Our People

Keith Collins

"Having worked with non-profit organisations of every conceivable type - and in a number of different countries - since I started in the sector in 1992, I always find something about a client that makes working with them rewarding. Naturally, working with clients to use my experience and knowledge to help them improve is always a good feeling. However, beyond that there is always something else with any organisation that is appealing, either on an intellectual or an emotional level. Sometimes that may of course be a personal connection to the field of work that they are operating in – but sometimes it may be more of an intellectual challenge, grappling with what makes them unique in terms of complexities and needs."

Keith specialises in helping organisations identify, select, adopt and use technology to improve their relationships with all stakeholders. With some clients, this may involve helping identify and select technology solutions to support a new organisational strategy - for others, incremental improvements and new options within the tools that they already have. With experience from every perspective – as a non-profit client, as a supplier of specific technology solutions, and as an independent consultant – Keith can help non-profits ensure that their technology decisions fit organisational strategy, and that the 'softer' side of these initiatives – cultural fit, change management, stakeholder needs – are also factored in. Since 1992, Keith has worked within a number of roles in the non-profit sector. At Christian Aid, Keith oversaw the implementation of a new CRM solution, before moving to Sue Ryder Care to undertake a similar project and to set up their first Supporter Services team, including new business processes to support Gift Aid, Direct Debits and an internal IT helpdesk. Keith then moved to the supplier side, working at Blackbaud Europe to help non-profits implement The Raiser's Edge, The Information Edge and NetSolutions. With a desire to move into independent consulting, Keith then established the technology consulting division within Purple Vision, developing and delivering consultancy offerings including CRM selection, strategic technology reviews, and business process improvement. Following Purple Vision's re-positioning as a Salesforce.org partner, Keith then worked to develop and deliver consultancy and implementation solutions within the Salesforce platform, including engagements with customers and projects across Europe – with a particular focus on German-speaking countries. In the summer of 2017, Keith decided to move back into a more independent consulting role as a Senior Consultant with Adapta, since when he has worked with clients including Shelterbox, Islamic Relief UK, the British Horse Society, the National Children's Bureau, Scope and The Pony Club, on projects as varied as holistic reviews of the IT function; training and advice on GDPR compliance, and the specification and selection of new CRM systems. Credentials and Qualifications Keith is a qualified PRINCE2 project manager, and in his spare time is a volunteer football coach and manager for St Albans City Youth FC.

Mark Dendy

Mark specialises in guiding organisations as they successfully implement digital change. With many years supporting third sector and commercial organisations in using technology to improve their offerings to customers, members and donors, Mark is particularly experienced in the replacement of legacy systems and helping organisations navigate what can be a time of great upheaval. Having performed various roles across operations, sales and HR, Mark brings a balanced and sympathetic approach to projects which can look daunting to clients whose teams may never had been through a large-scale change. Whether it be CRM/membership/donor systems or finance and HR, much of the success is down to careful planning and understanding what lies ahead. As such, one of Mark’s strengths is demystifying the project and keeping relationships within the client organisation and with suppliers positive. Mark’s third sector experience includes projects with the ABI, RICS, various Royal Colleges and Societies plus some organisations using technology to underpin a move to a more commercial focus. His experience of working with banks and car manufacturers means that he is particularly able to bring commercial experience into his work with not-for-profit organisations. You may recognise Mark as a former presenter and sponsor at the popular Memcom conferences. Mark has a keen interest in rugby and golf. He was formerly a rugby referee and now, in his spare time, often spends his afternoons contemplating which tree might be concealing his golf ball.

Mark Luckins

Mark advises senior leadership teams to help them navigate the world of digital technology. He helps charities and third sector organisations determine the right digital, data and technology strategies to enable their mission. In his career, Mark has held various technology leadership roles and has achieved numerous certifications (ITIL, CISSP, PRINCE2, MCSE); academically, he holds a degree in “Operations Research” (better known today as ‘data science’). He helps charities grow the right organisational capabilities to support their current strategic priorities as well as generate value in the longer term. He advises on the specialist staffing and suppliers required to deliver as well as staff and SLT skills more widely. Mark often acts as a fractional “digital technology director” advising senior leaders on digital transformation agendas, major technology investments or simply how to make data and technology provide more value. Mark also regularly helps our clients to kickstart innovation or major new projects, or conversely to turn around stalling or failing change processes. Mark has extensive experiencing working across third sector organisations including marketing, fundraising, beneficiary/member service provision and corporate (finance, HR, IT/facilities). Mark has worked in large international charities (Plan International); the public sector (Houses of Parliament); small international charities (Marine Stewardship Council); UK charities (Crisis) and the education sector (ICAN). He managed teams of over 30 and has built teams from scratch. He has delivered major multi-million projects (CRM, website and data architecture) as well as smaller projects; and he is regularly involved in innovation and helping to save money and reduce overheads. He prides himself on providing commercially realistic, rightsized advice appropriate to the maturity of the organisation.

Paul Stirrat

“I love working for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Knowing I am playing a vital role in developing the sector to ensure charitable objectives are met continues to drive me - especially when I see real tangible benefits to end-users through charities adopting more effective and efficient ways of working.”

Paul is our marketing manager and plays a vital role in developing and delivering our strategic plan focused on our clients' needs. Paul has more than 20 years' experience of working with charities, nfp's and membership organisations, and is truly committed to providing them with an outstanding level of service. As a client focused organisation, Paul will be leading many exciting initiatives to help develop clients, and the sector as a whole, to ensure they get optimal value from their IS/IT investments. Before joining Adapta Paul was the Marketing Manager at Sayer Vincent. During his time he developed a highly successful seminar and strategic shared learning events programme and led on the development of the Charity Accountants' Conference, the UK's largest residential conference for charity finance professionals. Prior to this Paul was a Marketing Executive with the Times and Sunday Times online. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Paul Sypko

“Charities and not-for-profit organisations are demanding users of information systems and digital technology. There’s a clear sense of purpose in the sector, and that shows in how technology is used to achieve impact and obtain real value. Not-for-profits often hold massive amounts of data, much of which is highly sensitive in nature, and they engage in many different ways with a very broad range of stakeholders. Whether it’s using digital channels to support personalised ‘user journeys’ or high-impact campaigning and engagement, or diligently taking care of back-office systems to deliver an efficient and cost-effective service, it’s great to be working in a sector where technology can be used so effectively to make a tangible difference to people's lives.”

Paul is a highly experienced technology management consultant, with a senior-level CIO/CTO background and expertise in areas such as technology strategy development, digital solutions, infrastructure and systems management, function reviews, information security and data protection, and selection and management of technology partners. He has 25 years’ experience of leading high-impact consultancy engagements, the majority of which have been with clients in the not-for-profit sector. Prior to Adapta, Paul held senior roles at not-for-profit specialists Sayer Vincent, Crowe UK, and BlueSpark Consulting. He also brings to his engagements significant experience from the commercial sector, having worked for “Strategy &”, a leading firm of strategy consultants that is now part of PwC, where he was awarded their Professional Excellence Award while leading a large-scale digital transformation and innovation programme. Paul has led assignments for more than 100 organisations, including charities, membership organisations, trade unions, trade associations, royal colleges, professional institutes and other not for-profit and commercial organisations. Paul's recent clients have included ActionAid UK, ClientEarth, Cranstoun, Tate Britain, St. Peter's Hospice, the Institution of Civil Engineers, British Gymnastics, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, the Education Support Partnership, National Children's Bureau, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Lymphoma Action, SPANA, the Woodland Trust, the Trussell Trust, Volunteering Matters and Woking & Sam Beare Hospices. Paul specialises in strategic planning for information systems, function reviews and outsourcing, commercial contract negotiation, project planning, data protection, information security management, business process improvement, and procurement of business applications such as CRM. Paul holds a MA (Oxon) degree from the University of Oxford, having gained a scholarship to read Economics and Management at St. John’s College and the Saïd Business School. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Consulting and has a particular interest in helping others to achieve their potential. Following a long period of time spent on various committees in a voluntary leadership capacity, he was pivotal to the development of the ‘Chartered Management Consultant’ award which was launched in 2020, and he often provides guidance and support to people working towards their professional qualifications. Paul is also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, a Certified Business Advisor and a member of the British Computer Society’s IT Leaders Forum. In his spare time, he is also the chair of trustees for a local Scout group.

“Paul is enthusiastic, dedicated and a highly capable person who works with such integrity and to a high standard. I very much value Paul’s support and guidance and know I can always rely on him.”

Sue Oakley

“Working with organisations in the charity and not-for-profit sectors can be challenging but also very rewarding. The need to be flexible as well as approachable towards our clients is the key to the smooth running of any project and the satisfaction gained when this is achieved is immense.”

Sue specialises in providing administrative support to professional organisations and has an excellent appreciation of the not-for-profit sector. Her role as PA involves arranging meetings and events, producing documents, presentations and other materials, and managing our library of resources. Before joining Adapta Sue spent five years as a team secretary at Sayer Vincent where her responsibilities included typing correspondence, accounts, reports and other documents; producing presentations and materials for courses and seminars, and other administrative tasks. Prior to that she worked at BP for 17 years, working first in the internal audit department and then the investments department. As well as providing full secretarial support, she managed the property and investments libraries and supported BP’s global proxy voting service.

Tracy Grundy

"The desire to make a difference where I can is very important to me and so working with the team at Adapta, who are so driven to help charities and not-for-profit organisations succeed, is very satisfying."

Tracy has considerable experience working for senior management, dealing with HR administration, managing an office and co-ordinating health and safety requirements. Prior to joining Adapta, she spent 18 years at Sayer Vincent, a firm of auditors and advisers to charities and social purpose organisations, where she gained valuable experience. Before that, she worked for many years as the PA to the Senior Partner at Strutt & Parker, a firm of chartered surveyors in London. Her role as Operations and Development Manager at Adapta focuses on the efficient delivery of our back-office support functions, providing financial and administrative support to our consultants, developing new business and assisting with marketing activities.