Meet the team

We are a networked business of four directors with a core team of associates and over 30  talented and values aligned colleagues, which we can call upon to meet any skills or experience needed, to suit the client and project requirement.

LIZ CROSS – founder and managing director Specialises in: Strategy, growth, transformation, coaching and governance About: Liz has an exceptional track record of delivering high-impact and sustainable change in executive, non-executive and consultancy roles, bringing breakthrough thinking and fresh energy to strategic work with organisations in the commercial and social sectors. Her ability to create rapport, trust and insight in the shortest of timescales has given her a positive reputation for working with leaders and teams to create transformational strategies, improve performance and develop their personal and company impact.  In addition, her work in leadership, governance, culture change and group structure development is of particular note. Regularly engaged as a keynote speaker and award judge, and advising and consulting with leaders at the highest level, Liz is proud to have contributed to initiatives that have led to real change in the UK. Liz’s experience is supported by training and qualifications including BSc (Psychol), GMBPS, MBA, qualified psychometric test user – aptitude and personality. Current appointments:  Chair of the Blackburne House Group, Vice Chair of Liverpool Women’s Hospital Foundation Trust, Chair of CIAO (Coaching Inside and Out), Vice Chair of St Mary’s CE Primary School and regional board member of the Common Purpose Advisory Board. NEWS ARTICLE: Greater Manchester Business Week: ‘A Coffee with…. Liz Cross’ : “Create a vision, trust others to complete it…”

LIZ ALLEN – director Specialises in: Social, economic and environmental impact About:  With much respect from both the public and voluntary sectors, Liz has a reputation for creating and developing social enterprises that deliver change in communities; working with enterprises to deliver and manage public sector contracts; and for delivering highly effective social impact measurement. Liz has a first degree in Business and Leisure Management and a Master’s degree in Social Enterprise, as well as being a qualified and experienced social accountant and auditor with excellent knowledge and proven practice in the field of social impact reporting.  A strong advocate of corporate social responsibility, Liz encourages clients to find effective ways to tell the story of their organisations and measure their social impact.  Also an experienced trainer, she has delivered social impact measurement awareness sessions to many groups representing the public, private and social sectors.  Liz will transform creative ideas into realistic deliverable solutions which grow company value and contribute to social changes. Current appointments:  Chair at 42nd Street; community trustee at Liverpool Student Union; director at the Social Audit Network and adviser to the W+ social impact standard.

MAGS PORTER – director Specialises in: Leadership development, organisational development and coaching. About:  With formal qualifications in education and training management, Mags has a track record as a manager and leader of individuals and teams, and for developing those whose role it is to help others deliver.  She also has a wealth of experience coaching and providing insight to executive and non-executive directors and for The Connectives, takes the lead on delivering development solutions for leaders with strategic and operational focus.  Starting her career with the civil service, she then worked with Manchester Airport and as deputy chief executive of an award winning social enterprise group before becoming an organisational and leadership development consultant in a wide variety of sectors and at many levels.  Mags has Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Training Management qualifications. Current appointments: Chair of staffing committee at Helsby High School, secretary of national charity CACH (Children Adopted from China).

ANDREA DEARY – director Specialises in: Finance, strategy and transformation About:  Andrea is an FCCA qualified accountant with a strong senior leadership track record as well as consultancy experience.  She brings extensive experience of delivering large scale and sustainable transformation to the team, supporting boards developing their own strategies and working through challenging relationships. Previously a senior Finance Shared Services Centre leader in a FTSE 100 business, Andrea has a strong financial background and regularly draws on her experience working in a highly regulated financial services environment, particularly in auditing and operational leadership, to ensure internal controls are fit-for-purpose and mitigate risk.  In addition, Andrea has leadership, negotiation and people development skills to bring clarity and progression to the projects she works on. Current appointments:  Non-executive director at Blackburne House and chair of its Finance and Business Development Committee.