Q5 Partners

Why sustainable performance requires balancing people, purpose and systems Organisational performance can no longer be defined by financial outcomes alone. It emerges from the interaction of people, purpose and systems, shaped by constant trade-offs. High-performing organisations do not eliminate tensions, they navigate them deliberately, making clear choices to sustain long-term value, resilience and meaningful outcomes for employees, customers and stakeholders. Reading time: 4 minutes “Performance” is a commonplace word in…

Q5 panel event: The nation’s ‘cash cow’ We recently convened a cross-sector panel to examine London’s role in the UK economy and the roots of anti-London sentiment. The discussion challenged zero-sum thinking, highlighted the impact of over-centralisation, and explored how stronger regional empowerment and collaboration could support more balanced, inclusive growth across the country. Listen to the podcast below. Reading time: 2 minutes We recently hosted a panel at The…

What a five-generation workforce means for culture, leadership, and performance Five generations now work side by side, creating both opportunity and tension. Drawing on insights from Oxford Elevate and Q5 workshops, this article explores how organisations can understand their culture, lead inclusively, and connect people through shared purpose to unlock collaboration, improve wellbeing, and enable the next generation to contribute and thrive. Reading time: 5 minutes Each year, Oxford Elevate…

Insights from Innovation 2026: from ideas to impact Innovation in the public sector depends less on new ideas and more on creating the conditions for delivery. Leaders must focus on alignment, data, governance, and capability to turn ambition into impact. By strengthening systems, not just solutions, organisations can move from isolated pilots to sustained, system-wide performance improvement. Reading time: 5 minutes Innovation 2026 highlighted a familiar reality for senior leaders:…

Joel Grundy on moving beyond plans and buzzwords to make strategy actually work Strategic thinking is coming of age. In this podcast, Joel Grundy explores how strategy has help leaders make their decisions add up, be pragmatic about uncertainty, and make the most of what’s happening in reality. A practical take on using strategy well right now when the big picture for most businesses is being shaken up. Listen to…

The manufacturing skills crunch: why hiring and AI alone won’t fix it – and what to do instead Manufacturers face a growing skills crunch that hiring and technology alone won’t solve. The real constraint is capability. Leading organisations treat skills as an operating model, not an initiative. By redesigning roles, building coaching capacity, and linking learning to performance, manufacturers can create and sustain critical skills. Read more to learn six…

100% of employees say Q5 is a great place to work Q5 Australia has been certified as a Great Place to Work, with 100% of employees saying it is a great place to work. This recognition reflects Q5’s strong culture of collaboration, development, and support, and reinforces its commitment to building healthy and high-performing organisations where people and businesses can thrive. Reading time: 2 minutes We are proud to share…

Five macro trends shaping the next three years Our first Sports Report, From strategy to delivery in a maturing sports ecosystem, explores five macro trends shaping UK sport over the next three years. Drawing on insights from 40+ senior leaders, it examines how clubs, leagues and investors are evolving to balance performance, governance and long-term sustainability. Download the full report below. Reading time: 2 minutes UK sport is entering its…

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:3fb7d580-788f-4bab-a602-8eba1b410b4a-0" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Why do so many organisations deliver successful projects but fail to realise strategic impact? In this Q5 think piece, we explore the hidden disconnect between strategy and execution, where green dashboards and on-time milestones mask a lack of meaningful progress. We examine why portfolios drift, why initiatives lose alignment with strategic intent, and why transformation alone is not enough to deliver lasting…

Building resilient, responsible organisations in a changing world Q5’s 2026 Sustainability Report highlights the firm’s progress across people, ethics, resilience, environmental action and social impact. With clear ESG priorities and a focus on long-term organisational health, the report shows how Q5 is evolving to help clients and communities thrive. Download the full report below. Reading time: 2 minutes We are proud to share our 2026 Sustainability Report, which captures how…

Where does accountability sit for attracting and retaining high-value audiences? Editorial, Marketing, Product, or … somewhere else? Reading time: 2 minutes As search declines, high-value audiences are no longer “acquired”, they are built. This report explores how fragmented accountability across editorial, product and commercial teams slows progress, and why clear leadership, shared priorities and common metrics are now critical to driving habitual, high-value audience growth. Download the full report here.…

Four key trends shaping growth, fundraising and organisational health Charities are facing fewer donors, rising costs, and increased competition. Through 18 Pop-Ups in 2025, we identified four trends shaping the sector: sharper fundraising strategies, growth through collaboration, rethinking operating model,s and strengthening culture. These insights highlight how leaders can adapt and build resilience for 2026. Reading time: 4 minutes During the Covid-19 pandemic Q5 founded Pop Up Consulting, an initiative…

How data-led alignment turns the customer journey into a growth engine Businesses often chase new customers without fixing leaks in their existing customer funnel. This article explores how aligning people, processes, and data around each stage of the customer lifecycle helps identify where value is lost, improve retention and conversion, and build a more efficient, customer-centric growth engine. Reading time: 5 minutes Every business has a customer lifecycle, from first…

How understanding customer value unlocks smarter, sustainable growth Most businesses chase more customers for more revenue, but true growth comes from understanding which customers really drive value. This article explores how we help organisations redefine customer segmentation, focus investment where it counts, and build sustainable growth through smarter, data-led customer strategies. Reading time: 5 minutes Rethinking customer value for growth Many organisations fall into the trap of assuming that their…

Nine lessons for stronger leadership in a crisis Across the UK, nearly one million trustees volunteer their time and expertise to strengthen the charities and causes they care about. As part of Trustees’ Week, Annabel Tonge shared key lessons on how boards and leaders can stay steady, supportive and strategic when navigating organisational crises. Reading time: 3 minutes Building resilience through governance: insights from Annabel Tonge Crises test even the…

How Strategic Workforce Planning can turn today’s pressures into tomorrow’s advantage The Civil Service faces unprecedented complexity, shifting priorities, tight budgets, and rising public expectations. Strategic Workforce Planning enables leaders to anticipate change, invest in critical skills, and align workforce capability with mission outcomes. It’s not an HR exercise but a leadership discipline essential to building a resilient, future-ready government. Reading time: 4 minutes The Civil Service operates under uniquely…

Benchmarking your organisational culture could be the smartest move you make this year Culture doesn’t appear on a balance sheet, but it’s one of the strongest predictors of performance. Q5’s latest Culture Benchmarking Report reveals how organisations can measure, compare, and strengthen culture to unlock engagement, fairness, and trust, and why many leaders overestimate how healthy their culture really is. Download the full report at the bottom of this page.…

A practical guide to designing a TOM that works in the real world. A Target Operating Model defines how an organisation should function day-to-day, not just on paper. This article explains how to design, test, and implement a TOM grounded in real-world data, ensuring it drives meaningful change across people, processes, and technology while achieving tangible business outcomes. Reading time: 4 minutes What is a Target Operating Model? A Target…

How to benchmark competitors effectively (without losing context) Competitor benchmarking can feel like a corporate version of keeping up with the Joneses but how much attention should you pay to what other players in your sector are doing? This article will explore how headcount benchmarking specifically can be of use and what contextual factors you need to consider to use it effectively. Reading time: 5 minutes An analogy – the…

How AI, pragmatism, and purpose are shaping the future of HR in Saudi Arabia At the HRSE – HR Expo in Riyadh, Q5 joined HR leaders to explore the evolving world of work in Saudi Arabia. From AI’s rising influence to a renewed focus on pragmatic, people-first solutions, the Kingdom is embracing bold change with energy, purpose, and a hunger for impact-driven innovation. Reading time: 3 minutes Our team had…

Spending review 2025: our insights The June 2025 Spending Review is the Labour Government’s first in over 15 years and is presented as a significant strategic shift from incremental budgeting to a mission-led, zero-based funding approach. The commitments made through the SR reflect our national priorities (health, house building, national energy security, and digital transformation) whilst also recognising the increasing global threats that we face and how we must be…

Sustained Diamond and Platinum ratings in Change Management and key industries Following our recent King’s Award for International Trade, Consultancy UK has positioned Q5 as a top UK firm, receiving Diamond rating for Change Management alongside Platinum and Gold ratings for multiple industry sectors and service areas. Reading time: 2 minutes For two years in a row, we’re very proud to announce that Q5 has been ranked as one of…

As we celebrate a decade of local operations in Australia, we’re proud to announce several senior leadership appointments that reaffirm our long-term commitment to the region. Strengthening Our Leadership Team in Australia and New Zealand At Q5, we specialise in helping organisations thrive through periods of growth and transformation—whether that means optimising costs, redesigning structures, redefining roles, or building capabilities for the future. With a global presence across nine offices…

Join us for another ‘In Conversation with Q5’ podcast, where we debunk the myths and discuss what Strategic Workforce Planning really means, hearing from Hannah Buckley, Associate Partner at Q5, Jay Patel, Head of Strategic Workforce Planning at Q5 and Kyle Fitzgerald, Head of Q5 Analytics. Together, they break down the core theory, translate it into practical, real-world application, and share examples that illustrate how it works in action. We…

Market uncertainty has become a structural feature of the operating environment. Interest rates, input costs, labour dynamics, and geopolitical alignments are shifting simultaneously, often in divergent and unpredictable ways. These developments are compressing decision-making windows and increasing the financial consequences of delayed responses.  In this context, effective leadership depends not on prediction, but on early and accurate interpretation of change. The ability to distinguish signal from noise — and to…

We’re incredibly proud to share that Q5 has been awarded a prestigious King’s Award for International Trade in recognition of our ongoing commitment to helping businesses thrive across the globe. This year marks the 59th edition of the King’s Awards for Enterprise, celebrating exceptional UK businesses that are achieving remarkable growth and innovation. This award only goes out to the select few, and we are one of just 197 organisations…

Uncertainty has long been part of the business landscape — and it’s one we’ve helped our clients navigate time and again. Over the years, we’ve worked alongside leadership teams through global financial crises, Brexit, political turbulence, and a pandemic that fundamentally reshaped global commerce. What we are facing today, however, is not a temporary disruption or a single event. It is a more persistent, structural shift — one that is…

Accelerating Q5’s growth through expert financial leadership We’re excited to welcome Amanda Lewis as our new CFO. With over two decades of experience, Amanda brings deep expertise in financial strategy, M&A, and scaling high-performing teams. She’ll play a crucial role in driving Q5’s global expansion and supporting our goal to double in size sustainably by 2030. Reading time: 2 minutes We’re delighted to announce that Amanda Lewis has joined Q5…

A path to transformative Public Services As Diamond Sponsor of Innovation 2025, we engaged with leaders across government to explore the future of public service. In this article, five of our public sector experts share their key takeaways, covering leadership, strategy, culture, storytelling, and AI to offer practical insights on building a more agile, outcomes-focused state. Reading time: 6 minutes In today’s rapidly evolving public sector landscape, innovation can no…

Insights from the Q5 Media Team From the rise of news influencers to the evolving definition of ‘digital first,’ the Q5 media team shares key insights into the challenges shaping the publishing and broadcasting landscape. Drawing on industry experience and client work, these thought pieces explore how newsrooms can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing media environment. Reading time: 4 minutes Recently, the Q5 media team has taken to…

Beyond People Data: how a Job Architecture can supercharge skills across your organisation Even the best people data can’t fully reveal workforce skills. This article explores how a Job Architecture, organising roles by skill and activity, enables better workforce planning, career development, and performance management. Real-world examples show how this framework helps organisations identify gaps, allocate resources, and support employee growth effectively. Reading time: 5 minutes Organisations we work with…

5 tips for navigating change with impact Implementing a Shared Service Centre is a major change that impacts people, processes, and culture. This guide shares five practical tips, from strong communication to people-focused planning, that can help leaders manage the transition smoothly. Learn how to align teams, transfer knowledge effectively, and build momentum for a successful, centralised model. Reading time: 3 minutes Implementing a Shared Service Centre (SSC) is a…

Choosing the right workforce planning approach for your organisation Workforce planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. While Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) helps organisations plan for the long term, Tactical and Operational Workforce Planning address more immediate and mid-term needs. Understanding when to apply each approach is critical to workforce resilience, cost efficiency, and business success. Which planning approach is right for you? Reading time: 3 minutes Strategic, Tactical, or Operational Workforce Planning –…

How our pro-bono consulting is making a real difference for charities, communities, and young people In FY23/24, we provided £1 million in pro bono consulting to 24 charities and not-for-profits through the Q5 Foundation. Our four pillars Pop-Up Consulting, Community Partnerships, Young People, and Research Collaborations drive lasting social impact. Looking ahead to FY25/26, we’re committed to expanding our reach and continuing to support those who need it most. Download…

A new chapter for Q5 Arabia as we set our sights on 2025 Q5 Arabia is proud to welcome Scott Kennedy as its new Managing Director. With over a decade of experience across multiple sectors and regions, Scott brings deep expertise in strategy execution and organizational effectiveness. His leadership will drive Q5 Arabia’s growth, strengthen client relationships, and localize Q5’s expertise in the Middle East. Reading time: 2 minutes Q5 is…

The critical role of people and culture in retail mergers and acquisitions Summary: Many Retail & Consumer M&A deals fail to realise full value due to overlooked people and culture factors. With rising costs and strategic shifts, businesses must balance integrations with maintaining brand DNA, consistency of culture, while ensuring people remain focussed on core delivery. Q5 helps organisations embed a people-centric approach to maximise synergies and drive long-term success.…

A framework for addressing loneliness in the workplace for enhanced well-being Addressing loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for organisations striving to cultivate a resilient, engaged, and high-performing workforce. To tackle this issue, we propose a holistic framework comprising five key elements: Culture, Leadership, DEIB & Well-being, Organisational Design & Workplace Environment, and Social Needs & Networks. This framework…

Reflecting on a year of meaningful impact 2024 was an amazing year for the Q5 Foundation, as we deepened our commitment to social impact and supported over 30 charities and community organisations globally. Together, we achieved remarkable milestones that demonstrate the power of collaboration, expertise, and passion. Reading time: 6 minutes A year of empowering communities This year, the Q5 Foundation proudly donated over £1 million in consulting time and…

Unlock M&A value through culture and leadership Over two-thirds of M&A activity fails to deliver value, often due to overlooked “People topics.” Our guide highlights how prioritising culture, leadership, and strategic alignment can drive performance across the transaction lifecycle. Download the full PDF to learn actionable strategies for defining priorities, minimising disruption, and achieving M&A success. Reading time: 2 minutes Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are significant milestones for any business,…

Insights from Q5 Australia to help you lead with impact in 2025 Start 2025 strong with 7 key leadership lessons from Q5’s Australian team. From co-designing solutions and clear communication to embracing change and fostering team culture, these insights help leaders innovate, adapt, and empower their teams for success in the evolving business landscape. Reading time: 4 minutes In Australia and New Zealand, we see a new year as having…