Research-backed leadership development, expertly applied
Kielder Consulting exists to help leaders and organisations move beyond awareness to lasting behavioural change. We integrate world-class psychometric assessment with proven frameworks to ensure development drives real performance improvement.
Our approach
Most leadership development fails because it stops at insight. Leaders complete assessments, attend workshops, have “aha moments”, then return to old patterns within weeks.
Kielder is different.
We combine:
Scientifically validated assessment (Strengths Profile by Cappfinity)
Proven analytical frameworks (Theory of Core Qualities)
Practical application structure (The Four Cores Framework)
Sustained development support (Coaching, integration, measurement)
This integration ensures that leadership development transforms how leaders think, decide, and act.
Our Founder
Dr. Kieran Lees DBA MBA MSc
Kieran founded Kielder Consulting to address a gap he experienced throughout his executive career: leadership development that creates awareness without driving change.
With more than 30 years of experience as both leader and leadership developer, Kieran brings:
Academic Foundation:
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Henley Business School
Research focus: Leadership development effectiveness and behavioural change
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Durham University Business School
Master of Science (MSc) in Executive Leadership from Nottingham Business School
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer for MBA Leadership modules at Southampton Business School
Executive Experience:
Chief Executive Officer roles in professional services and education sectors
Executive Director positions across multiple industries
Board member and Non-Executive Director appointments
30+ years leading organizations through growth, transformation, and complexity
Professional Accreditation:
Accredited Cappfinity Service Provider for Strengths Profile and Skills assessments
Certified in Theory of Core Qualities application
Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
Member of the Academy of Management
This combination of rigorous academic training and extensive executive experience ensures Kielder’s approach is both theoretically sound and practically effective.
Who we work with
Kielder partners with organisations that are serious about leadership development:
Sectors
Professional services
Technology and engineering
Healthcare and life sciences
Education and research
Financial services
Public sector and government
Manufacturing and industrial
Leadership levels
C-suite executives and senior leadership teams
Functional and divisional leaders
Middle management and team leaders
Emerging and high-potential leaders
Boards and Non-Executive Directors
Organisation Types
Large enterprises building leadership capability at scale
Growth companies developing leadership for the next stage
Organisations undergoing transformation requiring new leadership behaviours
Teams seeking enhanced collective performance
Individuals requiring executive-level development
Our commitment
When you work with Kielder, you can expect:
Tailored design specific to your context, not off-the-shelf solutions
Evidence-based methodology grounded in research and refined through practice
Assessment with action ensuring insights translate to behavioral change
Sustained support providing ongoing development, not one-off events
Honest partnership offering candid feedback and realistic expectations
Measurable outcomes tracking development impact, not just participation
Practical application focused on real challenges, not theoretical exercises
Academic rigour combined with executive pragmatism
