- What is your name and what is the name of your business?
I am Duncan Wood-Allum and the short name for my business is SLC, the long name for it is The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy.
- What does the business do and who are your customers?
We are a strategic consultancy advising the public sector on sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing. In practice, this means supporting councils to develop sport, physical activity and wellbeing strategies, with projects delivered for cities and places across the UK.
We also advise on and lead feasibility studies and business cases for investment in public infrastructure such as swimming pools, sports and wellbeing centres and parks. Over the past 16 years, we have supported more than £620 million of public infrastructure investment.
In addition, we are the UK’s leading specialists in active wellbeing partnerships. We support local authorities to procure the operation of their facilities and services by writing service specifications, selecting providers to optimise financial and social value. Our approach balances commercial performance with accessibility, using concessions and pricing to support those most in need.
By maximising commercial outcomes, we apply a “Robin Hood” principle that typically redirects around £200,000 per year worth of services, guaranteed over 10–15 years, back into communities to support local infrastructure and those who need it most.
- What’s the history of the business & what’s your role within the business?
In my previous life I was a former junior international hockey player and then completed a degree at Loughborough University before working in community sports provision in Horsham, Horley and Caterham. I set up two new community sports centres before I was thirty whilst studying for an MBA. I then moved into consultancy for a FTSE 100 firm, which led me into many areas including working on the London Olympic Bid and Legacy.
I decided to set up my own consultancy in late 2008 in the middle of a recession (which wasn’t ideal timing) and sixteen years later we are really well established with a team of 7 dedicated professionals and Anna and Toby my fellow Directors have worked alongside me for over 10 years. Our clients often tell us we are the best at what we do. We are making a difference nationally and sharing our learning which we are very proud of.
- How long have you had an office here at Freshmill and why were you looking for a space like this?
We first moved to Freshmill in February 2020. Previously to that we were based in a very old mouldy office in Boltro Road which was practical but offered no joy. Our office manager at the time was sent on a mission to try to find somewhere better and she found Freshmill and I am eternally grateful! The moment I stepped in here I knew that it was right.
- Why does Freshmill work well for you and your business?
We love it here! It is such a great environment. We are not ashamed to bring clients in here, but more importantly, it’s somewhere the staff love to be. It is chilled, it’s collaborative, the Freshmill team here are amazing and it fits with our brand values.
- What is the most important lesson you have gained from your career so far?
I firmly believe you can design your own life in terms of what you end up doing and what you are passionate about…. but, it takes time. I did my first piece of consulting at the age 23 and recognised it was something I really enjoyed. It took me until I was 40 to realise the ambition of running my own consultancy business and every day is a learning experience- you are never going to be the expert in everything. I mentor in schools and I would say the lesson is you have to have a clear vision of where you want to be. You probably have to add ten years to that vision to actually give yourself time to get there, and most of all you need to be tenacious and relentless.
It is also important to remember you cannot do anything on your own. The only way you are going to reach your goals is to collaborate with great people.
- Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?
In five years’ time I hope to have a better work life balance. I would like to be doing more volunteering – I am heavily involved hockey in the south east as an umpire – I also develop new umpires. I also mentor students at Oathall school which is very enjoyable. I feel we need to help young people as much as possible, I think they have been dealt a bad hand.
- What advice would you give your younger self just starting out?
I think it took me until I was about 29 to know my true value and really understand what my potential was. With a humble state school background, I didn’t realise I was as good as others until I did my MBA at Henley. Then I started to be a bit more confident and believe in myself. An example of this that I actually got an invite from Michael Bloomberg – Mayor of New York- to do a study tour of New York city, simply because I had the gall to write to him and ask! I spent nine days in New York learning all about how it runs its parks and recreation services. I also managed to get a keynote speaker slot at an international conference in New Zealand, simply because I asked! It took me until I was about forty to realise, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
- What is your favourite quote/mantra?
‘Let’s Go!’ I think that covers it!
- If you could, who would you switch places with for the day, and why?
I would like to be the prime minister for the day just to experience what it’s really like. I have to work with politicians a lot and I think the world is a very challenging place right now.
