Firetail
@firetail.bsky.social
We are a #strategy #consultancy working to achieve #socialprogress. We help impact-driven organisations realise their ambitions for society. #BCorpUK
Reposted by Firetail
Excellent from Martha Lane Fox:
"We cling to a model that makes public life feel like a punishing, precarious calling that only a few can endure."
martha6j5h2.substack.com/p/this-is-pu...
"We cling to a model that makes public life feel like a punishing, precarious calling that only a few can endure."
martha6j5h2.substack.com/p/this-is-pu...
This is public life in 2025, who would volunteer?
Why the BBC crisis is not just a reflection of some bad editorial decisions and why it matters
martha6j5h2.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Excellent from Martha Lane Fox:
"We cling to a model that makes public life feel like a punishing, precarious calling that only a few can endure."
martha6j5h2.substack.com/p/this-is-pu...
"We cling to a model that makes public life feel like a punishing, precarious calling that only a few can endure."
martha6j5h2.substack.com/p/this-is-pu...
There is still time to register for Thursday's webinar with Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation: lnkd.in/ekntM_kn
The session will cover the foundation's new strategy, advice for how to engage owners and different audiences, and the role of purpose in a changing sport landscape.
The session will cover the foundation's new strategy, advice for how to engage owners and different audiences, and the role of purpose in a changing sport landscape.
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
November 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM
There is still time to register for Thursday's webinar with Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation: lnkd.in/ekntM_kn
The session will cover the foundation's new strategy, advice for how to engage owners and different audiences, and the role of purpose in a changing sport landscape.
The session will cover the foundation's new strategy, advice for how to engage owners and different audiences, and the role of purpose in a changing sport landscape.
Reposted by Firetail
Sport can be a force for social progress and purpose, and when treated as a strategic asset, can create impact and commercial value.
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
October 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Sport can be a force for social progress and purpose, and when treated as a strategic asset, can create impact and commercial value.
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Reposted by Firetail
In the 1970s, the French government ran this ad: “we don’t have petrol, but we have ideas”
Today, French electricity generation is 72% nuclear, 21% renewables and 7% fossil fuels. They are the largest net exporter of electricity in the world.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0z...
Today, French electricity generation is 72% nuclear, 21% renewables and 7% fossil fuels. They are the largest net exporter of electricity in the world.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0z...
SPOT TV gouvernement économies d'énergie : "en France, on n'a pas de pétrole, mais on a des idées"
SPOT TV gouvernement économies d'énergie : "en France, on n'a pas de pétrole, mais on a des idées"
m.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In the 1970s, the French government ran this ad: “we don’t have petrol, but we have ideas”
Today, French electricity generation is 72% nuclear, 21% renewables and 7% fossil fuels. They are the largest net exporter of electricity in the world.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0z...
Today, French electricity generation is 72% nuclear, 21% renewables and 7% fossil fuels. They are the largest net exporter of electricity in the world.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0z...
Reposted by Firetail
"Resilience won’t come from fixing yesterday’s problems. It will come from perceiving tomorrow’s patterns."
A lot of “innovation” work forgets you can’t build for the future if you ignore the present. A smart call to stop designing the future like it’s 2010.
medium.com/@paulagilb/w...
A lot of “innovation” work forgets you can’t build for the future if you ignore the present. A smart call to stop designing the future like it’s 2010.
medium.com/@paulagilb/w...
We Are Designing for Futures That No Longer Exist
If you have been paying attention, five reports should have made it to the top of your reading pile: The UN Global Risks Report; The World…
medium.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
"Resilience won’t come from fixing yesterday’s problems. It will come from perceiving tomorrow’s patterns."
A lot of “innovation” work forgets you can’t build for the future if you ignore the present. A smart call to stop designing the future like it’s 2010.
medium.com/@paulagilb/w...
A lot of “innovation” work forgets you can’t build for the future if you ignore the present. A smart call to stop designing the future like it’s 2010.
medium.com/@paulagilb/w...
Reposted by Firetail
If you work in sport or partner with sporting organisations, do join me for our next webinar with the wonderful Frances Milner from the Leeds United Foundation.
Sport can be a force for social progress and purpose, and when treated as a strategic asset, can create impact and commercial value.
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
October 21, 2025 at 11:22 AM
If you work in sport or partner with sporting organisations, do join me for our next webinar with the wonderful Frances Milner from the Leeds United Foundation.
Sport can be a force for social progress and purpose, and when treated as a strategic asset, can create impact and commercial value.
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
October 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Sport can be a force for social progress and purpose, and when treated as a strategic asset, can create impact and commercial value.
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Register for our next webinar to hear Frances Milner, CEO of the The Leeds United Foundation, share insights on their approach to social impact: buff.ly/aSoEofM
Firetail Webinar: 25 Sep @ 12:00
Join us to hear two incredible speakers - Giulio Quaggiotto (gquaggiotto.bsky.social) and Ben Holt - share their experience of building futures and innovation capacity across government, NGOs and civil society.
Register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
Join us to hear two incredible speakers - Giulio Quaggiotto (gquaggiotto.bsky.social) and Ben Holt - share their experience of building futures and innovation capacity across government, NGOs and civil society.
Register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
Firetail Webinars — Firetail
www.firetail.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Firetail Webinar: 25 Sep @ 12:00
Join us to hear two incredible speakers - Giulio Quaggiotto (gquaggiotto.bsky.social) and Ben Holt - share their experience of building futures and innovation capacity across government, NGOs and civil society.
Register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
Join us to hear two incredible speakers - Giulio Quaggiotto (gquaggiotto.bsky.social) and Ben Holt - share their experience of building futures and innovation capacity across government, NGOs and civil society.
Register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
We're starting our webinars again!
The first webinar in our next series is taking place on Thursday 25th September, register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
The first webinar in our next series is taking place on Thursday 25th September, register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
August 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
We're starting our webinars again!
The first webinar in our next series is taking place on Thursday 25th September, register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
The first webinar in our next series is taking place on Thursday 25th September, register here: www.firetail.co.uk/webinars
Reposted by Firetail
MIT study:
"Despite $30–40 billion in enterprise investment into GenAI
... 95% of organizations are getting zero return.
..these tools primarily enhance individual productivity, not P&L performance....
...enterprise-grade systems are being quietly rejected."
web.archive.org/web/20250818...
"Despite $30–40 billion in enterprise investment into GenAI
... 95% of organizations are getting zero return.
..these tools primarily enhance individual productivity, not P&L performance....
...enterprise-grade systems are being quietly rejected."
web.archive.org/web/20250818...
web.archive.org
August 26, 2025 at 9:44 AM
MIT study:
"Despite $30–40 billion in enterprise investment into GenAI
... 95% of organizations are getting zero return.
..these tools primarily enhance individual productivity, not P&L performance....
...enterprise-grade systems are being quietly rejected."
web.archive.org/web/20250818...
"Despite $30–40 billion in enterprise investment into GenAI
... 95% of organizations are getting zero return.
..these tools primarily enhance individual productivity, not P&L performance....
...enterprise-grade systems are being quietly rejected."
web.archive.org/web/20250818...
We love working with partners who bring specialist sector expertise and fresh perspectives. Hear from three of our partners: Francine Bennett, Stephen Hilton, and John Hitchin as they discuss the problems they are trying to solve, and how they think about working with Firetail.
A spotlight on our partners — Firetail
We work a lot with partners. As well as bringing specialist sector skills and knowledge, they offer us fresh perspectives to any given project. More importantly, we love working with them and share…
www.firetail.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 9:48 AM
We love working with partners who bring specialist sector expertise and fresh perspectives. Hear from three of our partners: Francine Bennett, Stephen Hilton, and John Hitchin as they discuss the problems they are trying to solve, and how they think about working with Firetail.
Reposted by Firetail
The best Harvard Business review article I've ever seen?
Side-by-side test of a 'good' strategy visualisation slide vs a 'bad' one of the same strategy. Both still pretty basic design most people could pull off in G-Slides.
By João Cotter Salvado and Freek Vermeulen. via @firetail.bsky.social
Side-by-side test of a 'good' strategy visualisation slide vs a 'bad' one of the same strategy. Both still pretty basic design most people could pull off in G-Slides.
By João Cotter Salvado and Freek Vermeulen. via @firetail.bsky.social
July 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The best Harvard Business review article I've ever seen?
Side-by-side test of a 'good' strategy visualisation slide vs a 'bad' one of the same strategy. Both still pretty basic design most people could pull off in G-Slides.
By João Cotter Salvado and Freek Vermeulen. via @firetail.bsky.social
Side-by-side test of a 'good' strategy visualisation slide vs a 'bad' one of the same strategy. Both still pretty basic design most people could pull off in G-Slides.
By João Cotter Salvado and Freek Vermeulen. via @firetail.bsky.social
Reposted by Firetail
The government's "Chronic Risks" report is a very good summary of the threats facing the UK.
In practice, it's not clear how foresight work like this informs policy.
And it's striking how many risks are mitigated by deploying lots of solar, as quickly as possible.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
In practice, it's not clear how foresight work like this informs policy.
And it's striking how many risks are mitigated by deploying lots of solar, as quickly as possible.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Chronic risks analysis
The Chronic risks analysis outlines the most critical medium to long term challenges facing the United Kingdom.
www.gov.uk
July 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The government's "Chronic Risks" report is a very good summary of the threats facing the UK.
In practice, it's not clear how foresight work like this informs policy.
And it's striking how many risks are mitigated by deploying lots of solar, as quickly as possible.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
In practice, it's not clear how foresight work like this informs policy.
And it's striking how many risks are mitigated by deploying lots of solar, as quickly as possible.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Firetail
Campaigns to use philanthropy to pay off national debt were tied up in the politics of the time (covered in this excellent short paper by @johnpicton.bsky.social)
In 1919, before the treaty of Versailles, Baldwin bought and cancelled £150k of war loans.
pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
In 1919, before the treaty of Versailles, Baldwin bought and cancelled £150k of war loans.
pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
pure.manchester.ac.uk
June 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Campaigns to use philanthropy to pay off national debt were tied up in the politics of the time (covered in this excellent short paper by @johnpicton.bsky.social)
In 1919, before the treaty of Versailles, Baldwin bought and cancelled £150k of war loans.
pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
In 1919, before the treaty of Versailles, Baldwin bought and cancelled £150k of war loans.
pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
Reposted by Firetail
A low-key end to one of the most idiosyncratic acts of philanthropy in history.
www.ft.com/content/ed1a...
www.ft.com/content/ed1a...
Treasury gains £500mn to pay off UK debt from Barings banker’s 1927 fund
Windfall in form of ‘patriotic gift’ comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves strives to balance the books
www.ft.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:38 AM
A low-key end to one of the most idiosyncratic acts of philanthropy in history.
www.ft.com/content/ed1a...
www.ft.com/content/ed1a...
Reposted by Firetail
Lots of good ideas in this @nicolascolin.bsky.social essay:
"The evidence suggests we're shifting from a time when strong execution could mask weak strategy to one where defensibility and strategic clarity are prerequisites for survival."
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"The evidence suggests we're shifting from a time when strong execution could mask weak strategy to one where defensibility and strategic clarity are prerequisites for survival."
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Late-Cycle Investment Theory
The foundation for the coming decade
substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Lots of good ideas in this @nicolascolin.bsky.social essay:
"The evidence suggests we're shifting from a time when strong execution could mask weak strategy to one where defensibility and strategic clarity are prerequisites for survival."
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"The evidence suggests we're shifting from a time when strong execution could mask weak strategy to one where defensibility and strategic clarity are prerequisites for survival."
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Firetail
In one of our futures reports, we suggested “social security for dogs” as a wildcard, to explore shifting norms around animal welfare. It was seen as an outlandish edge case.
The world changes in unexpected ways. The margins become mainstream, sooner than we expect.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The world changes in unexpected ways. The margins become mainstream, sooner than we expect.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'My retired hero police dog deserves a pension'
Owners argue police forces should pay a contribution towards their former dogs' vet bills.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 5, 2025 at 10:14 AM
In one of our futures reports, we suggested “social security for dogs” as a wildcard, to explore shifting norms around animal welfare. It was seen as an outlandish edge case.
The world changes in unexpected ways. The margins become mainstream, sooner than we expect.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The world changes in unexpected ways. The margins become mainstream, sooner than we expect.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In our recent webinar, we explored how innovation funds can be used to drive charitable impact.
This Firetail article from last year explores the broader challenge of how charities' income portfolios fundamentally shape their strategies and cultures.
This Firetail article from last year explores the broader challenge of how charities' income portfolios fundamentally shape their strategies and cultures.
"Such as We Are Made of, Such We Be”: How income portfolios shape strategy — Firetail
All charities need to get their money from somewhere. That money comes with trade-offs. The type of money you raise does not just shape your fundraising, it shapes your whole organisation. …
www.firetail.co.uk
May 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
In our recent webinar, we explored how innovation funds can be used to drive charitable impact.
This Firetail article from last year explores the broader challenge of how charities' income portfolios fundamentally shape their strategies and cultures.
This Firetail article from last year explores the broader challenge of how charities' income portfolios fundamentally shape their strategies and cultures.
We are pleased to share that Anttoni Huiskonen has been promoted to Consultant! Over the last few years, Anttoni has supported and led on projects ranging from climate policy to working with his beloved Leeds United Foundation. Congratulations Anttoni!
May 23, 2025 at 7:44 AM
We are pleased to share that Anttoni Huiskonen has been promoted to Consultant! Over the last few years, Anttoni has supported and led on projects ranging from climate policy to working with his beloved Leeds United Foundation. Congratulations Anttoni!
"Strategy is about choices. Boards can’t hand down strategies on stone tablets for execution by staff. There needs to be a dialogue."
Charity law does not offer guidance on how trustee boards and their executives should work together to set strategy.
This Firetail blog does.
Charity law does not offer guidance on how trustee boards and their executives should work together to set strategy.
This Firetail blog does.
Whose strategy is it anyway? — Firetail
Whose strategy is it anyway? Under UK charity law, trustee boards are responsible for effective delivery of a charity’s objectives. They set a charity's strategic direction and ensure legal…
www.firetail.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
"Strategy is about choices. Boards can’t hand down strategies on stone tablets for execution by staff. There needs to be a dialogue."
Charity law does not offer guidance on how trustee boards and their executives should work together to set strategy.
This Firetail blog does.
Charity law does not offer guidance on how trustee boards and their executives should work together to set strategy.
This Firetail blog does.
Reposted by Firetail
Maybe belief in institutional solutions has become a weakness, a comfortable illusion. Maybe narratives and relationships are all there is.
May 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Maybe belief in institutional solutions has become a weakness, a comfortable illusion. Maybe narratives and relationships are all there is.
Join us next Thursday at 12:00 for our final Lunch & Learn webinar of the series!
In this 45-min session, Jim Clifford and Kirsten Hopkins from Sonnet will join us to explore the opportunities innovation funds can offer to charities.
Register here: buff.ly/09wos6F
In this 45-min session, Jim Clifford and Kirsten Hopkins from Sonnet will join us to explore the opportunities innovation funds can offer to charities.
Register here: buff.ly/09wos6F
May 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Join us next Thursday at 12:00 for our final Lunch & Learn webinar of the series!
In this 45-min session, Jim Clifford and Kirsten Hopkins from Sonnet will join us to explore the opportunities innovation funds can offer to charities.
Register here: buff.ly/09wos6F
In this 45-min session, Jim Clifford and Kirsten Hopkins from Sonnet will join us to explore the opportunities innovation funds can offer to charities.
Register here: buff.ly/09wos6F
On last week’s webinar, we were joined by John Hitchin to tackle a big question: how can organisations truly connect impact, learning and strategy?
If you missed it or want to recap on what you heard, the frameworks and write-up can be found here:
If you missed it or want to recap on what you heard, the frameworks and write-up can be found here:
Firetail Webinar - Connecting Impact, Learning and Strategy — Firetail
In last week’s Lunch & Learn webinar, Andy Martin was pleased to be joined by John Hitchin, the Co-Founder of Stories of Change for a presentation and discussion of how to better connect, evaluation,…
www.firetail.co.uk
April 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
On last week’s webinar, we were joined by John Hitchin to tackle a big question: how can organisations truly connect impact, learning and strategy?
If you missed it or want to recap on what you heard, the frameworks and write-up can be found here:
If you missed it or want to recap on what you heard, the frameworks and write-up can be found here:
Andy Martin wrote Choices in a Crisis, Choices for Renewal during the first wave of the pandemic. It builds on the work of Martin Reeves and five years on, its reflections on leadership, values, and strategic decision-making still resonate deeply. Read the full article here: buff.ly/LsE6kLo
April 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Andy Martin wrote Choices in a Crisis, Choices for Renewal during the first wave of the pandemic. It builds on the work of Martin Reeves and five years on, its reflections on leadership, values, and strategic decision-making still resonate deeply. Read the full article here: buff.ly/LsE6kLo
We are pleased to announce John Hitchin will be joining us for our next webinar. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
April 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
We are pleased to announce John Hitchin will be joining us for our next webinar. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...