Ethos

Special Thinking

We pride ourselves on thinking differently from other consultancy firms and occupy a unique position between strategy & search; investors & boards; east & west. Our company ethos is best described as 'special thinking', a phrase that comes from the direct translation of our Chinese name 思特. 

'Special Thinking'  succinctly captures the way that our work is thought-provoking and thoughtful, providing insights that are both unusual and farsighted. Starting in 1997, we have worked with the Worshipful Company of information Technologists* to organise 5 Colloquia on the Ethical and Spiritual implications of the Internet, a topic with increasing relevance in the modern world. Speakers have included Baroness Onora O'Neill, Warren East, Richard Chartres, Steve Shirley, Bob May, Rowan Williams and Vittorio Colao. From our first visible project on evaluating investments in innovation to our ongoing project on financial system stability, special thinking is at the heart of what we do and who we are. 

*The WCIT is the 100th livery company of the City. One of its panels (committees) is the Ethical and Spiritual Development Panel. Nicholas Beale is Vice Chairman of this.

Charity

Integral to the company is our ethical and charitable ethos; we give 10% of our profits to charity. Of this, 10% is allocated by the non-Director staff to charities of their own choice. Since 2008 we have supported over 75 charities including KIDS FOR KIDS, Glass Door Homeless Charity and Water Aid.