Creating Critical and Reflexive Leaders

Who We Are

Dr Steve Chase

I was born in Leeds and educated at the King's School, Pontefract and the University of Leeds. I joined the Royal Air Force in 1973 through the University Cadetship Scheme and rose to the rank of Group Captain. I served at a number of locations at home and overseas in appointments which included Personal Staff Officer to the Air Member for Personnel, Officer Commanding Administrative Wing, Royal Air Force Bruggen and Deputy Director Personnel Management (policy).

I left the Royal Air Force in April 1997 to join a policing organisation as Head of Human Resources. I was Chair of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Police Forum for 3 years between 2001 and 2004 and became Chair of the HR Leaders in Policing Network in 2009. My professional interests include organisational design, workforce productivity, personal energy management and coaching.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I gained my Masters Degree from the Open University in 1996 and I was awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration at Sheffield Hallam University in October 2007 in recognition of a programme of research entitled 'A reflexive approach to the critical interpretation of employment tribunal judgements'. I was appointed Visiting Fellow to the Faculty of Organisation and Management at Sheffield Hallam University (now Sheffield Business School) in April 2008. I contribute to the work of the school on subjects including leadership, organisation theory, research philosophies and methods, discourse analysis and the supervision of doctoral level students.

I am married to Jenny and we have three children, Stephanie, Mark and David. I retain a lifelong interest in sport, particularly rugby and football. I am a Rugby Football Union qualified coach and an Aston Villa Football Club season ticket holder. I now maintain my fitness through running, including the occasional marathon. In my quiet time, I am an avid reader of political and historical biographies and enjoy listening to most kinds of popular music.

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Dr Caroline Cole

I am a Change Professional with significant experience in business, service and cost improvement, recovery, commercial tendering, mergers, OD, organisational change and the bespoke design and delivery of strategic and operational solutions to realise corporate and individual development goals in the public, private and third sectors in the UK and overseas.

Throughout my career I have held a number of Executive and Director Positions in large UK and International Financial Service organisations. I spent 17 years in a variety of management roles with the Nationwide Building Society, implementing several significant change projects during that time. Moving to a corporate role with Unum Limited I was responsible for the design and development of a major organisational restructure following an international merger. After that I moved to a corporate role with the Yorkshire Building Society and was responsible for a number of organisation restructuring and change projects across the Group. In particular, I developed the organisational change model for the Group leading to significantly improved delivery of the Group's strategic change portfolio.

I now work with business leaders in the public, private and third sectors, where I specialise in strategic business, service and cost improvement, leadership and the development of people. My experience of providing positive impact through constructive challenge, energy, focus, new ideas and change wisdom continues to enable many individuals take their ambitions to a new dimension, identify win-win opportunities and make bold informed decisions about their immediate and future plans.

I have an MBA and a Doctorate in Business Administration specialising in Emotions and People Strategies during Strategic and Organisational Change from Sheffield Hallam University. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a qualified member of the CIPD, the IoD, and the Association of Coaching. In 2008 I was appointed as a Visiting Fellow to the to the Faculty of Organisation and Management at Sheffield Hallam University (now Sheffield Business School) where I am writing and where I supervise Masters Students and individuals undertaking professional doctorates and seeking to make a difference to management practice. I provide thought leadership and group facilitation on subjects including leadership, organisational theory, emotions in business and research philosophies and methods in professional practice.

I am married to Mark and we have a wonderful family; Arthur, our energetic Black Lab and our two cats, Alfie and Albert. In my "quieter" time I enjoy dingy sailing, hiking, golf, and skiing.

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Dr. Oliver Couch

Oliver Couch - click to enlargeI was born in London. I joined the Foreign Office in London in 1974 and have worked in a variety of central and regional Government Departments in London, Nottingham and Sheffield in management and leadership roles, in policy areas, personnel and operations.

In 1998, I joined what is now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in Sheffield working on various projects in the adult skills arena. Before that, I worked for the Government Office in Nottingham as Head of Personnel and Chair of the Government Office's national personnel network. I am a reviewer of high risk projects for the Office of Government Commerce, looking at major projects across Government.

I gained my MBA and Doctorate of Business Administration at Sheffield Hallam University and was appointed a Visiting Fellow to Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University in 2008. I teach there and at other Universities and supervise masters and doctoral students. I specialise in leadership, organisation theory, and research philosophies and methods.

I am married to Jacki and we have two children, Eleanor and Duncan. I love sport, particularly association football: I am a fully qualified football coach, Chairman of Chesterfield Junior Blues Football Club, and a Council Member of the Derbyshire County FA.

In time of stress, or at any other time, I read P. G. Wodehouse and Raymond Chandler and listen to Dylan and Sibelius.

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