Our team
Ian is a Chartered Psychologist with honours degree and PhD from Brunel University
Ian has always been fascinated by why people behave as they do and especially the significant impact of organisational arrangements on behaviour. He assumes we are inherently creative and want to contribute but that the quality of leadership and the way that organisations are set up can make this very difficult.
More detail of his work can be found in our story.
Ian Macdonald
Co-founder + Executive Chair
Gwyneth Macdonald
Director
Gwyn graduated from Brunel University with an honours degree in Psychology, Sociology and Economics
Gwyn then went on to complete further Post Graduate studies in Education. She later trained as a counsellor, specialising in work with adolescents.
She has worked in a variety of fields with young people: in educational research, youth work, teaching, counselling and mentoring.
She has been involved with Macdonald Associates Consultancy since the 1980s and is very keen on the current growth of Systems Leaderhip Community Interest Company, developing the work with those facing challenges who do not necessarily have the resources to match.
Angela O’Brien OBE
Managing Director
Angela has 30 years' service in Primary Education, leading schools across the East Midlands in England and was awarded an OBE by The King in 2020 for her leadership of schools in challenging circumstances
As a National Leader of Education and Director of Primary Education at the Spencer Academies Trust, she transformed failing schools, built new schools and improved established ones. She developed a collaborative approach across schools which resulted in significant improvements for pupils, a culture of innovation and development of new effective leaders.
Many of the 18 primary schools currently in the Trust serve disadvantaged communities including Wyndham Primary Academy, an outstanding school which has been awarded EEF Research School status and is one of the 25 schools nationally across the UK that now works to support other schools.
Angela took Wyndham from a bottom 200 school in the country to Outstanding in three years through transforming the culture to one that places a shared vision and Systems Leadership at the heart of everything.
Angela is trained as a coach and has a passion for developing others and applying the experience of leading complex organisations within and beyond educational settings.
George Bruell
Associate
George has 30+ years’ experience working across business and the performing arts
With a degree in immunology and a music scholarship from Cambridge University George has spent his life pursuing the intersection between the worlds of science, technology, commerce and the creative arts sectors.
George has worked in a diverse range of environments, including investment banking, food ingredients, technology and international opera. He now runs his own consulting, coaching and advisory business working with organisations and individuals across business, education and performing arts sectors, with a passion for working where the commercial and creative worlds collide.
Tracey Butler
Office Manager
Tracey is an administrator with a background in creative services
Tracey has worked predominantly in print management/production, in advertising and design agencies. She was a partner in a Brighton design agency for over 15 years and has worked in-house for a financial services client as a senior account manager for an international creative services company.
She is now responsible for the day to day running of our office in Lewes, covering all aspects of administration, enabling the consultancy and training work to be provided effectively.
Rachel Bates
Systems Leadership CIC Director
Rachel is a Headteacher in a two-form entry primary school in London
She has built a career over the last 25 years, starting in the classroom, working with primary age children. She then developed her knowledge and expertise in teaching, special needs, school improvement and leadership. She currently works within a small Academy Trust in Harrow, as a Headteacher, coach and training facilitator. She uses Systems Leadership in much of her work, including within the school she is currently working in, which has gone from an Ofsted grading of 'Inadequate’ to ‘Good' in less than 2 years.
Rachel is passionate about inclusive leadership and education at all levels.
Fred Stanford
Systems Leadership CIC Director
Fred brings 40+ years experience in the mining industry, most recently as CEO of Torex Gold, using Systems Leadership to positively transform the organisations he leads
Fred graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree in 1981 and is registered as a Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada. The first 28 years of his experience were spent with Inco/Vale, retiring from the role of President of the Ontario Operations. He then took on the role of CEO of Torex Gold. As the first employee of the company, Fred assembled and led the team that used Systems Leadership to build Torex Gold into a highly regarded intermediate gold mining company. After 13 years with Torex, Fred retired again, this time from role of Executive Chairman.
He currently divides his professional time between roles as a corporate director, entrepreneur commercialising a paradigm shifting mining technology, and leadership consulting.