Our work
At CJK, we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve meaningful results. We’re proud to showcase the work we’ve done alongside inspiring partners and the impactful transformations we’ve supported across various industries.
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Here, you’ll find real stories and testimonials from previous clients, sharing their experiences and outcomes. From innovative solutions to strategic insights, each project reflects our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and measurable success.
"The trustees approved the findings of the CJK report unanimously. The process was a very inclusive exercise taking account of many different views. We would certainly have no hesitation in recommending CJK to others. Chris delivered what he said and carried out the whole exercise in a professional and empathetic manner."
Tania Skeaping, Chair Dartmoor MAT
01
Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust
Formed from the mergers of several successful federations, Dartmoor MAT requested a review of its operating model in order to maximise the impact in the classroom.
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CJK worked closely with executive and governance leaders across the trust to benchmark current arrangements, agree 'design principles' for the future, and create a new operating model design as well as a high-level plan for the implementation.
02
TKAT
The Kemnal Academies Trust is one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the south-east of England. In October 2021, TKAT commissioned CJK to carry out a review of its strategy and operations.
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Our work supported TKAT to achieve a vision for standardising, sharing and centralising operational functions based on merit. This included:
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a detailed review of the current back-office arrangements across the trust​
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identification of options for the future and a high-level roadmap to get there
Following the Board meeting to approve the plans, Karen Roberts, CEO said:
“We were pleased with the Trustees’ reaction to the document and findings. We have a roadmap with which to move forward.  My personal thanks to you for guiding us through the process and getting us to a landing position that we’re all happy with.”
"We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for such a comprehensive report. I'm really pleased with the quality and depth of what you've given us, I am quite sure we would not have had the same from others!"
Nicole McCartney, National Education Director. Ormiston Academies Trust.
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Ormiston Academies Trust
Ormiston East had support from Ormiston's central team to accelerate the progress in raising the quality of teaching and learning for all students, while holding trust to Ormiston's core values of being inclusive, community-based schools. ​
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OAT asked CJK to review this model and make recommendations for the future both within the region and nationally. CJK continues to work with OAT as they grow and develop.
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AQA
AQA, an independent education charity providing academic qualifications taught in UK schools and colleges, is increasingly asked by governments at home and abroad to deliver business on their behalf.
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AQA needed to know that any work it applied for met its core values, and that it was strongly set up for delivery. Chris, Ray and Oona from CJK worked with an internal AQA team to help them build the governance, materials and skills necessary to secure and deliver these vital assessment contracts.
"Chris and the team at CJK brought us an excellent set of frameworks, ideas and skills for each aspect of this work.
Perhaps more importantly, their approach was to coach and develop their own people, so that by the end of their engagement with us we were fully equipped to continue the work."
Toby Salt, CEO, AQA
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"What I really like about CJK was the mix of rigour, candour and energy. They helped us clarify our aims and how to get there. Some of the priorities we identified as a result of the independent input were quite different from the ones we had in mind before we started the work."
Rowena Hackwood, CEO, David Ross Education Trust
David Ross Education Trust
David Ross Education Trust hired a new CEO and the leadership team wanted the chance to work as a group to redevelop the strategy and operating model. CJK helped the team to design a leadership off-site and to deliver it. The facilitated event included discussion about values, strategic objectives, autonomy versus standardisation, and development of a set of strategic initiatives.
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As a result, the Trust was clear about its focus on academic excellence, enriched skills for students, engagement with communities, as well as the organisational reforms needed to achieve this.
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Ambition School Leadership
When Ambition School Leadership, a leading UK charity for development of school leaders, needed to know more about the reasons for the high performance of some multi-academy trusts, they contacted CJK to find out.
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Working alongside researchers at LKMCo, our case studies and strategic insight shone a new light on this topic.
"CJK is an important partner to ASL as we seek to bring thinking from outside as well as within the sector".
James Toop, CEO, Ambition School Leadership
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"Chris's session on operating models was excellent - clear, stimulating and of immediate practical value".
MAT CEO participant in ASL Executive Educators Programme
"The review was robust and challenging, but also very helpful for our progression It was like getting a good 'Big Four' consulting experience but at a fraction of the cost."
Peter Marples, Chair of Spencer Academies Trust, CEO of 3aaa education company, and former KPMG partner.
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Spencer Academies Trust
Poised for growth, and about to undergo a leadership transition, the Spencer Academies Trust CEO and the Chair of the Board asked CJK to review their governance, finance and commercial arrangements. Chris, Nicky and Mike undertook a thorough but rapid review using surveys, desk analysis and interviews. Our benchmarking data showed Spencer Academies Trust clearly where it could improve, as well as strengths to build on.​
08
Education Development Trust
Our client was a national education company with an important role in developing the future for young people. Their landscape was changing quickly due to rapid growth of digital opportunities, using a combination of social, mobile, agile and cloud-based approaches, and making increasing use of Big Data and machine learning. ​
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CJK was asked to help find them the right digital strategy and approach. We mapped out their digital needs, analysed the marketplace, identified different partnership options and set out a roadmap for their digital future.
"Chris supported our 'red review' bid gateway for a major UK contract proposal and provided invaluable technical knowledge and support through the process.
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Chris's review and critique was specific, constructive and delivered with the utmost professionalism. It was of immeasurable help to the bid team. We look forward to working with CJK again in the future".
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Education Development Trust