About Caryn Vanstone
admin June 18th, 2007
Caryn is an organisation consultant specialising in complex change projects.
Caryn works with many different organisations - from the large global corporations through to small local organisations, non-profits etc. The main orientation of the work is often re-engagement and/or innovation based culture change, through high participation processes - most often informed by the philosophy of Appreciative Inquiry.
Caryn is a consultant and Business Director with Ashridge Consulting, a niche change consultancy working through around 70 consultants, in 15 languages, around the world. This highly diverse group organises itself around the principles of sustainable and ethical practice, working WITH (not on) clients and an informing belief that the necessary wisdom for change is already present within the clients’ relationships and practice. Consulting is therefore a combination of challenge and support that enables the client to discover their own capacity. Caryn’s advocacy and thought leadership comes from many years of study and practice in industry, but this is coupled with a strong sense of curiosity and inquiry which engages and enlivens the innovation and intelligence within the client’s own organisation.
Her approach is integrated rather than eclectic, coherent rather than dogmatic – and she is dedicated to high participation and adult engagement – leading to high degrees of ownership for results.
Caryn’s practice and research is deeply influenced by the ideas of social constructionism and complexity - in particular the work of Ralph Stacey at Hertfordshire University and David Cooperrider at Case Western in the US (amongst many others). Caryn has been developing a European take on the philosophy and methodologies of Appreciative Inquiry, blending the informing ideas of complexity and emergence with taking an unconditionally positive and generative stance on change. In recent times she has presented her thinking at several global conferences in Europe, the US and Japan, sharing the stage with Harrison Owen, Diana Whitney, David Cooperrider amongst others.
Caryn worked for 7 years in the post-privatisation era in the UK Water Industry, she consulted on projects including outsourcing, customer centricity, IT system change, individual/team development and major restructuring and re-engineering programmes. She supported people through high levels of conflict, downsizing and personal transition.
Since joining Ashridge Consulting in 1999 she has led many highly innovative culture and people engagement projects for Corporates including O2 (the UK’s leading mobile telecommunications company), Nokia Corporation and American Express. She also works regularly with BP, and the BBC. She has also taken on unusual projects for communities like Worth Abbey (Benedictine Monastery and School).
She has an MSc in Organisation Consulting and for the last 8 years has been a Tutor on the Ashridge Masters in Consulting.
Caryn lives in the South East of England with her partner Bruno and 17 year old son, Matthew.
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