In their words

“Jan’s insights and observations have helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses and, crucially, to clarify and strengthen the relationship between the two of us. It has given us a base of confidence to move the business forward and help define and realise our goals. We will certainly be working with her long into the future to help maintain our focus. Jan is the only person we have come across who has the skills and experience to carry out such work so effectively. Her blend of industry expertise and her people skills are unique.”

Gareth Howat and Jim Sutherland
Directors, Hat-trick Design

In brief

While many of my clients are large organisations, I also enjoy working with younger companies who are facing the challenges of growth. I began working with Hat-trick Design in 2004, three years after they started out. Since then, I have acted as a consultant to their two directors, as the company has grown into one of the UK’s most respected and award-winning design companies.

Hat-trick Design is recognised as one of the outstanding design consultancies in the UK, with a prolific output of award-winning work for clients including Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Imperial War Museums, Royal Mail, Natural History Museum and Wimbledon. When I began working with them in 2004, they were a relatively new name, facing all the challenges that come with building a business without compromising creativity.

Having interviewed their founding partners in depth, I was able to understand the potential for the business and analyse its strengths, differentiators and areas for development and change. I produced an operational plan with specific milestones, covering areas such as company vision and profile, work-life balance, structure, work processes, PR and marketing. Our shared approach has been to identify what is right for Hat-trick and its founders, rather than following preconceived notions of what a design company ‘should’ be.

I continue to work with Hat-trick, with my involvement taking many forms, including conducting a client feedback survey, reassessing and updating the business plan, and consulting on staff evaluation and development. I not only have the greatest respect for the quality of their work, but also their sustained commitment to growing a business in the right way.