Kirklees Council and Azure Consulting Celebrate International Coaching Week 2016

Azure Consulting have worked closely with Kirklees Council to embed a coaching culture over the past few years. We have facilitated the qualification of employees in the ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring, offered CPD and Supervision to these coaches, assisted with the creation of an internal coaching pool, trained managers to use coaching as a leadership style and introduced Team Coaching. During International Coaching Week 2016, we got together with Kirklees Council to celebrate the success of this coaching process. It was a great opportunity to share experiences, be informed about the future of coaching within Kirklees, and most importantly, eat cake!

Employees were happy to share their experiences on video, and participate in activities such as ‘speed coaching’. It was really inspiring to hear the impact of coaching on individuals and the Council as a whole! The pinnacle of the day was the presentation of certificates to the most recently qualified ILM Level 5 Coaches by Kirklees Council’s Chief Executive, Adrian Lythgo. A huge congratulations go to these people from all at Azure Consulting!

See the video, as well as a gallery of images from the day, below:

May 2016

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Client Testimonials

Helen Lennon CEO Connect Housing
'We have worked with Sharon and Sue from Azure for over 10 years, primarily on a coaching programme for our people managers but also on general management development including a 360 appraisal process. The development of coaching within Connect has helped us give colleagues more autonomy to make decisions at the point of service as well as have adult to adult conversations and build trust'.
Claire Aydogan Head of Careers and Employability at The University of Huddersfield
We have worked with Azure for over two years, during this time I have been impressed with not only the quality of the training received but the bespoke nature of how the training fits our unique needs. From the initial inquiry through to evaluation meetings the professionalism of all colleagues at Azure is first class. It is evident Azure are experts in their field and this knowledge is transferred through all sessions with passion and enthusiasm. We have had over 20 students and businesses participate in coaching programmes and the feedback from delegates is outstanding with one delegate stating ‘if there is any further courses with Azure put my name down’. The materials and resources are of a high standard and recognised by the ILM. I would highly recommend Azure and the team of impressive colleagues to support your business needs in areas of Leadership, management and coaching.
Katharine Morley, HR Manager, Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network
The reaction to the engagement survey was really good, and the feedback I’m getting from the training participants is excellent. I’ve not had a single negative comment – everything is positive!
Jessica Taylor, Senior HR Business Partner, PA Media
We have a long standing relationship with Azure and people really value the courses. Everyone says how much they enjoy them and how much they take away.
Donna McGrath, Head of Digital Learning, Royal Mail
Azure quickly understood the organisation and our needs and delivered excellent tailored training to build our coaches capability. I valued their openness, flexibility and most of all their ability to challenge appropriately when needed – they have become trusted advisors to our coach network. Thank you for the excellent support.
Pam Gibson, Head of HR, CNG Ltd.
I'm beginning to see a change in people's behaviours and work. I'm very happy with the results that were obtained.
Paul Arnold, Deputy CEO/Executive Director, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Azure are always very keen to be attuned to needs of the organisation. We always feel we're getting a tailored service.
Rachel Hillman, Finance and Operations Director, Simpson Associates
It’s always a top rate service we receive from Azure. It’s actually more than just a service, it’s a relationship. It’s really important to Azure that everything we do in the programmes and workshops is put to good use in the business.
Vincent O’Donovan, Head of Group Learning and Development, Royal Mail
Azure have consistently provided Royal Mail Group with a very high level of professional and dedicated learning and development support over a number of years. In particular they have ensured that all Royal Mail colleagues have had a positive and rewarding learning experience which has greatly assisted them all with their career and personal development. Thank you.
Fiona Withey, Chief Executive Officer at TrakCel Ltd.
I’ve never experienced a training provider like Azure, we view the team as an integral part of our business. They always provide a creative, bespoke solution that is far superior compared to your ‘standard’ providers – with Azure it’s a consultative process. I know where Sue and the team are when I want to speak to them about our forthcoming training requirements.
Rob Whitehead, Chief Executive, Zubrance Food Group
Azure has an ability to understand its clients’ requirements and develop programmes that meet those needs. The way they do that is very perceptive, and it is always executed very professionally.
Christine Gummerson, Director of Neighbourhoods, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing
In the time I’ve worked with Azure, I don’t think they’ve ever let us down. They put a lot of time and effort into knowing where we’re at and where we’re going. It’s that personalisation that makes a difference.
Ceri Lewis, Neighbourhood Services Manager, Connect Housing
We share values, very much so. I don’t have to fully explain to Azure what I’m trying to achieve – it’s a given!
Mike Cavanagh, Private Client
Azure have an intuitive understanding of the businesses’ needs, values and ways of working and this comes through in the quality of the services they provide. 'Down to earth' and 'highly professional' are words that come to mind when describing Azure and their consultants – I would recommend them highly.
John Meadows, Director, Sagar Insurances
Azure are an energetic consultancy firm who bring a fresh and thoughtful approach towards Leadership and Management Development. The sessions are really testing and challenging for us, which is what we need to help us achieve improvement.
Simon Entwisle, Deputy CEO, Information Commissioner’s Office
Azure have partnered the ICO for a number of years now. They have helped us through many changes and given great value. Azure also provide help and support for individual leaders at the ICO through their excellent coaching service.
Paul Johnson, Managing Director, W. T. Johnson & Sons Ltd.
With the help of Azure we created a performance review process that was perfect for our business. We believe that over time this will be of great benefit to our organisation
Helen Baldwin, Director of HR, Comtec (Europe) Ltd.
Azure have a great ability to quickly get to speed with business issues and worked with us to develop programmes that would help us address those issues. The Azure team has a wide range of experience which helps candidates have confidence in the training and therefore fully engage but most importantly they like to have fun which is a must for us.
Lisa McFarlane, Associate Director, Seven Architecture
Azure are a real pleasure to work with, are consistently professional and have succeeded in developing me into the person that I always wanted to be! The entire team are consistent in their approach and they have made a real difference to the effectiveness of our business.
Martin Wood, Director, Seven Architecture
Azure has maintained the highest level of professional service at all times. Coaching and training has been carefully tailored to meet our business needs... Working with Azure is both enjoyable and rewarding. They are always available to provide help and informal advice whenever needed.
Karen Reynolds, HR Manager, DLA Design
We have worked with Azure over a number of years. It is their ability to listen and accurately interpret the needs of our business that is one of the main factors we return to them, again and again... Azure are a great team of people who make management training a pleasant experience for recipients. The ROI is highly valued.
Fiona Withey, CEO, Biotec Worldwide Supplies Group Ltd.
Azure worked their ‘absolute magic’ and focused the team to play to individual strengths in order to make key decisions and achieve tasks that contributed to the overall strategic aims of the business... Over the last 3 years, Azure have not only become an extension of the Biotec team, but also trusted friends to the business. If we have any team development requirements, Sue and Sharon are the first and only people that we call!
Susan Thomas, People Manager, Keelham Farm Shop
Azure are a forward thinking, inclusive, and pro-active business with a focus on delivering useful tangible results for the client business.
Vanessa Ayres, HR Manager, W.T. Johnson
Azure really understands the business. Our facilitation sessions are tailored specifically at how we work and what we need, and are in line with our philosophy and values.
Justin Peoples, Peoples Education Solutions
"I successfully completed the ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching qualification thanks to Sue and the team at Azure. They are incredibly knowledgeable; deliver highly engaging and insightful supervision sessions; and respond quickly to all communications making participants feel supported throughout the programme. I could not recommend them highly enough."
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