Team
Ralph Poole has extensive executive experience enabling teams with knowledge, learning and process methodologies. He has led transformational initiatives that incorporate Social Media, Knowledge Management, Executive Education, and Business Research in global companies. He held senior executive positions in four of the world's premier management consulting and IT consulting firms: Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Ernst &Young LLP, and Capgemini (a French IT consultancy). At Bain he was responsible for business research, knowledge management and learning from Associate Consultant through Partner. At Ernst &Young and Capgemini, he created the Centre for Business Knowledge and, as Chief Knowledge Officer, led the effort to combine Knowledge, Learning and Methods to improve consultant skills, make learning delivery cost effective and to guide the efficient execution of projects. With projects of this magnitude, all of his interventions involve technology implementation and significant change management components. Ralph is an expert at managing change in large geographically dispersed global organizations.
Ralph was an early adopter of new social media technologies and he has incorporated his understanding into Coherence Group's service offerings. He writes several popular internet weblogs: What Ralph Knows, about application of new technologies and there business implications; Learning to Change Business, about business education and leadership development; and the Coherence Group blog, about knowledge, learning and methods. In addition, Ralph led new product and service innovation programs in global companies and now consults and trains on implementing innovation strategies. Ralph is the President of Coherence Group, Inc. (ralph.poole (at) coherencegroup.com) and a Partner at Bridge Consulting International; a UK leadership development consultancy.
Ilian Iliev is finalising a PhD thesis at the Judge Business School on the topic of 'Innovation Finance in Emerging Markets'. Prior education: BA (Political Studies, International Relations, Economics); BA Hons (Economics); MCom (Economics) from Wits University, South Africa. Ilian has won numerous academic awards, including Best Political Science student in South Africa in 1997, and a 3-year PhD Scholarship by the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust.
During this time Ilian has founded several companies:
(2006- ) co-founder and joint-CEO of CambridgeIP, a Cambridge University start-up providing IP support, mapping and advisory services to innovative high-tech enterprises and their support organisations.
(2004-2006) co-founder and joint-CEO of DiagnovIS, an award-winning biotech firm, commercialising a technology for the diagnosis of Malaria and other tropical diseases.
(1997-2001) co-founder and past MD of Satipimpex, an electrical industry company operating in Southern Africa, with 100+ employees between Mozambique & South Africa. Still operation, but no longer actively involved.
He has also worked as a strategy and policy consultant:
(2004-present) work as an independent advisor with the Judge Business School and Bridge Consulting International on various Leadership Development programs, focusing on strategic management, innovation, and senior leadership development. Key projects include strategy and innovation advisory work for the Senior Partner, Board and leadership of Allen & Overy LLP, one of the top 10 global law firms. In the past, he has consulted for South Africa's Department of Trade & Industry, Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport & Communications and the London Development Authority on innovation policy. He helped Library House and EEDA in the design of 'The Gauntlet', an evaluation & screening tool for investors looking at innovative start-ups, rolled out in the EEDA's £1mln Business Plan competition. In addition Ilian regularly advises UK, South African and East European technology companies on their growth & innovation strategy.
Publications: His publishing track record includes chapters in 5 books and articles in the popular media on topics of innovation. He is a regularly invited speaker in forums, speaking on innovation management and policy, and on changes in the legal industry.
Media Profile: He has been profiled by Bulgarian National TV, interviewed by Deutsche Welle radio and Bulgarian business media. His startup DiagnovIS has been profiled by Red Herring, UK media and Der Spiegel.