New Year Reflections on a Successful First Six Months

The Dean Knight Partnership, launched in June 2005, reflects on a successful first six months and looks forward to the year ahead.

Keith Knight, who leads the Dean Knight Partnership's services in architecture, conservation and the development of historic buildings, says

'I brought a full workload from my previous business, Keith Knight Associates, and everything we do is now under the Dean Knight brand. The highlight of my year was the success of the Institute of HIstoric Building Conservation (IHBC) Annual Conference which we organised in York in July.'

Keith has recently completed a series of Conservation Area Assessments for Rydeale District Council and has continued to work with community organisations and individual clients. He is currently commissioned to work on the development of St.Clement's Hall in York and Prospect House in Thirn in the Yorkshire Dales.

For Janet Dean, the launch of The Dean Knight Partnership is her first business venture following a long and successful career in the public sector.

Janet has had a busy six months with a varied portfolio of work, including:

• Advising the East of England Development Agency on its role in the development of six Local Area Agreements and producing a project plan.
• Facilitating the production of a new strategic and business plan for South Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council by supporting and challenging its Execuitve Team in a two day workshop
• Leading a cultural change programme as Interim Director of Housing at Hull City Council to drive up performance in the service and ensure a legacy of effective management skills and processes remains in the organisation.

Of her first sixmonths, Janet says 'I expected a slow start, but I have been overwhelmed by how much exciting work there is to do. My experience so far has generated a wealth of ideas about how we want to develop the Dean Knight Partnership.'

The Company is ideally placed to work with public and private sector clients and partners, and with community and voluntary organisations. 'Our previous experience and current work crosses all sectors, says Keith, 'and we have particular expertise in working with multi-agency partnerships'

'We are being approached by prospective clients for a range of services and we are keen to respond', says Janet. 'In 2006 we will be focusing our business on the following services:'

• Short and medium term project management and capacity builiding to help organisations to manage change effectively or to improve performance or develop services.
• Specialist advice to organisations and developers delivering regeneration projects or managing change, especially in historic environments.

In order to ensure that the company can deliver these services the Dean Knight Partnership will be increasingly providing experienced associates to work with clients on a wider range of projects.

'We also see our business expanding through more work with Building Preservation Trusts, especially across Yorkshire and the Humber, says Keith, 'and we are keen to explore the development of the historic builidngs supply chain through our newly established 'Restoration Network'

Contact The Dean Knight Partnership for more information about how we can help you manage change and build sustainable communities.

We also want to hear from individuals and companies who might work with us as Associates