The Children's Trust is Winner of Best Charity to Work For at the UK Charity Awards 2005). Sue comments: 'The Management Development programme and associated workshops run by Cygnet were instrumental in some of the cultural changes we have been able to make over the past few years, culminating in the honour of these awards. The Cygnet team not only delivered the programme in a professional manner but the team also developed very good relationships with Staff here at the Trust.'

Stewart Fergusson - Managing Director, Touchstone Housing Association: 'We have used Cygnet in a number of ways within Touchstone, and have found their facilitation and training to be invaluable. Our first contact was during some of the changes in working practice we introduced in 1996. They worked with our regional managers and teams in the successful management of that change. Since then, they have been involved on various occasions and helped us to manage several additional changes. They have also run a year long management development programme for some of our housing managers, which allowed some of the participants to acquire a Chartered Management Institute qualification, and more importantly significantly helped them in their jobs.

In addition, they helped facilitate the joint meeting of the boards of Midland Area and Touchstone which led on to the formation of Keynote, and went on to be involved with the join executives as they began to plan strategy for the new group.'

Charles Clayton Executive Director World Vision, commenting on Cygnet's work with the senior management team: ' We had a Directors meeting last Thursday and every one of us made a much improved contribution to decisions. There was a general feeling that the team is changing gear and we have been (constructively) self aware. We even managed to come to decisions about our appraisal scheme!'

Public

Annie Kimblin, Head of Training and Development Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, NHS Trust: 'Working with us as well as for us Cygnet have challenged us to think more creatively about the way forward and helped change and develop our approach to the delivery of leadership and management development opportunities.

By helping us think more clearly about our vision for the future and by working alongside us as we turn our vision into a reality, we now have a series of bespoke leadership development programmes that help and enable managers to develop their personal effectiveness as people and health care professionals.'

Angela Joinson - Head Teacher Management Development, Oxon LEA: 'Cygnet has worked closely with Oxfordshire LEA to provide an extended development programme for new head-teachers within the authority. This programme is currently in its fifth year. Cygnet has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and commitment throughout this period. More recently Cygnet has worked with a number of city schools involved in the reorganisation from a three-tier to a two-tier system, tailoring their support and development to the needs of the individuals involved.'

Raj Patel, Leicester City Council:'Encompass 360 has been welcomed with exceptional enthusiasm by senior managers who have found it extremely helpful as a development tool.'