Creative Problem-Solving and Future-Proofing

What I do:

  • Strategic planning

  • Programme design and evaluation

  • Theory of Change / social impact mapping

  • Academic projects and papers

  • User research and personas

  • Survey development

  • Writing and editing

  • Stakeholder consultation

  • Audience engagement

Case Study

Building an NCACE innovation incubator

Following an impactful collaboration previously with the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange, the Director and Co-Founder approached me to support market research for a new venture. Since arts and humanities research occurs in an increasingly precarious environment, knowledge exchange collaborations are difficult to sustain. Public funds can be wasted if these collaborations, essential in a VUCA world, dwindle. NCACE sought to determine whether its incubator concept would be unique in the market. I conducted thorough market research and provided a comprehensive report, proving both the need and the distinctiveness of NCACE’s Collaboration Lab. Identifying its USP and proposing commercially viable models, I enabled a successful pilot launch just a few months later.

“Diana is extremely thorough and her analysis is both balanced and insightful. She demonstrated the rare combination of intellectual rigour, precision and warmth that makes collaboration both effective and genuinely enjoyable.”

Suzie Leighton, Co-Director at NCACE, University of London

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Case Study

A rose-tinted photo featuring 6 energetic people at a London innovation event. Panel speaker Diana Squires is in the centre, pointing at the camera. On the right are Sam Steele and Dr. Sara Jones whose testimonials feature elsewhere on this page.

Creativity enabled by AI

With £10M seed funding from UKRI and universities, this National Centre - “CebAI” - was established to evolve technological solutions for human/digital partnerships: unlock and expand creativity rather than delegating it to computers. I was hired during my Master’s of Innovation, for user research and podcast production. Building trust and rapport with CebAI’s partners, I co-designed solutions with stakeholders ranging from West Ham Football Club to an international HR consultancy. The podcast series I produced had ~200 listens per episode. At the end of its funding term, CebAI secured a permanent home as the Institute for Creativity and AI at City St George's, University of London.

“Diana Squires' diverse career in creative leadership, from programme design and direction, to theatre management, marketing and media, has brought a rich diversity of thought to her part-time role at CebAI, where she worked as a design consultant. She led on user testing across several important prototypes, market research, and developed strong relationships with external clients.”

Sam Steele, Former Managing Director of CebAI

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Empowering Leaders

Group prompt from a programme I designed for business leaders studying during the pandemic

Leadership can be lonely. Especially in the charity sector, where needs are ever greater and the resources seem to be shrinking. I help CEOs, directors, and managers to:

  1. Identify and utilise assets and resources they might not have considered.

  2. Navigate their way to solutions that are within their reach, and compatible with their values.

  3. Develop roadmaps that consider opportunities and risks they might not have spotted.

  4. Rediscover why they love what they do, and feel even more confident doing it!

“As a leader in the charity sector, the coaching conversations I've had with Diana have been invaluable. She has an exceptional ability to grasp complex situations quickly, ask the questions that really matter, and help me frame my thinking through a strategic, business-focused lens. The resources Diana has shared have been instrumental in developing my leadership skills and strengthening my confidence to navigate difficult situations."

Lydia Nickalls, Head of Music for Life at Wigmore Hall

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  • "Absolutely brilliant. Your research really lights up the imagination in terms of where we could go. It gives real clarity on the direction we could move in. It’s a wonderful piece of work. It’s actually really exciting. Thank you very much."

    Managing Director, City Academy

  • "Every project that Diana touched had a bright outcome. Her dependability for a high level of excellence is very hard to find."

    Scott Fehrenbacher

    Former Senior Vice President, Trinity Western University

  • "Diana’s brain is always in motion and she is ready to problem-solve. She challenges graciously, while remaining empowering. In conflict is able to respond in a problem-solving manner that moves projects forward. She has innovative, practical ideas that add extreme value to our charity."

    Samantha Hers

    Programme Manager, Inner Hope Vancouver

  • "As a trustee at Choices, we really value her impressive ability to think clearly through an issue from many angles and ask all the right, challenging, questions. Diana’s knowledge of the charity sector landscape is also extremely valuable and helps guide the board’s decision-making."

    Sophie Guthrie-Kummer

    CEO, Choices

  • “Diana Squires is a force. A veritable idea factory, she has the passion and drive to see a project through from inception to realisation, and her ability to think critically means that she can foresee pitfalls and priorities with relative ease.”

    Angela Konrad

    Theatre Director and Producer, Vancouver

  • "Diana is an energetic and proactive manager. As a Board member she is insightful, intelligent and supportive of colleagues."

    Claire Meade

    Engagement Networks and Partnership Manager, Bayes Business School

  • “Having worked with and under Diana on various projects, I appreciated her laser-sharp vision, effective communication style, and ability to set achievable goals. Diana is a true professional.”

    Angela Lee

    Marketing Communications Professional

  • "Diana listens carefully, takes feedback seriously and applies it with care and intelligence. She approaches complex material with patience and clarity, distilling it into work that is accessible, credible and strategically useful."

    Suzie Leighton

    Co-Director, National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange, University of London

FAQ

  • Everything is up for discussion, especially if you are with a charity. The best way to start is to share your desired objectives and the budget you have in mind.

  • Working with people who inspire me. Causes that make a tangible difference in the world. Stories worth telling. Teams that value excellence. Room for big ideas.

  • Less social media, more conversations. LinkedIn is it for me!

Ready to work together?

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