Board Reviews

Perspective and wisdom are a powerful combination, and Derek brings both in a way that is truly transformative. When I first met Derek, his ability to offer an external perspective—one honed through a lifetime of building meaningful and impactful relationships with business leaders in both corporate and not for profit institutions—was profound.

I’ve found it’s easy to become too close to a problem, overanalyse it, or even misdiagnose it entirely. Derek’s approach, grounded in humility and genuine care, has helped me and those in our business step back, see challenges more clearly, and find common ground to move forward. He has a rare ability to draw out the best in people while quieting the noise that often clouds decision-making.

The impact Derek has had—both on me personally and on our business—cannot be overstated. His wisdom, guidance, and encouragement to trust myself have been invaluable, and I owe him a great deal of gratitude.

Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Derek. He is a person of utmost integrity, possessing an intuitive understanding of people that is rare and remarkable. His counsel is imbued with wisdom, and I have always found his advice to be grounded in areas where he has genuine knowledge and expertise. While I may not have always agreed with his perspectives, I have always respected that they reflect his sincere beliefs. Derek consistently encouraged me to trust my own judgment, empowering me to make decisions with confidence.

Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Derek Linsell. He has provided unwavering support and encouragement as I have navigated various professional roles and personal experiences. Through our relationship, I have developed a heightened awareness of what good leadership looks like and cultivated trust in my decision-making processes. This journey has led to significant improvements in my career trajectory, reflecting the profound impact of his commitment to me with his wisdom and thoughtful action.

Derek listens deeply and adeptly draws on his crystallised wisdom as a trusted thinking partner, having his timely counsel available really helped empower me find the courage needed to completely reinvent my career and create a purpose-filled life. Through my work with Derek and his encouragement to do my inner-work I’ve discovered remarkable new depths of personal strength and creativity.

Having benefitted from Derek’s insight in helping establish a very productive relationship amongst the senior executive at one organisation, I was pleased to bring him to help at my next two. Derek has a disarmingly simple style that senior executives warm to. He balances this with great insight into how people work and how they can work well in teams. As CEO his reports to me were invaluable in removing barriers to productivity that would never be apparent through the using structural analysis or metrics. He brings great experience to his wise understanding of people.

I highly recommend Derek as a trusted advisor and mentor. His wisdom and insight have been invaluable in helping me navigate complex decisions in my professional life. He has taken a genuine interest in me and my family, offering support that goes beyond mere professional guidance. His deep understanding of my career aspirations has enabled him to provide thoughtful and strategic advice, always with my best interests at heart. Above all, Derek is someone I trust implicitly—an insightful sounding board who has helped me think through challenges with clarity and confidence.

I have known and worked with Derek for 10 years as a trusted advisor and mentor. His wisdom and insight extends beyond just me as an individual—he has a deep understanding of the organization I have worked for and the people around me. His ability to see the bigger picture while also appreciating the nuances of my personal and professional journey is truly unique. He takes a holistic approach, offering guidance that is both strategic and deeply personal. What sets Derek apart is his genuine interest in me, not just as a professional but as a whole person. His thoughtful support and perspective have been invaluable in helping me navigate challenges and grow with clarity and confidence.