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blacklight advisory was founded in 2013 with a vision to build an advisory practice that is fresh, innovative and willing to stray away from the conventional path. we have backgrounds in academia, with practical experience working across industries and extensive experience in the field of professional services.

Our multidimensional team has many years of experience with backgrounds in organisational psychology, management, change, business and behavioural sciences. We have lived and worked around the world and are from all over the world.

We also have an extended associates and coaching network that is world-wide.

Our Team
Ajit Menon
Co-Founder & Principal

Andy Lyon

Co-Founder & Principal

Jack Pijl

Principal

Trevor Hough

Principal

Claire Shenton

HR Consultant

Jason Klimentos

Consultant

Stuart Ralston

Consultant
Our Associates

Alan Zimbler

Associate

Caryn Solomon

Associate

Karen Stefanyszyn

Associate

Jacqui Chadwick

Associate

Veronica Azua

Associate

Gwen Hanrahan

Associate
Our Coaches
Alex Lyon
Alison Smith
Ayshea Khan
Elicia Robinson
Errol Gray
Martin Lüdemann
Melia Easingwood
Nicole Brigandi
Paul Redwood
Petros Oratis
Smita Naidu
Victoria Ward
Our Affiliations
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Contact

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All Rights Reserved.

AJIT Menon

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

My formative years were in India and in profound ways that experience shapes and guides a lot of my thinking today. I trained as a psychologist and have used this learning to work in organisations. Over my career I have worked with organisations of various sizes and complexities around the world. From government, healthcare, media to financial services on all sorts of challenges from changing organisational culture to developing leaders. These varied experiences have contributed to my learning and understanding of organisations and the strategic challenges that they face. I specialise in leadership development; I am an expert facilitator and work with leadership teams and groups. I work with organisational culture; supporting leaders in building a strong culture that will help their businesses adapt and thrive. I am also an expert organisation development professional having worked for many years helping organisations with strategic issues. I believe that one cannot stop learning and am currently in the throes of completing a doctoral programme. At the same time, I also believe that teaching is the best way to learn and I have been visiting faculty in a number of institutions including the London School of Economics and the Tavistock and Portman Trust.

Andy Lyon

OWNER & PARTNER

My first job out of University was working thousands of miles from home, in bandit country… on a tiny island in the Philippines. Whilst my subsequent 18 years in consulting have not always been so tropical – it has been characterised by working collaboratively with clients, under challenging conditions, to achieve exceptional results. My career has been spent with the world’s biggest consulting firms and businesses – my last role being a Director with a big 4 professional service firm where I co-led the organisation change consultancy team across Financial Services in the UK. During that time, I have directed some exceptional programmes to the benefit of thousands of employees. I have extensive experience in culture change, organisation design and programme & change management.

Jack Pijl

SENIOR ADVISOR

Originally I am from The Netherlands but feel like a Londoner now as I have been living here since 2002. I have had over 15 years of global working experience in industry in a senior management capacity in different sectors. I have led large, multi-jurisdictional teams and understand the leadership challenges associated with those roles. Over this time, I have gained tremendous knowledge of work-related issues from stress, performance anxiety to leadership issues and team development.

I offer group facilitation, organisation development with a focus on leadership development, change management and executive coaching. As lead of our systemic coaching offering, I have the pleasure to work with our global coaching panel made up of highly experienced and talented coaches. The coaching work I do ranges from individual, pair, group to team coaching.

I hold an MSc in Psychotherapy and I am a Certified Transactional Analyst, accredited by the UKCP and a member of the BACP coaching division. I am a psychotherapist in private practice and examiner on the MSc programme at Metanoia Institute in London.

Trevor Hough

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am an Organisation Development consultant and registered Clinical Psychologist. I specialise in organisational development & design, facilitation, change management, cultural articulation & communication, leadership development and executive coaching. I hold over 18 years of experience in human dynamics, combining my clinical knowledge with that of organisational systems and business strategy. I have helped many companies to accurately articulate and communicate their underlying culture in order to drive performance, talent retention and competitive advantage. My belief is that a strong and well understood culture is at heart of the worlds most successful organisations.

CLAIRE SHENTON

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am an established HR leader with over 25 years of experience across a range of sectors in large, medium and small organisations. I have a strong orientation towards transforming organisations and through my career, have gained a great deal of knowledge as both an HR technician, and a leader of large teams managing major change programmes. I am fascinated by the power of creating benchmark employee experience and engagement through innovative frameworks that create the environment where leaders can lead and talent can flourish. My passion is spotting, harnessing and nurturing young talent and I regularly work with a number of schools, colleges, charities and youth development organisations to support young people into further education and jobs.

JASON KLIMENTOS

PROJECT ADVISOR

Having lived and studied in Europe, the US, and the Middle East, I have a good insight into various cultures and the challenges of working across international teams. I joined the Blacklight team after completing my MBA at the University of Westminster where I studied business diagnostics, innovative business model design, and organisational resilience & adaptability. This included research into contemporary business challenges such as the impact and contribution of organisational culture and leadership. Additionally, I worked on strategic issues with a client as part of my international consultancy study. Prior to my graduate studies, I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on the hospitality sector. During this time, I experienced many aspects of how these types of businesses work and in managing client relationships – especially during times of significant disruption. In particular it was clear that it is those organisations that are ‘ambidextrous’ i.e., flexible and resilient – that are best able to survive in the face of unforeseen events and thrive in an unpredictable global business environment.

STUART RALSTON

CONSULTANT

I joined Blacklight with varied sector experience. Having obtained a degree in Law with proficiency in advanced Spanish from Exeter University, I went on to launch my own start-up business turning my initial business idea into operational reality. I have also gained project management experience at DFR Developments. At Blacklight, I will be working on multiple initiatives around learning and organisational development. I will help support large leadership development programmes and be involved in facilitating workshops.

ALAN ZIMBLER

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am a former full Professor of Business Administration at the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of the Witwatersrand. I have specialised in the fields of Strategy and Organisation Development and founded my own consultancy in Johannesburg which assisted many organisations large and small in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and United States over a period of 30 years. For the last fifteen years, I was Group Chief Integration Officer for Investec, a member of their Global Executive and an Executive Board Member in London.

CARYN SOLOMON

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am originally from South Africa and split my time between Johannesburg and London. I have a deep interest in and commitment to developing leadership in organisations. I have built my expertise in organisations, leadership and people over many years of consulting, both internal and external. I was the Global Head of Organisation Development at Investec Bank for many years. I teach on Desmond Tutu’s African Leadership programme which aims to build the next generation of leaders across Africa. I support Blacklight as a senior advisor working on leadership and strategic engagements. I run a Masters programme at the London School of Economics on the theory and practice of Organisation Development.

KAREN STEFANYSZYN

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I have held global roles in Organisation Development, Leadership Development, and Talent with a FTSE top 50 company. For the past 20+ years I have explored the nature of human flourishing and the performance of individuals, teams and organisations. I have a continued fascination with the world of work in the 21st century, the nature of organisations and their impact on individuals. I have led a range of transformational change programmes and now majors on coaching senior leaders and emerging talent. I hold an MSc in HR, am a fellow of the CIPD, a certified Integral Coach (ICF accredited), accredited in leading coaching circles, a qualified user of psychometric assessments, trained in trauma release exercises and hold a certificate in mindfulness.

Jacqui Chadwick

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am an Organisation Development consultant and Executive Coach. I draw on my experience to help leaders and teams to look for the route that connects their personal goals with the organisational context and objectives. I have worked as a thinking partner for business leaders and Boards throughout their life cycle across a range of business functions in Financial Services, Manufacturing and Third Sector Social Enterprises.

Veronica Azua

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am an organisational psychologist working in leadership development and coaching for the past 12 years. My area of expertise is designing and delivering end-to-end leadership programmes with extensive experience in facilitating groups and offering 1-2-1 coaching supporting clients to grow through challenging situations. I am expert at combining in-depth psychological insights with pragmatic strategies.

Gwen Hanrahan

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

I am an experienced organisational consultant and coach, specialising in group dynamics, leadership and organisational development. I have worked as in-house consultant and as organisational practice leader with an international consulting firm. I facilitate interventions for leaders to address their strategic imperatives and help them expand their awareness and capacity for impactful collaboration.

Alex Lyon

UK

What I find most powerful about coaching is the unique nature of the relationship. I offer you space and time to think, reflect, gain clarity and increase your awareness of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Together we will dig as deep as you’d like and unlock insights, identifying how to apply them in concrete and practical ways that will have the greatest impact on you as an individual, your team and your organisation as a whole.

Alison Smith

USA

I’ve spent 30 years developing leaders and organisational cultures around the world. I am a leadership practitioner and specialise in helping you find innovative and practical possibilities by thinking differently. My approach derives from my diverse background and education including fashion design, hotel and catering & institutional management in the UK and positive organisational development and change in the USA.

Ayshea Khan

UK

I am qualified as a lawyer as well as a psychologist and have over 20 years practice experience across a range of sectors including the Ministry of Defence and Financial Services. This rich and diverse experience has enabled me to build a unique perspective on coaching leaders who operate in tightly regulated markets and require a diverse approach to their challenges. I will work with you in a collaborative way to unlock potential, both for yourself and your organisations.

Elicia Robinson

UK

I am a corporate social psychologist, leadership strategist and executive coach specialising in creating seamless progress towards change – at personal, interpersonal or organisational levels.

I use this foundation to help you not only attend to the forces of structure and culture, but also capitalise on your strengths and unique opportunities to chart a clear path from where you are to where you want to go. I am strategic advisor to The Association for Business Psychology, and have recently been nominated to join the Board of International Advisors at the University of Exeter Business School.

Errol Gray

SOUTH AFRICA

With a degree in Applied Psychology and Theology, my work began with patients in hospital, prisoners in jail, students in college and families in crisis. My experience now includes a decade of leadership coaching within financial services and coaching C-suite leaders across private equity firms and their portfolio companies. In the coaching relationship you’ll feel a level of support and you’ll experience a level of skilful attention that you will rarely find anywhere else. That’s my commitment to you.

Martin Lüdemann

GERMANY

I have been working as a psychologist and supervisor for 25 years. I consult, support and guide groups and individuals in organisations.  

Coaching for me is about creating a space for joint reflection on all parts of the work including those that are difficult and sometimes strange to understand. My main coaching tool is creating a relationship with the client where openness and trust can emerge and prosper. I think that a good idea, an insight or a question needs a safe space and a trusting relationship to grow.

Melia Easingwood

UK

Having worked in global organisations and lived in Europe, the US and Asia, I have a good insight into different cultures and the challenges of working in multinational teams. Finally, having successfully changed sectors several times throughout my career, as well as navigated through three maternity breaks, I have both the skills and the personal experience to support anyone who is facing a career transition or returning from a break. My coaching style has been described as highly empathetic with the ability to quickly build trusting relationships with my clients.

Nicole Brigandi

UK

I am a leadership coach and business psychologist who partners with individuals, teams and organisations to promote healthy behaviour and connection both in the workplace and in life. My work focuses on identifying and achieving strategic objectives and driving tangible results through leading effectively, working smarter and coping with ambiguity. As a coach, I have worked with top performers, executives and managers across a multitude of industries and organisations, including the Financial Conduct Authority and HSBC in financial services.

Paul Redwood

UK

Over the past 25 years I have helped people enhance their personal performance and enrich their lives and leadership. I love what I do and am constantly learning and developing my practice along the way. As a coach, I listen with curiosity and care to Executives, Leaders and those with aspirations of growth. I help people take greater ownership and responsibility for shaping their situation and how they show up in their words, deeds and lives.

Petros Oratis

THE NETHERLANDS

I am a seasoned business coach and organisation development consultant. I partner with leaders and teams in the midst of transformation, uncertainty and leadership transitions. I draw my coaching and consulting expertise from over 15 years of leadership roles in large multinationals. These experiences allow me to quickly picture my clients in their full context: dynamics in the boardroom, organisational complexity and market pressures. My experience is further underpinned by post-doc studies in the psycho-social and systems-psychodynamic fields that allow me to understand how my clients’ personalities are triggered by the context they are in.

Smita Naidu

INDIA

I have 20 years of experience working with starts-ups, local businesses, multinational corporations and consulting firms in India, the US and Singapore. I help leaders develop their capability in support of leading with authenticity, purpose and significance. I am certified in the Coach for Life & Erickson Coaching methodology, and have exposure to psychotherapy and group relations work, which all form the basis of my coaching approach and leadership development work.

Victoria Ward

UK

I have coached leaders, perhaps leading during times of uncertainty and transformation, or maybe stepping into a leadership role for the first time, for over 20 years. By witnessing and working with, the stories and relationships that are the natural resources of every individual, I help leaders connect with themselves and others, and connect others, in turn, to the bigger stories, missions, values, changes and challenges of the organisation. A coaching relationship, for me, is a collaboration between equals.