Brief bio
I am a business adviser, facilitator and writer. My core interest and expertise is in healing tension and conflict affecting organisations, both at an individual level and a system level. I help create spaces for honest and creative conversations. I am a guest lecturer at Imperial College, Southampton University and elsewhere.
Particular areas of interest: social investment, governance, dialogue, the commons, emergent business forms.
I have a background in international law and business. I have lived and worked in five countries and worked in a wide variety of sectors including aerospace, retailing, property and high tech manufacturing.
I run an advisory business for start-ups and small businesses – see New Forest Advisory.
I am on the board of Riversimple, an eco-car company, and Thinking Flowers?, a pioneering ethical florist.
I am a director of Working in Trust, a social enterprise that is developing and promoting trust-based approaches to organisation.
I co-created and lead a course “Mastery in Sustainability” with Debbie Warrener, exploring the inner and outer paths to a better life for all.
From a friend: “Patrick asks great questions and has a vast store of wisdom built on wide experience. He has an exceptional understanding of organisational design fit for 21st century business and is a graceful man who lives out his values with great authenticity.” Mike Zeidler.
Career overview
1988 – Qualified as a solicitor with law firm Hill Dickinson & Co. in the City of London.
1990 – Joined United Technologies, one of world’s largest hi-tech groups, as in-house lawyer, based in UK and then in Canada. Drafted commercial contracts and helped conclude several cross-border transactions (mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures).
1996 – Whilst on temporary assignment in St Petersburg, Russia, appointed general manager of Canadian/Russian joint venture designing aircraft engines, responsible for 70 staff.
1998 – Back in the UK, joined retailer Kingfisher plc. Helped establish major joint ventures in China, Turkey and the Czech Republic. Led a team negotiating the takeover of Europe’s second largest DIY retailer.
2002 – Dawning awareness of global sustainability crisis. Left Kingfisher and set up and ran a charity for round-the world sailor Ellen MacArthur.
2003 to 2005 – Self-employed, pursuing an interest in social enterprise and alternative business structures.
2006 – General counsel at Raven Russia Property Management, a property company building and owning warehouses in Russia and the Ukraine. Concluded deals worth more than $500m.
2008 to present – Became Board member and head of governance of Riversimple LLP, a ground-breaking eco-car company that aims to transform the auto industry. Led the development of a ground-breaking governance structure designed to embed a triple bottom line (people, profit, planet) approach into the business.
2010 to present – adviser to small businesses and start-ups, facilitator and writer.
Other
I am a director of New Forest Festival CIC and an adviser to The People who Share.
I make really good sourdough bread.
I speak good French and decent Russian and German.
I live in the New Forest with my wife and son and a vegetable patch and two chickens.
And thanks to Shawn Ballantine for the photo of me.
