News
Happy New Year!
As 2024 has come to a close, it's a wonderful time to pause and reflect on what has been a truly busy and rewarding year for both MAC and the CIC. This year has brought new opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth.
In April, I was delighted to join the team as the Managing Director. Since arriving I have spent time listening, talking and planning with Ian, the MAC team and the wonderful community of Accredited Practitioners who have been so welcoming. We have introduced and engaged with new individuals and organisations, helping to broaden the application of SLT in meaningful ways.
One of the highlights of the year was attending the SLDA conference in Cairns. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the wider SLT community and hear how the theory is making a difference in the work of so many. Following the conference, I had the privilege of visiting several inspiring schools in Cairns and the Torres Straits, where I saw the practical impact of SLT on education and community development.
This year I also became a Senior Educational Leader Associate with the UCL (University College London) and have had the opportunity to visit Dubai to work with Emirate school leaders and Executive leaders in the UK.
The work of the CIC has truly begun to take shape, with a special focus on health and education in the UK. We’re excited about the potential to create positive change in these sectors and share our learnings with others around the world. We have already seen the immediate impact of SLT on the schools and Trusts we have worked with and have big plans to build the CIC community to benefit more leaders.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re thrilled to be launching our Accredited Practitioner Programme, which will help nurture the next generation of Systems Leadership professionals. Alongside this, we’re creating a new online community network where accredited practitioners can connect, share ideas and collaborate across a range of sectors and regions. There’s a lot to look forward to!
On behalf of myself, Ian and the MAC team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked with us this year. Your support and collaboration have been invaluable, and we’re excited to continue our journey together into 2025.
Angela O’Brien
Australian school visits - April 24
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
The Work of Management
A Leader’s Guide to Applying Systems Leadership
Now available - Purchase using link below.
The Work of Management demonstrates how the concepts, models and tools of Systems Leadership can be applied, enabling you to become a more effective manager by improving your own work to create a more positive and effective organisation.
Building on the bestselling book Systems Leadership, this book provides leaders with a manual for the application of concepts as well as an introduction to Systems Leadership Theory, a method that has been used successfully by businesses from large multinational firms and banks, to SMEs, public agencies and NGOs. It provides a predictive capability, allowing a leader to predict what will work well and what is likely to fail, according to the context. It gives the benefit of foresight as decisions must be made.
Designed as a leader’s manual for the application of the concepts around Systems Leadership, this book is for people who want to improve their own, and their organisation’s, work practices and performance.
Women in Change - Our award winner!
We are delighted to announce that our Managing Director Angela O’Brien has won the ‘Best Mentor or Coach’ award at the Women in Change ceremony, held in June 2024.
The Women In Change Awards exist to celebrate women who are not just participating in change, but are actively driving it. A tribute to the unsung heroines who are making a positive difference, both seen and unseen.
The award is in recognition of Angela’s impact in primary education, (her previous role before joining us) where she demonstrated visionary and affiliative leadership, driving significant achievements at a Trust of 18 primary schools. She has contributed nationally, designing peer review programmes for Multi-Academy trusts and facilitating high level leadership development programmes.
The judges highlighted Angela’s passion for mentoring and coaching, inspiring others and driving innovation. The judges also noted that her work has built sustainable change, impacting teachers, students, families, and communities. All in all - a fantastic role model and a well-deserved winner!
New Managing Director appointment
We are very pleased to welcome Angela O’Brien OBE into her new role as Managing Director.
Angela O'Brien OBE has been appointed Managing Director - Macdonald Associates Consultancy (‘MAC’) and Systems Leadership Community Interest Company (‘SLCIC’).
Angela is very familiar with MAC’s business and purpose to help organisations create the conditions where people willingly give of their best. As a previous client she has great experience running organisations, improving them in achieving their purpose and the quality of lives of all stakeholders. Angela’s approach to leadership and running organisations has always been consistent with Systems Leadership and the good practices outlined in the material.
Angela will create and develop working relationships not only in the education sector, where her work is well known, but also across all sectors. She is well equipped to use the ideas in many different settings and to develop new and imaginative ways of delivering the material and introducing Systems Leadership to a wider audience.
Angela succeeds Ian Macdonald as Managing Director. Ian moves into the role of Executive Chair as Angela develops her strategy for continuing to offer SLT to a wide range of organisations across all sectors around the world.
Ian commented: “We are delighted that Angela has chosen to join us and look forward to her contribution and leadership as she brings new energy and enthusiasm to our work now and for many years to come.”
Angela added “I am very much looking forward to this exciting new role and working closely with everyone in the Systems Leadership community. I can’t wait to get started and begin to build the next chapter of the organisation to take us forward.”
More information about Angela's background can be found here.
Clients
Current work across clients includes an international food company based in Denmark; a global firm of engineering consultants; a number of international mining companies; ongoing work with education organisations in both Australia and the UK and leadership development with the NHS in Wales.
Network
HBA Leadership, one of our Accredited organisations, recently launched its new website showcasing the breadth of offerings and experience it provides to its clients.
