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  • Coaching
  • Consultancy
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  • Reflections
  • Funeral Celebrancy
  • Start a conversation

practical consultancy that creates real impact


I offer practical, experienced support for charities, CICs and purpose-led organisations navigating growth, change and complexity - strengthening leadership, governance and the way the organisation works day to day. 


I work with organisations across Newcastle and the North East with people who care deeply about their work and want things to be done well - but where things can feel complex, stretched or harder than they should be.


When that happens, it's not always clear what needs to change - just that something does.

And when teams are small and stretched, finding the time and headspace to step back, make sense of what's happening and decide on a clear way forward can be harder than it sounds.


I bring many years of experience as a senior leader, managing large and complex teams including at Newcastle University where my roles included:  

 

  • Director of Marketing & Development
  • Director of IT Service Delivery (Interim)
  • Head of Hospitality & Commercial Services
  • Head of Business Support & Innovation
  • Head of Work Based Learning & Employer Partnerships


My work is rooted in the realities organisations face - restructures, governance challenges and the day-to-day pressures of keeping things moving.  


Alongside my executive leadership career, I have extensive board-level experience as a Chair, Trustee and Director.

This means I understand organisational challenges from multiple perspectives:


  • Operational leadership
  • Executive leadership
  • Board oversight
  • Governance and accountability
     

 

That breadth of perspective is often particularly helpful during periods of organisational change or strategic decision-making.



If this feels familiar, you’re very welcome to start a conversation.

White icon of three people in a circle on a black background.

how I support organisations


I am often brought in when organisations sense something needs attention but are not yet sure what.


Sometimes that is governance.

Sometimes it is leadership capacity.

Sometimes it is organisational structure, decision-making or culture.


My role is to help leaders and boards see clearly what matters most, identify practical priorities and build proportionate solutions that will stand up over time.


I support organisations through periods of growth, change and complexity - helping leaders and boards create the clarity, structure and confidence they need to move forward.


Much of this work happens behind the scenes, alongside leaders and boards who need a trusted partner to help them think clearly, make decisions and turn plans into action. 


Recent work has included:


Leadership, governance and strategy


  • Supporting a charity to recruit its first Chief Executive, then providing interim fractional CEO support during the transition 
  • Supporting boards to strengthen governance, ways of working and decision-making 
  • Facilitating strategy workshops to help organisations agree priorities and direction 
  • Establishing clarity around roles and responsibilities through tools such as RACI frameworks 



Organisational development and infrastructure


  • Strengthening operational processes, policies and procedures 
  • Developing risk registers and supporting organisational readiness 
  • Reviewing IT arrangements, supporting cyber security audits and improving digital capability 
  • Preparing organisations for CRM implementation and new ways of working 


People, recruitment, and communications


  • Reviewing and rewriting job descriptions to support recruitment and organisational clarity 
  • Supporting recruitment, including senior appointments and maternity cover arrangements 
  • Reviewing HR approaches and updating policies 
  • Developing marketing plans and supporting clearer stakeholder communications



start a conversation

what consultancy with me offers


I focus on what will make the most meaningful, practical difference to the way your organisation works day to day.


I can help you with:


  • Governance clarity
    Clear roles, responsibilities and decision‑making structures that match the size and purpose of your organisation.
     
  • Operational structure
    Practical processes, handovers and workflows so people know what to do, when, and how.
     
  • Leadership support during change
    Calm, steady guidance to help you navigate restructures, new roles or organisational shifts. 


  • Fractional leadership support
    Working alongside leaders and boards in a fractional leadership capacity, offering experienced, steady support without the need for a permanent appointment.
     
  • Independent organisational insight
    A clear, impartial view of what’s working, what’s not, and what will make the biggest difference.
     
  • Business continuity and risk
    Strengthening resilience in small organisations where key-person risk is high.
     
  • Culture, communication and ways of working
    Support to create more clarity, confidence and connection in your team.


funded and supported consultancy routes

In some circumstances, organisations I work with may be able to access fully or partially funded consultancy through regional business support programmes, making it easier to get the right help at the point it’s most needed.

 

I’m an Expert in Residence with the North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC), supporting charities, CICs, social enterprises and other purpose‑led organisations to strengthen the foundations that help them run safely, clearly and sustainably.


I am a Registered Provider for NBSL’s Sunderland Business Support Fund and the North of Tyne Business Support Fund, helping businesses to improve their competitiveness.


Eligibility varies, and not all work is funded – I’m always happy to talk this through and help you understand what options might be available.


business support organisations

North East Business and Intellectual Property Centre logo
North of Tyne Business Support Fund Logo
South of Tyne Business Support Fund Logo

who I work with

charities

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

Registered charities with committed teams  who need a bit of help to run the organisation.

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

Small, mission‑focused teams doing big things with limited resources who need clarity, structure and practical support to keep moving forward.

small and medium‑sized organisations (SMEs)

social enterprises & community interest companies (CICs)

small and medium‑sized organisations (SMEs)

Organisations that have grown quickly and need clearer roles, better handovers or more robust ways of working.

founders and early‑stage leadership teams

founders and early‑stage leadership teams

small and medium‑sized organisations (SMEs)

People carrying a lot of responsibility who need a calm, experienced partner to bring clarity, structure and steady support.

boards and trustees

founders and early‑stage leadership teams

boards and trustees

Governance groups wanting clearer decision‑making, better oversight and confidence in their responsibilities, especially during change.

how I work

my consultancy approach


My approach is calm, practical and rooted in real organisational life. I listen carefully to understand what’s happening beneath the surface, help you make sense of the issues, and bring structure and clarity to situations that can feel tangled or heavy. I work in partnership with you — offering thoughtful challenge when it’s helpful and steady support when things feel pressured.


I focus on what will make the most meaningful, practical difference to the way your organisation works day to day. That might involve strengthening governance, clarifying roles and decision‑making, improving communication and ways of working, or supporting leaders through periods of change or uncertainty. Whatever the piece of work, my aim is to help people feel clearer, more confident and better able to move forward.

the experience I bring


  • governance and board experience as a chair, trustee and director
  • many years as a senior leader in complex organisations
  • management of large, multi‑service teams
  • extensive experience of restructures and change
  • governance, risk and decision‑making expertise
  • supporting boards, SLTs and founders
  • calm, steady leadership in high‑pressure environments


start a conversation

a typical situation I’m brought into


You might come to me when...


Your organisation is growing quickly and the structures that worked before no longer feel sufficient.

A new CEO or senior leader is joining and you need support through the transition.

Your board needs to step back, clarify priorities and strengthen how it works together.

A difficult workplace issue needs to be addressed with care and independence.


My role is to help organisations step back, see what matters most, and put proportionate foundations in place so the business can be run well – without adding unnecessary complexity.


Sometimes this work highlights the need for individual coaching alongside organisational support — giving leaders space to think clearly while changes are being made.

how consultancy works – the practicalities

how it works

the key stages

the key stages


Consultancy is shaped around what your organisation needs - whether that’s a focused piece of work, support during a period of change, or a calm, experienced partner to help you make sense of what’s happening and decide on a clearer way forward.


I start by understanding your context, your people and the realities you’re working with. From there, we shape a practical plan together and move at a pace that works for you.


My aim is always the same: to bring clarity, structure and steady leadership support so you can strengthen how your organisation works day to day and make confident, well‑considered decisions about what comes next.

the key stages

the key stages

the key stages

initial conversation

We'll have a short call to understand what you need and what’s going on in your organisation.


scope and plan

We'll develop a clear, realistic outline of purpose, approach, roles and intended outcomes - created collaboratively.


workshops or 1:1 sessions

These may involve leaders, trustees or teams depending on the work. Sessions are calm, structured and focused on what will make the biggest difference.


recommendations and actions

Clear, practical guidance rooted in real organisational experience — not theory. You’ll know what to do next and why it matters.


ongoing support

Check‑ins, coaching or further advice as needed to help embed any changes and keep things moving forward.

what my consultancy clients say

if speaking to one of my clients would help, I’m happy to arrange it, just let me know

  ⭐ clarity structure and confident decisions

“Kay brings clarity, calm authority and thoughtful challenge. She helped us strengthen our governance, improve our decision‑making and feel more confident about the future of our organisation.” 

 Non‑Executive Director, Social Enterprise


⭐ steady support through complex change

“Kay supported us through a complex period of change with steadiness, kindness and clear direction. Her insight into people, leadership cand operations was invaluable for helping us move forward.”  CEO, Charity Sector


⭐ practical improvements with real impact

“Kay helped us bring structure to the way we work and make practical changes that have had a tangible impact day to day. Her combination of strategic thinking and humanity is rare and incredibly valuable.”

 Programme Director, Community Organisation


⭐ calm guidance and organisational clarity

“Kay listens deeply and helps you see issues clearly. Her guidance supported us to make well‑considered decisions and move through uncertainty with confidence.” 

 Senior Leader, SME

fees and getting started


Consultancy is tailored to your organisation, the scope of the work and the outcomes you're aiming for. I’ll always be clear about pricing before we begin, and I’m happy to talk through options to find an approach that feels right for you and the people you’re supporting.


If you’d like to explore how I could support your organisation, you’re welcome to book a short, no‑obligation call.

start a conversation

 Forster Jones Consulting Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (14076236)

Our registered address is in Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3BU

 

kay@forsterjonesconsulting.com



Trustee & Director, Humanists UK | Chair, Eating Distress North East | Humanists UK Funeral Celebrant |  BIPC North East Expert in Residence  


Connect with me on LinkedIn | Facebook | Forster Jones Consulting (Google) | Kay Jones Humanist Funeral Celebrant (Google)




Serving Newcastle upon Tyne, the wider North East, and national clients



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