Malcolm Streatfield

Malcolm took part in the National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) leadership and management course in 2008. He is the Chief Executive of Lighthouse Group plc which deals in independent financial advice and wealth management within the UK.

Malcolm says ‘Early in 2007, group employees (all 200 of them) were asked to complete a confidential survey which covered many areas ranging from the Treating Customers Fairly initiative (TCF), to the quality of support for personal development.

‘While the results were positive, areas for improvement were identified which included planning and evaluation of learning and development, management development and communication. Subsequently, a strategy has been developed to address the issues raised and at the beginning of May 2007, the Group formally announced its commitment to engage in the Investors In People (IIP) national standard. An action plan was established incorporating the three overriding IIP principles of: developing strategies, taking action and evaluating the impact on the performance of our organisation.

‘It was recognised that in order to get the business benefits quickly, it would be necessary for our people managers to be at the core of activities and so the Lighthouse Leadership Pathway Programme (LLPP) was developed as the means of delivering the changes necessary to address the development needs and to link directly to the Group’s strategic approach to TCF.

‘To do this, a unique and important partnership has been established between Lighthouse Group, the NSAFS and Orpington College to pioneer this new leadership programme which is closely linked to TCF and which recognises the importance of developing a culture that puts customers at the heart of what we do.

‘Getting involved in this NSAFS has been a great success and has helped us to meet our own business objectives by improved leadership and management skills throughout the organisation.

‘The key success of the programme was the reported increased knowledge and development of skills of all the attendees. Our employees and customers are already seeing the benefits of these initiatives, through better communication and interaction among staff and management.

‘The learning programme contained case studies and practical exercises which were relevant to everyday working life and the best practice ideas that were shared provided opportunities to reflect on new ways to approach problems. A major feature of the programme was the interactive online resources which enabled participants to work through parts of the programme in their own time and pace.

‘Some of the employees chose to continue their development and take a formal management award. I am delighted to report that all those that undertook this further development with the NSAFS at Orpington College have been successful.

‘I would wholeheartedly commend the NSAFS and endorse their programme which for Lighthouse Group has been invaluable.’

Get more details about the NSAFS’ leadership and management programme.