About Ascea

Ascea was formed in 2019 to provide experienced specialist sourcing consultancy. The company was named after the modern name for the birthplace of Zeno, whose philosophical system was based on logic and ethics and reflects the Ascea approach to its consultancy projects.

The ‘USP’ of the business is the high level of experience of its consultants. All of its consultants have decades of experience in sourcing, contracting and change gained in a variety of roles and at senior levels in organisations. Below are short biographies of the Ascea directors. Their capabilities are complemented by a team of associate consultants who meet the stringent requirement to be able to demonstrate the high levels of experience demanded by our clients.

Ascea has a commitment to ethical issues. It supports a charity, Kindled Spirit, which was co-founded by one of Ascea’s directors, Richard Cribb, to empower vulnerable young women to lead a fulfilling and self-sustaining life through a vocation of their choosing.

Gillian Perry

Gillian is and experienced change Manger, Design thinker and Facilitator. She works as an independent consultant to Private and Public sector organisations. She is a Global Director for the Change Management Institute. Gillian has over 20 years of experience in Change Management and brings a creative and analytical approach with many years’ experience in business with 30 years’ experience in the utilities sector. She has worked with FTSE top 250 companies and in the public sector as well as writing articles and chapters on a number of publications. Her first book Managing the People Side of Change was published in 2016.

Ian Hucker

Ian has spent most of his professional life working in the utility sector for a FTSE100 company. During a career spanning over 30 years, He has worked on a number of Industry wide initiatives and have personally led a number of change programmes and large projects. Ian used all his experience to develop his strategic thinking as well as driving into the detail where necessary “as this is where the devil lives”. He has experience of collaborating with industry competitors to deliver optimal outcomes and have partnered with a variety of global I.T. service companies. Working across both the business and I.T. environments has given Ian an insight into balancing business and technical risk to ensure delivery is achieved and benefits realised as seamlessly as possible.

His first book Risk Management in IT Outsourcing was published in 2017.

Richard Cribb

Richard is an IT and Finance professional, with considerable experience in strategic commercial and relationship Management particularly with global IT/BPO Service companies. Previously worked with a UK FTSE Top 20 Energy & Utility company, but has gone onto work across a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, retail and financial services. Over the past 8 years Richard has undertaken a number of assignments on client and supply side, particularly focusing on developing and executing sourcing strategies, defining and implementing supplier relationship strategies, governance frameworks and contract / commercial management.

His first book IT Outsourcing – 11 Short Steps to Success was published in 2015.

Terry Jefferson

Terry is a senior IT professional with extensive experience in blue-chip organisations predominantly covering the Utility sector. Managing a variety of multi-disciplinary teams across a breath of IT and major programme activities, including Testing, Application Maintenance and Support, IT Service Delivery and Business Relationship / Portfolio Management. A proven track record in the delivery large scale transformation programmes, with a particular focus and expertise centred around all elements of Testing. Director for two Smart Metering companies, Smart Metering Device Assurance Ltd and Smart Energy Code Company.

Chris Halward

Chris has been in the sourcing industry since the late 1980s. He has considerable experience in sourcing strategy, supplier selection, governance, transition and exit management, change management and supplier relationship management. He has implemented quality management programmes, delivered organisational change programmes, and for many years worked as a management trainer and coach. He is a qualified business coach and holds qualifications in call centre management and procurement. He also contributed to the development of several international standards relating to outsourcing including ISO 37500 and 30105 and led the development of the GSA’s Global Sourcing Standard. Chris has worked across a number of sectors including the banking and insurance sectors, retail, IT services, global charities and the public sector, both in the UK and overseas. He holds a masters in work-based learning.

Publications

Managing the People Side of Change – 10 Short Steps to Success in IT Outsourcing

There are great benefits to be gained from outsourcing. Many organisations understand the benefits they can achieve from outsourcing but few manage to realise those benefits in full. So often the root cause of that failure is because they have ignored the people factors that can inhibit change and even derail it. In some cases, people may not understand the reasons for the outsource programme, in others people may have reasons of their own for not wanting the change to be successful. Whatever the people side of the change is, all these factors can be successfully managed so companies and staff can fully realise the benefits of outsourcing. In less than an hour’s reading, this book identifies the issues, explains how they come about and gives solutions that will eliminate or, at least, mitigate the major problems and provide a firm basis for implementing the changes and creating a stronger business by fully realising the benefits of an outsource programme.

Risk Management in IT Outsourcing – 9 Short Steps to Success

Risk Management has been a part of Ian Hucker’s professional life – sometimes without him even knowing it. Strange to find then that Risk Management has become a trusted friend that in the main has kept him safe from all those challenges that can impact and even ruin the best of plans and intentions. Inherent in every programme is risk.

Reading Risk Management in IT Outsourcing will make risk management your friend too, as Ian focuses on what has made him successful. In less than an hour’s read you will obtain the guidance needed to plan your projects with confidence. This book shares with you, significant experience, providing insights on best practice to give you the best chance of success.

IT Outsourcing – 11 Short Steps to Success

The book guides the reader through eleven well-explained and easy to understand sections of the various stages of the IT outsourcing lifecycle encompassing sourcing strategy, business drivers, sourcing event, post award governance and supplier relationship management. In addition, the book touches on the importance of effective risk and change management throughout the transformation project.

Punctuated with useful hints and tips, the publication provides a useful insight into the complexities and potential pitfalls, drawing on real-life experiences gained from working with some of the large global IT service providers over the past 15 years.

Kindled Spirit is a dedicated charity working tirelessly to combat the escalating issue of abuse against vulnerable girls and young women, including; domestic abuse, forced marriages, and human trafficking, that plague societies around the world. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the charity has partnered with Kshamata, a reputable Mumbai-based charity, to extend support and bring about positive change in the lives of these women. This long-term, sustainable solution is achieved through a comprehensive rehabilitation model which focusses on trauma therapy, life-skills and vocational training, formal and non-formal education and reintegration into society.

Kindled Spirit (Reg No.1159146) was founded in 2013 by Richard Cribb one of the founding directors of Ascea. The relationship with Ascea helps to raise the profile of the work that Kindled Spirit undertakes and, in some way, contributes financially.

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