About Fintan Donohue OBE
Fintan Donohue is a pioneering leader who has led major innovation and change management programs across the public and private sector for more than 30 years.
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In 2017 Fintan set up his own company, Success Through Leadership with a focus on helping organisations within the private sector implement change management, build high-performing teams, and future-proof their operations.
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Most recently Fintan has worked on company restructuring, company transition post-acquisition, CEO coaching and leadership improvements. Pro bono work with a charitable organisation and a young start-up group has also been a feature.
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Fintan brings a sense of urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to inclusion into all the executive and consultancy positions that he has held. Fintan’s desire is for your organisation to also benefit from these qualities to drive lasting change, real impact, and the achievement of key company objectives.
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Outside of work, Fintan relaxes through golf, fitness, horses, travel, and family support.
With fellow owners at Ascot with my Horse Fearsome
Fintan's Story
Driving market-leading change in further education
In his early career as a national coordinator within the further education sector, Fintan introduced market-leading change and reforms to organisations seeking to become more customer centric.
An investor in people
Fintan has worked as an investor in people assessor gaining insight into the leadership, communication and employee engagement practices of companies across retailing, technology, education and hospitality sectors.
Thanks from President Clinton
Pro bono work on leadership for the Clinton foundation.
Fintan meeting President Clinton
The highest performing college in the UK
As a director of marketing innovation and quality in the highest performing college in UK, Fintan led the development of an unprecedented five national centres of vocational excellence. This required training delivery to highest standards.
A published author
In 2011, Fintan edited the book Perspectives on Entrepreneurship.
“An inspirational leader” – Ofsted
Fintan became CEO of a large multi-site college corporation catering for 14,000 students in 2005. He was praised by Ofsted (2010) as “an inspirational leader that has created high aspirations for excellence where students are empowered and confidently influence decision making.’
Awarded OBE for innovation in further education
In 2016, Fintan was awarded the OBE for his vision in bringing entrepreneurship and enterprise to the very heart of the further education sector. As CEO of the Gazelle Group, the largest college consortia in Europe, Fintan connected executive leaders more closely with the private sector and inspirational entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Luke Johnson.
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Working with Babson College in USA, Fintan designed and developed an entrepreneurial leadership programme for executives that was first of its kind in the education sector globally. This was universally acclaimed by all executives attending.
Success Through Leadership
On stage facilitating a workshop on implementing best practice across a franchise network
Fintan’s non-executive director roles span the leisure and technology sectors while working on change-management and leadership development projects with Stratsphere Ltd in USA and with Lockheed Martin in the Middle East.
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As a Non-Executive Director, Fintan worked with Empowered Brands Limited from June 2020 - June 2022. Advising on company acquisition, franchising systems development, culture development and executive team performance.
In the technology sector, working as a Non-Executive Director for Hedgehog Concept Limited between Jan 2018 - Feb 2022. Fintan drove the development of communication strategy, employee engagement, conflict resolution and strategic direction.
As a Strategic Advisor to BMF Limited / NM Capital between Mar 2020 - Jan 2022. Fintan worked on team development, commercial recovery, strategic planning, and marketing.
What I believe
I believe in only working with companies and organisations who embrace diversity, inclusion, and employee empowerment.
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I believe in questioning and challenge. I work closely with the people within your organisation, at times the challenge may be uncomfortable, but my clients have often found this is necessary in getting the results you want.
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I believe in innovation and urgency, delivering a lasting impact by bringing about rapid results.