John Pepin is a superb and versatile consultant, a rare quality in that field! John has worked with us to innovate, plan and implement new directions for TBF. He has expertly supported the process of diversifying from a traditional charity to a range of successful business opportunities. He has won over staff and trustees with his engaging and challenging style, and we have achieved internal change I did not dare believe possible. I would really recommend John to any charity wishing to take risks and develop new ways of working and raising funds.
Working with Aperio-Group Associates has been a fantastic opportunity for us at Lift. John and Ilan skilfully helped us through a process of strategic prioritizing and enabled the organisation to radically re imagine itself and its commercial potential. John’s experience in the not for profit/social enterprise sector and his capacity to understand and support the culture of Lift, whilst at the same time sensitively working with Board and staff through an intense change process, has developed our capacity to communicate our message and business proposition with clarity and confidence.
John Pepin has worked on several projects with GDBA and in all of them his great strength was creating “buy-in” to new concepts. He works with a mentoring and encouraging style, facilitating and getting the best out of people. He is resourceful, energetic and importantly, delivers on time. His particular strength, for which we have used him, is in brainstorming and facilitating sessions to identify commercial ventures for our charity; these were very creative sessions.
What I liked about John Pepin from the outset was his ability to engage immediately with the issues that I was grappling with as a manager. None of this hanging back and just listening. He looks you straight in the eye and gives you plenty of constructive commentary right from the start.John brings a really refreshing business-like approach to team development sessions too, but without losing sight of the not-for-profit ethos for one minute. I really appreciated his ability to tune in to where we were all at as people and what we were planning to do in terms of running a capital appeal for a hospital without spending a small fortune.
It is hard to find the opportunity to rethink business structure and contribution in a tightly-wound charity where time is scarce, but a while ago I noticed…John Pepin.In a few short encounters he has converted many of my trustee board and senior staff. From upright, charitably-minded people he has turned them into a crowd of market traders….he has led them to think about what activity is properly charitable and non-profit, and what is appropriately traded and may produce a profit. Our operations will never be the same again. ….he is now helping to change our entire mindset…
…John has provided a challenging, yet practical approach to managing innovation within the Association. I would have no hesitation in recommending John Pepin to any organisation which is serious about change and development and which is not afraid to be challenged and questioned.
…They (Aperio-Group) reacted creatively to a complex project and identified the key issues rather than being delayed by irrelevant complications.This (revenue generation) was obviously an issue of political involvement both from government and from the sector. Aperio-Group managed this issue most sensitively and were not intimidated by the politics.
We previously put out to tender for work around our business development. Aperio-Group associates were the successful organisation appointed to deliver the piece of work. Our experience is that the team are very professional in the organisation and delivery of research associated with the specification as required as well as delivering added value. They were flexible and worked closely with us to ensure that the work produced was useful and produced in the way to be the best advantage to the organisation. The work with stakeholders and partners was carried out to an excellent standard and this was reflected in the feedback we received. I would thoroughly recommend them.
Aperio believes in mixing the practical with the strategic when undertaking client assignments, offering hands on support and mentoring as well as producing detailed, well researched consultancy reports, as appropriate.