Tom Cummings

Tom Cummings is an Executive Board and senior management adviser. He is also a creative partner, designer and process facilitator for strategic visioning, business performance and leadership development programs. He works both independently and in collaboration with faculty from leading business schools and consulting firms.

Tom is known for his ability to bring new insights, sharp contrasts and fresh perspectives to his client engagements. He draws on 25 years of working with leaders and teams across a range of academic disciplines, industries and financial services.

Tom has served as Global Head of Learning and Organization at Unilever; as Executive Vice President for Leadership Development at ABN AMRO Bank; and as project leader and adviser on Planning and Learning in companies such as Shell, Compass Group, Fortis, and BUPA. Tom has created and co-designed a number of successful business transformation and learning vehicles including Cambridge Energy Research Associates; Executive Learning Partnership; Common Purpose Nederland; European Climate Foundation; and the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.

Tom's work has involved him as a designer and catalyst in hundreds of projects and board retreats across many cultures. Throughout, he has been a confidential counsel to executives and their teams. Tom works with people who wish to engage with complexity and who want to learn how to move between and across different perspectives. The approach helps to integrate experience and anticipate challenges. His work encourages leaders to be present and mindful of their personal impact while sustaining a perspective on their legacy in the wider world. Tom has outlined his approach in his book Leadership Landscapes co-authored with dr. James Keen (Palgrave Macmillan 2008).

Currently, Tom is a board member of the Tallberg Foundation, the International Bateson Institute, the Progressio Foundation and Emzingo and has an ongoing engagement with Triodos Bank.