With effect from 1st January 2022, I am no longer carrying out general facilitation assignments, but have left the content of this page live as it contains information those seeking a facilitative approach might find of interest.
I have over 30 years’ experience of helping groups make decisions as a group leader, a chair, and a facilitator. Since 2002, as a freelance facilitator I have worked with a broad range of strategic partnerships, local authorities, voluntary and community groups, NHS bodies, regeneration partnerships and government departments. Whilst the context of the issues and the size of the groups vary considerably, the principles I employ and the values that inform them are the same.
So when would you use an independent facilitator? In short, in situations where a group of people have to reach consensus on a matter of some importance where all the participants have a stake in the outcome. This could be at a planning workshop, a board retreat, a public consultation conference or a partnership ‘away day’. The facilitator does not have a stake in the outcome or have any power in the decision making process. A facilitator would not be used when the outcome of a meeting is pre-determined or to steer a group towards a particular solution. The value of the independent facilitator is her or his impartiality and ability to concentrate on the process of collaborative working rather than the outcome itself.
Why consensus? The parliamentary way of reaching a group decision is to debate the arguments for and against a proposal and seek a vote to establish the majority view. The debate is managed by a Chair, usually structured around a set of rules or “standing orders” culminating in a vote. This type of decision making has its place, but in situations where everyone has a stake in the outcome (the minority as well as the majority), it is flawed. The process tends to be adversarial and polarises the discussion into being “right” or “wrong” (“for” or “against”) with little room for manoeuvre in the middle ground. It is necessary to strive towards a better quality decision. Consensus decision making is based on the principle that everyone owns part of the truth. Through a process that enables everyone to contribute their part of the truth in the most appropriate way there is greater ownership for the final decision and, most importantly, a greater will to carry it out.
But why have an independent facilitator? Reaching consensus in a group can be a time consuming and frustrating process. It can be characterised by confusion and misunderstanding. Some participants are more articulate and confident than others: some struggle to express themselves and can be easily intimidated. Discussion can go off at a tangent and focus lost. Old agendas can surface and conflicts occur. These are the normal dynamics groups experience when trying to be inclusive in solving a difficult problem. It can be uncomfortable, awkward and demoralising. Yet it is the diversity of opinions and the introduction of new thoughts and ideas that stimulates creative solutions to challenging issues. What is often seen as destructive behaviour in groups can, if managed well, be harnessed into constructive outcomes.
What is the facilitator’s Role? My role as the facilitator is to provide structure from which to make sense of this chaos and shine a light through the fog to navigate the group towards shared agreement and practical solutions. Using intuition born of experience, an understanding of group dynamics and some proven tools and techniques, my role is to maximise the potential of the group by enabling participants to engage in their own way and at their own pace. In short, to enable groups achieve their best thinking.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.