About
I’m Ian Adkins. I deliver clarity and results with a proven, evidence-based approach.
I have spent my career operating in environments where the stakes are high and results are not optional. From designing complex engineering systems to leading soldiers on operations and advising boards on multi-million-pound decisions, I have learned that success is always a function of three things: a clear strategy, decisive leadership, and an aligned culture. When these elements are in sync, organisations achieve remarkable things. When they are not, they drift.
My professional life has been shaped by four distinct but interconnected experiences, giving me a unique perspective on organisational transformation.
I don’t lead a large team. When you hire me, you get me: a seasoned leader and consultant who provides candid advice and rolls up his sleeves to ensure the work gets done.
The Engineer: A Foundation in Systems
My career began with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and registration as a Chartered Engineer. This taught me how to analyse complex systems, to diagnose root causes rather than symptoms, and to appreciate the intricate connections between different parts of a whole. I see organisations the same way: as complex systems where a change in one area inevitably impacts another. This systematic, evidence-driven mindset is the foundation of my approach.
The Researcher: A Commitment to Evidence
Too much of the change management industry is built on anecdote and folklore. Frustrated by models that don’t stand up to scrutiny, I am now pursuing doctoral research into evidence-based approaches to transformation. My work is grounded in the proven principles of behavioural science, psychology, and neuroscience. My commitment is to bring a new level of rigour to the field, replacing generic templates with tailored, evidence-driven interventions that create lasting change.
The Consultant: Applying Theory to Practice
As an independent consultant and interim leader for over 20 years, I have worked with a diverse range of clients, from global brands like Gucci and major infrastructure operators like Network Rail to government departments like the Home Office and Ministry of Defence. I have designed and delivered transformation programmes ranging from £5m to over £100m, focusing on strategy, culture, and performance. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the commercial and political realities of organisational life and what it truly takes to turn a plan into a tangible result.
The Officer: Leadership Under Pressure
For 16 years, I served as a British Army officer, followed by another 20+ in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Colonel and leading teams of up to 2,000 personnel. I have served in operational roles in multiple theatres and commanded at every level, including leading the MOD’s Covid-19 response in South East England. The military is the ultimate school of leadership. It taught me about clarity of purpose, the importance of integrity, how to build resilient teams, and how to maintain calm and make clear-headed decisions under extreme pressure.
When you work with me, you get a partner who brings all four of these perspectives to your challenge. You get a seasoned, SC-cleared advisor who is as comfortable in the boardroom as he is with your frontline teams, and who is dedicated to leaving your organisation stronger and more self-sufficient.