Profiles

Mark McKergow PhD MBA

Mark is a global pioneer applying Solutions Focus ideas to organisational and personal change. He has written and edited three books and dozens of articles; his book The Solutions Focus: Making Coaching and Change SIMPLE (co-authored with Paul Z Jackson) was declared one of the year's top 30 business books in the USA, and is now in eleven languages. He is also co-author with Jenny Clarke of Solutions Focus Working and Positive Approaches to Change. His work on Host Leadership has seen him coauthor Host: Six New Rules Of Engagement for Teams, Organisations, Communities and Movements (Solutions Books, 2014) and The Host Leadership Field Book (Solutions Books, 2019).

Mark was instrumental in the founding of the SolWorld (Solutions in Organisations Linkup) conference series, and is a member of the SolWorld international steering group. He founded SolutionsBooks with Jenny Clarke in 2005; their most recent book is the case study collection Solutions Focus Working (2007). He has been elected to membership of Jack Canfield's Transformational Leadership Council, and has worked regularly in the USA and Asia. He was a founder member of SFCT, the professional body for SF consultants, coaches and managers (now superseded by SFIO).

A scientist by training and by nature, Mark continues to seek simplicity and reliability in learning and change. His PhD research in self-organising systems provides a basis for his work, with influences ranging from systems thinking ands brain research to language, narrative and philosophy. His MBA degree specialised in creative and HR management. He has presented on every continent except Antarctica, and is an international conference keynote presenter.

Mark is a member of the Association for Management Education and Development, SFIO, and the Professional Speakers Association. He is Chair of Sunday Assembly Edinburgh, the city's 'godless congregation' who meet on the first Sunday of the month to celebrate life and strive to Live Better, Help Often and Wonder More in a non-religious setting.

An accomplished musician, Mark is fascinated by links between music, learning and the brain. He is also a jazz saxophonist (his jazz orchestra UltraSound attracted backing from the Arts Council of England and recorded 2 CDs back in the 1990s), and he acted as Deputy Leader of the SIM-phone-ya Orchestra, the world's first mobile phone ensemble, at the Cheltenham International Festival. He currently performs in Edinburgh with the Sound of Seventeen Big Band and the Shunpike Social Club street band. He also collects and makes prints.
 

Jenny Clarke MA

Jenny works as a solutions focused facilitator and trainer, helping people who want to change what they do or how they do it. She works with large organisations who are adapting to change, and as a personal coach to managers and directors. Her strengths are in communication, presentation, consultation and negotiation. These, allied with a facilitative style, enthusiasm and human insight make a vital contribution to meeting her clients' objectives.

Recent clients include BP, Freescale, Nationwide, Syngenta, Energoatom (Ukraine), BBDO (Canada) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

She has travelled the world hosting workshops for managers, consultants and coaches and is a regular presenter at the International Alliance for Learning's annual conferences. A founder member of the SOL International Steering Group, Jenny was a key member of the organising committee for the first 2 SOL international conferences and has presented at SOL conferences since then (see www.solworld.org). She was also a founder member of SFCT, the professional body for SF consultants, coaches and managers.