Our Background
We have developed Wood For The Trees based on tried and tested methods allied to our years of experience.
From our years of experience, we know the importance of structured problem solving, the value of fresh air for fresh thinking and the necessity of thoughtful planning for effective delivery.
Mike Wistow
Mike Wistow is an accomplished Chair, consultant, facilitator, director with over three decades of experience driving performance improvement, managing structural change, and guiding governance across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Through Aegir Consulting, and the Wood For The Trees approach, he blends strategic vision with practical, hands-on execution.
He has been Chair of two national Research organisations which focus on driving practical improvement:
- UKSCS - the UK Society for Co-operative Studies
- NPRIE – the National Probation Service Information & Exchange
| SECTORS | |
| COMMERCIAL | Governance Development, Airport, Manufacturing |
| PUBLIC | Probation/Courts, NHS, DWP, Local Government, Further Education |
| MUTUAL | Retail and other Co-ops, Housing |
| CHARITIES | National Awarding Body, Refugees, Victims of violence, Community Arts |
| CORE SKILLS |
| Governance & Board Leadership |
| Change Management & Delivery |
| Systems Thinking & Lean |
| Facilitation & Engagement |
| Policy & Implementation |
| Information & IT Strategy |
| Visualisation of data |
Like David, for most of my life I have walked in the hills, by rivers, in parks and loved the creativity this has generated in my thinking.
: Mike Wistow
David Leech
David Leech FRSA is a highly experienced HR leader whose key strengths lie in combining strategic insight with practical execution. He excels in HR transformation, workforce performance, and employee engagement, applying commercial thinking to deliver measurable business outcomes.
Beyond Human Resources, his career has encompassed, banking, sales and marketing.
His work is underpinned by strong systemic awareness, enabling him to understand how culture, leadership, and processes interact. Known for credible, human‑centred leadership, he builds trust and develops others through coaching and mentoring. He also demonstrates problem‑solving skills, delivering clear, pragmatic solutions in complex organisational environments.
| SECTORS | |
| COMMERCIAL | Lloyds Bank plc, EY, Investec, CMS, Rio Tinto, Hitachi Consulting, RWS plc |
| PUBLIC | Office of Fair Trading |
| CHARITIES | Help Counselling, Home Start Bristol, Chrysalis Supported Association |
| CORE SKILLS |
| Restructuring, M&A |
| People performance and workforce optimisation |
| Organisation Development and change management |
| Staff retention and engagement |
| Systemic thinking and analytical insight |
| Facilitation |
I’m an experienced former global Human Resources Director who loves the inspiration and creativity fostered by the outdoors, and the energy it brings to professional thinking and working life.