With effect from 1st January 2022 I am no longer carrying our general consultancy work, though I have left the contents of this page live as it contains information about previous activity which has helped informed my approach to delivering Outcome Based Accountability training workshops which is now the sole focus of my work.
My consultancy work is informed by the same values as my facilitation role where I aim to bring impartiality and clarity to situations where I feel through my experience I can add value. My approach is informed by my experience of what works (and what doesn’t) and a willingness and ability to observe and listen. I follow a logical methodology from recording an objective appraisal of what I learn from interviews and desk research to formulating practical recommendations to improve client outcomes and management efficiency.
My consultancy interests stem from 20 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector and subsequent work in neighbourhood renewal specialising in community empowerment and engagement. I was accredited as a Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor (NRA) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 (taken over from 2006 by the Department of Communities and Local Government) until the phasing out of the scheme in December 2008. I was subsequently appointed as a Local Improvement Advisor (the successor role to NRAs) on a three year contract which expired in 2011. I was appointed an Associate Consultant for the Local Government Improvement and Development Agency (LGID) in December 2008 and for many years had an ongoing working relationship with the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA).
Examples of consultancy assignments I have undertaken include:
Evaluations: Utilising a variety of evaluation techniques to establish performance measures based on the quantity and quality of management and service delivery and fundamentally, quantifying the benefit to the service users. Clients include:
- Hull Community and Voluntary Services (review of management and governance)
- South Yorkshire Open Forum (for the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber (Objective One programme)
- Stronger Together in East Middlesbrough (Neighbourhood Management Project)
- Voluntary Action Sheffield (Vulnerable People Project)
Voluntary and Community Sector: Prior to becoming freelance in 2002, experience working in the voluntary sector in community business and infra-structure support roles has helped inform consultancy assignments looking at the contribution made by the voluntary and community sector to (amongst other things) the regeneration and renewal agenda. Examples of work completed include:
- Learning the Lessons : A review of the Voluntary and Community sector contribution to the Objective One programme in South Yorkshire)
- Blyth Valley District Council: Review of voluntary and community sector infrastructure provision in Blyth Valley
- London Borough of Waltham Forest (for Renaisi Consulting): reviewing voluntary and community sector infra-structure support
Outcome Based Accountability™: To complement the Outcome Based Accountability™ (OBA) training I have developed, I have carried out consultancy assignments to support Local Authorities and Government Departments on developing Outcome Frameworks and Implementation strategies. Examples include:
- Essex County Council: Helping to inform the development of an Outcomes Framework as part the transformation strategy
- North East Lincolnshire Council: Developing an Outcomes Framework and advising on outcome design and choice of indicators
- Dorset County Council: Input on design of the Council’s Outcome Framework
- Northern Ireland Policing Board/Department of Justice: Input on guidelines and reporting templates for Policing and Community Safety Partnerships across Northern Ireland
- Fermanagh and Omagh Community Planning Partnership: Development of Community Plan and reporting guidelines
VCS and Community Engagement: Government focus on voluntary and community sector engagement in strategic planning and the community empowerment agenda has been an area of particular interest for me. My consultancy work in this area has focused on the governance of partnership bodies and mechanisms to ensure communities are engaged in the decisions that affect them. Examples include:
- Aylesbury New Deal for Communities (Southwark, South London): Review of community development and support needs following redevelopment
- Blackpool Borough Council (Review of the voluntary and community sector engagement in Local Area Agreement negotiation process)
- Burngreave New Deal for Communities (Sheffield): Review and report on resident board member engagement and election
- Crosby Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder (Scunthorpe): Advice on governance structure and resident engagement
Governance: Advising on appropriate management and legal structures for partnerships and not-for-profit organisations working in partnership with Charlie Cattell. Research and Writing: I have also been engaged by clients to research examples of good practice and write up findings for publication. Examples include:
- National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA): “Anatomy of a Merger” An account of the merger between all five voluntary sector infrastructure support organisations in Cumbria in 2007. A merger on this scale is unprecedented in the sector and demonstrates how co-operation between agencies can benefit service users and provide equity of provision across a largely rural area.
- Government Office East Midlands: Renewal.net case studies: I was commissioned to research and write up eight examples of good practice in neighbourhood renewal in the East Midlands region as a resource for regeneration practitioners
Philip Houlden
Justices' Clerk, Humber Division
David assisted with some important work in relation to how best to engage with residents and community groups. His knowledge and skill was a vital part of establishing that aspect of my project which needed to be handled carefully and sensitively
Chris Simpson
(Previously) Head of Community Regeneration and Culture, Blyth Valley Borough Council
David was a great help to us in Blyth Valley in carrying out a review of the VCS infrastructure support in the area. He has extensive knowledge of working in the sector and his final report helped us map out a way forward.
Carol Cooper-Smith
Director, Barnsley Development Agency
I have worked with David Burnby on numerous occasions and on very different subject areas, eg LEGI, workforce development, social enterprise. His facilitation skills are excellent and he has a real talent for involving people and bringing out fresh ideas. We’ve been particularly impressed with his work on Outcome Based AccountabilityTM.
Jenny Gavin-Allen
North Lincolnshire Council,
Working with David Burnby to embed Outcome Based AccountabilityTM within the Acorns Neighbourhood Management initiative has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Under David’s expert tutelage, residents and service providers have worked together with the team to develop a common vision, with clear outcomes, indicators and performance measures that we all understand and can share in achieving together.
David Hewitt
City Performance Officer, Corporate Policy Unit, Sheffield City Council
I was impressed by the way David tailored an excellent facilitation skills course to our requirements. It was full of useful techniques we can take away and use. It was also helpful that David clearly understood the wider context in which Local Authorities work so that he could use examples that were meaningful to us. Recommended without reservation!
Dr Ian Kelly
Chief Executive, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce
David’s passion and enthusiasm is what makes his work as facilitator such a success. He is great fun to work with and his preparation and insight tease out all the key issues under discussion.
Steve Brennan
Chief Finance Officer, NHS North Kirklees CCG
David worked with us to introduce the OBA approach to our senior clinical leaders and managerial staff. This invaluable session struck a chord with us in terms of how we can make a big impact on improving the health and social care for our population with the scarce resources we have at our disposal.
Jackie Wright
Haven Project Manager, Goodwin Development Trust
Our confidence [in you] was not misplaced at all. Already we have improved communication and understanding within the team which is great. Thank you for your understanding and excellent handling of both the issues and us as individuals on the day. Very positive feedback has been received from all members of the team on the day.
Rikki Arundel
,
Whenever I attend an event that David is facilitating I know it will be a lively and interesting meeting. He has immense knowledge of the voluntary and public sectors, always up to date with the ever changing regulations and has a remarkable ability to help everyone at a meeting get the most from it. I highly recommend him
Nick Warren
Chief Executive (Retired), Voluntary Action Sheffield
I have worked with David on a number of occasions in recent years and appreciate his skills at facilitating focussed discussion within a diverse group of individuals, analysing complex data and providing the tools for effective decision-making.
Ian Burbidge
(Previous) Policy & Performance Manager, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk
David has brought a fresh approach and a sense of humour to our partnership working, helping us cut through the talk to get at the actions we need to take to make things better in our area. As a facilitator he is always highly rated by delegates.
Becky Clarke
Health Trainer Service Manager, Hull Health Trainer Service, (NHS Hull)
David planned and facilitated a team away day for us in the middle of service and team change management. His advice proved to be invaluable in terms of management objectives being achieved and he gauged the sessions just right. I am both pleased and surprised by how the team dynamics changed following this day. Five months on and the team are positive about further developments to the service and working together
Nick Pontone
Previous Manager, Hull Business Forum
David’s knowledge and facilitation skills have helped bring our business forum meetings alive. His blend of audience engagement, incisive questions and good humour has consistently been a major factor in the success of our events.
Victoria Bissett
Previous Director, Artlink Centre for Community Arts
David is a fantastic facilitator, he is creative and intellegent in his approach and has a genuine care and consideration for you (the client) and for all taking part and experiencing the event
Russ Waterman Ma MCMI ABCI
Manager, Hull Youth Justice Service, Hull City Council
Working in law enforcement and facing the prospect of integrating other public service personnel into the wider policing family long before it became a buzz word could have been a headache without the expertise of David and his team. The training and exercising of leadership and partnership skills was unbeatable and had an immediate and positive effect on our new teams putting them at the forefront of partnership working
Kevin Curley
Chief Executive (Retired), NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action)
A top quality facilitator and adviser, David works from a strong values base and always delivers on his promises. Highly recommended.
Professor Marjorie Mayo
Professional and Community Education, Goldsmiths, University of London
David is one of the most effective and inspiring facilitators that I have ever come across. He has the most imaginative and engaging way of working with groups, providing the knowledge that participants need whilst stimulating their interest and enthusiasm. David combines an apparently relaxed style with the most demanding professional standards – highly recommended.
Nathan Elvery
Chief Executive, West Sussex County Council
Thank you for the session, it has ignited my organisation and has come at the right time as we plan for the challenges that lay ahead for our organisation, no different to the rest of local government but we are having to change our thinking. The session had very positive feedback and I have already had a list of volunteers to take this forward.
Ian McGregor
General Manager, Tees Valley Leisure
I was involved in David’s Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) 2 day course. From what was expected to be a very complex matter upon building strategies to influence outcomes across a broad population, David managed to make the journey simple, straightforward and practical, turning talk into action. I’d advocate businesses adopting OBA and suggest that people should make contact with David to find out more.
Liz Richardson
Research Fellow, IPEG (Institute for Political and Economic Governance), University of Manchester
David is one of the most knowledgeable and inspiring co-trainers I’ve worked with who is able to give people that ‘light bulb’ moment and offer them real tools for skills development.
Kim McLaughlin
Head of Community Planning and Performance, Fermanagh & Omagh Council
I just wanted to take a moment again to thank you for delivering today’s session and for the work that you put in with us to pull together the programme and to support us in improving our scorecards – its been invaluable to us. I hope to be able to engage your support further as we work towards a new Corporate Plan for the Council over the coming months which we aim to align closely to the Community Plan and to take forward using OBA. (February 2019)
Tony Kluge
Planning and Partnerships Manager, ABMU Local Health Board, Swansea Locality
The training provided by David was well put together and thought out, resulting in an engaged group of senior management from across a range of organisations in the city. The course was pitched confidently and generated a great deal of discussion; whilst not being too technical, it assumed a relevant level of understanding from the audience.
Pete Chilvers
Chief Executive, SDSA
We have worked with David for several years in a number of leadership development programmes. David’s contribution is now one of the first onto the drawing board of any new programme design as his presentation around leadership for outcomes is always totally relevant, challenging and well-received. His presentation of OBA/RBA serves as a powerful reminder of the core purpose of public service.