FAQs

General & Value-Oriented Questions

Q: What makes The Cornerstone Practice different from standard risk management consultants?

A: Most consultancies offer a "compliance-first" approach, providing standard templates that satisfy an audit but fail to protect the organisation from complex, real-world threats.

My approach is fundamentally different. It is a "Pracademic" synthesis—rooted in my doctoral research into complex risk systems, fused with decades of gritty, operational leadership in the public sector. This means you don't get generic best practice; you get forensic, evidence-based architecture designed specifically for the systemic challenges of UK public service and education.

Q: Is The Cornerstone Practice only for large public bodies like Police Forces or County Councils?

A: Not at all. While my career background is rooted in navigating complex risks for major national entities and large-scale operations, I established The Cornerstone Practice with a specific focus.

My goal now is to translate that high-level, systemic experience into scalable solutions tailored for medium-sized organisations, such as Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), specialist charities, and Fire & Rescue services. I am bringing "major-entity grade" assurance and architectural control, right-sized to fit the resources and specific mission of your organisation.

Q: How quickly will we see results from partnering with you?

A: Clarity is almost immediate. Our initial engagement, The Systemic Blueprint, is designed as a high-impact intervention. Within weeks, we move you from a state of "tribal knowledge" and disjointed spreadsheets to having a unified Enterprise Risk Register and a clear, evidence-based roadmap for maturity. You gain immediate architectural control.

Ongoing impact is then sustained through our Strategic Foresight or Executive Directorate partnerships.

Service-Specific Questions

Q: Can you explain the difference between 'The Systemic Blueprint' and 'Strategic Foresight'?

A: Think of it as the difference between building the ship and navigating it.

The Systemic Blueprint is a foundational, one-time project. We tear down silos, establish your maturity baseline against industry standards via consensus, and physically build the governance architecture (registers, policies, appetite statements) you are currently missing.

Strategic Foresight is an ongoing quarterly service that ensures this new architecture doesn't decay. I act as your external sentinel, actively scanning the horizon for regulatory or sector-specific threats and providing the assurance briefings you need for your Audit & Risk Committee.

Q: What does a 'Fractional CRO' entail within 'The Executive Directorate' service?

A: This is my premium tier for leaders who need embedded strength without the overhead of a full-time executive hire.

As your Fractional Chief Risk Officer (CRO), I don't just advise from the sidelines; I integrate into your leadership team. I drive the culture change required to make risk management stick, I mentor your internal risk owners, and, crucially, I act as your "Regulator Shield"—sitting alongside you during OFSTED, ESFA, or other inspectorate visits to articulate your robust governance rationale.

Practical & Next Steps Questions

Q: Do you offer bespoke training for our internal teams?

A: Yes. I believe that true resilience means building institutional memory, not creating dependency on a consultant.

While I am not a generalist training provider, knowledge transfer is embedded into every engagement. For Blueprint and Directorate clients, I often run bespoke workshops for Boards, Executive Teams, and Heads of Department to ensure they understand how to operate the new framework effectively.

Q: How do we get started with The Cornerstone Practice?

A: Because I work with a capped number of clients to ensure dedicated focus, the first step is a Strategic Assessment Call. This is a no-obligation consultation to discuss your current maturity level, your specific anxieties regarding governance, and to determine which pathway—Blueprint, Foresight, or Directorate—is the right fit for your organisation.