DAVID DEEGAN
Executive Development Director (Special Operations)
Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University
Currently living in Vienna, Austria, I have 30 years’ experience in
talent, learning and development across a range of sectors and up to Board
level, over half of which have been spent in executive development. My ability
to generate enthusiasm and interest is an essential ingredient in the
successful transformation programmes I create. My breadth of experience, strategic
thinking, the ability to foresee risks and opportunities, and varied
interpersonal skills have led to a reputation as a successful trouble-shooter.
I have rescued both colleagues and high-profile projects that were struggling. I
enjoy writing impactful communications that inspire and engage. I love writing
to promote our organisational expertise, and to create visibility for my
colleagues. I have written successful submissions for internationally-recognised
Learning & Development Awards. Clients find I quickly get to the heart of
what is required, and am a flexible, can-do, team-player. I am experienced in
using personal assessment tools to support developmental one-to-one executive
coaching which catalyses insightful conclusions and new directions. My
willingness and ability to trouble-shoot by stepping into difficult
conversations with curiosity and a genuine desire to find mutually-beneficial
solutions is appreciated by colleagues and clients alike.
I ensure that Cranfield continues to maintain its leading edge in executive development. I do this through building breadth and depth of delivery capability, by enhancing the customer experience, by fostering effective partnerships with specialist organisations, and constant promotion and enhancement of our brand. I have written two successful submissions for the European Foundation of Management & Development (EFMD) “Excellence in Practice Awards”. One was awarded Silver (2021) and the second was awarded Gold (2024). I continually improve the customer experience by developing our website, including creating content and ensuring that the customer journey (both face-to-face and virtual) is impactful for individuals and generates repeat business. I support our marketing campaigns by writing, creating and appearing in video-based collateral including programme promos, faculty webinars, interviews and teaser-trailers for development events. I increase our depth and breadth of internal expertise via coaching, mentoring, and the design and delivery of bespoke development programmes for colleagues.
I develop customised learning solutions for groups of executives. I act as the “red thread” throughout the intervention, and work in partnership with each client to embed the solution within their organisation. I discover their requirements, design and deliver the solution as part of a team which encompasses University faculty, and evaluate the impact. I have worked with clients including the Ministry of Defence, Atos, BAE Systems, HSBC, Marks and Spencer, Qatar Petroleum, QatarGas, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Etisalat, and UK Senior Civil Service. I am regularly asked to step in and lead projects that are struggling. I led the revival of our Senior Leader Executive Programme, an Apprenticeship Levy-funded, Business and Strategic Leadership M.Sc. I rebuilt the team and brought in a new leader to continue the successes we had achieved. This Masters level programme has now been delivered to over 300 students from corporate clients include Aon, Asda, Barclays, BBC, Jacobs, Sir Robert McAlpine and Zurich Insurance. I also deliver modules on effective influencing, negotiating, conflict-management and client engagement to our MBA and MSc students.
david.deegan@cranfield.ac.uk