Guillemot was founded on a simple belief: that culture is not a byproduct of strategy - it is the living system that makes strategy possible.
We are an independent consulting practice working at the intersection of brand, culture, and transformation. Founder and Director Steph Matthews works alongside a carefully chosen network of expert collaborators - the Guillemot 'flock' - bringing the depth and range of a larger firm with the agility and attention of a small one.
We choose our clients as carefully as they choose us. We work with visionary founders, ambitious leadership teams, and purpose-driven organisations who believe their work exists to do more than extract value. With leaders who want to leave their teams, their communities, and the wider world in better shape than they found them.
Our experience spans sectors and growth stages. We have a particular interest in purpose-driven SMEs, budding or fully-fledged B-Corps, businesses and non-profits in the Blue and Green Economy, and fast-growing brands that want to scale without losing their essence.
We are not a large firm. We do not take on more than we can give our full attention to. Every engagement begins with deep listening - fathoming the moment you're in, right now, and the future you're trying to build.
Guillemot is based in Chettle, in the heart of Cranborne Chase AONB in Dorset. This landscape - ancient, layered, quietly resilient - shapes how we think about change and what it means to build something that lasts.
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FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Steph Matthews
Steph has spent 25 years supporting brands and organisations through pivotal transformations. Her work focuses on helping leadership teams shape the strategies and cultures they need to thrive through change.
Through Guillemot and previous senior roles at leading UK-based and global consultancies - Sparknow (now Hyphae), Interbrand, BrandCap, Yonder Consulting, Dragonfish - Steph has partnered with organisations across sectors, from international NGOs and public institutions to businesses building something genuinely different. Her background is in brand and culture consulting, and she brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, creative instinct, and human depth to every engagement.
Steph is also an ICF-accredited transformation coach (Animas) and a student of applied foresight, systems thinking, regenerative business, and the wisdom of nature-connected practice. She founded Guillemot to bring these capabilities together, going deeper than conventional consulting to help create and serve better futures for all.
Clients have included BGF (formerly Business Growth Fund), British Airways, British Council, Budgens, Coty, Environment Agency, Grant Thornton, Hays, International Alert, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Janus Henderson, King & Wood Mallesons, Musgrave, Network Rail, Ocean Energy Pathway, Pearson, Raspberry Pi, Rosewood Hotel Group, Royal Ballet School, SThree, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), THEUNSEEN, Tennis Wales, University of Cambridge, Waterloo Uncovered, and Welsh Athletics.
The Wider Circle
Guillemot is a flock at heart.
Our network of trusted collaborators includes systems thinkers, futurists, AI adoption specialists, operating model and organisation designers, business strategists, executive coaches, brand and marketing professionals, and creatives of all kinds. Expert practitioners in their own right, they bring complementary skills and worldviews that extend our capacity across the full range of client challenges. Together, we go further than any of us would alone.
If you'd like to explore a collaboration opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.
Meet the Flock
Brilliant practitioners. Trusted collaborators. Seasoned pros.
Our network is made up of people who are leaders in their field. Together, we share a commitment to helping organisations see clearly and change well, whatever the future holds.
Associate
Alice Huntley
Participative Insight & Foresight | Strategic Storytelling & Corporate Communications | Systems Change
Associate
Emily Monsell-Holden
Brand & Culture Strategy | Marketing Mentor | Communications Leadership | Experience Facilitation
Associate
James Holden
Business Psychology | Facilitation | Executive Coaching | Leadership, Change & AI Adoption
Associate
Julian Dailly
AI Strategy Leader | Helping SMEs, agencies and scale-ups adopt A.I., grow faster and exit better
Associate
Katharine Williams
Executive Coach | Speaker | Leadership Consulting | Culture Diagnostic | Team Facilitation
Associate
Laura Humphrey
Storytelling for Change | Creative & Participatory Facilitation | Strategic Foresight | Artful Experience Design
Associate
Marcia Muphy
Operating Model Development | Work System Design | Organisation Design | Business Transformation
Associate
Teri Henman
Purpose-led Brand Creative | Commercial Creative Leadership | Campaign & Content Strategy |
Social Impact Advocacy
Associate
Laura Humphrey
Storytelling for Change | Creative & Participatory Facilitation | Strategic Foresight | Artful Experience Design
Associate
Mark Watson
CEO Advisor & Executive Coach | Leadership as a Human Experience | Strategy Implementation | Emotional Intelligence Advocate
Partnerships
Joining forces with other specialist teams to extend our impact.
Partner
Hyphae
Hyphae are change activators helping clients across sectors identify, embrace and create change from the personal to the planetary.
Our partnership focus:
Foresight | Story & Narrative for Change | Cultural Audits & Assessments | Facilitation & Participatory Projects | Creative Assets
Partner
Blue Door
Blue Door is a strategic and creative accomplice to world-leading brands, academics, NGOs and governments.
Our partnership focus:
Insight & Innovation | Leadership & Capability Programmes | Sustainability Consultancy | Content Creation
Partner
SANDBEE
SANDBEE is a creative consultancy partnering with ambitious businesses to build brands that are resilient, responsible, and remarkable.
Our partnership focus:
Brand Identity | Employer Branding | Event and Initiative Branding | Launch Planning & Creative Campaigns
WHY 'GUILLEMOT'?
The company was named after the extraordinarily brave and resourceful Guillemots who nest on the cliffs of Durlston, near Swanage on the nearby Jurassic Coast. Their "jumplings" leave the nest earlier than most seabirds, and are amongst the deepest divers. Their beautiful, uniquely patterned, conical eggs are cleverly adapted to their environment. It all felt very apt.
Check out John Hegley's wonderful poem, 'Guillemot' for his brilliant take.
