New Head of Operations Marks Fresh Chapter for the LCS

20th October 2023

The LCS is pleased to announce that Sarah Wooledge is the new Head of Operations for the LCS as part of major changes to the organisation that have resulted from succession planning activities this year.

Sarah is a highly experienced lean practitioner, having held senior management CI roles in several organiations, including the Bank fo England, NHS Blood & Transplant, the BBC and The Binding Site. She has used the LCS extensively and holds the Level 3 award – the highest LCS qualification.

Simon Elias retires

Simon Elias steps down from the LCS Director role he has held from the inception of the LCS in 2005.

In explaining the reasoning for the changes Simon commented,

“the rationale for the change is straightforward: the growth and success of the LCS means that it now needs an updated strategy, fresh leadership, an enhanced organisation and more resources to meet the challenges and demands that growth brings and also to exploit the opportunities available.

In addition, as I approach my 66th birthday this year I (reluctantly) realise it’s time to slow down after 45 unbroken years of full time work! This will also mark the end of my 26 year relationship with Cardiff University – an experience that has been stimulating, full of great challenges and very enlightening.”

New owner

The company that holds the LCS University licence, Lean Competency Services Ltd, (LCS Ltd) is now owned by the Reinvigoration Group.

This business was founded by two graduates of Cardiff University’s Lean Enterprise Research Centre’s MSc in Lean Operations and has built a strong reputation and significant expertise in continuous improvement services. Reinvigoration has been using the LCS since 2010, so has a deep knowledge and understanding of the system and is fantastically placed to develop the LCS further in the future.

Referring to the new owner, Simon Elias said

“In addressing this task, it was important to me that any new steward of the LCS brand had a clear grasp of the LCS proposition and its underlying values and philosophy that would allow it to build on what has been achieved and take the enterprise to the ‘next level’.”

Key points about the change

• LCS Ltd will continue as a separate company, managing and developing the LCS with its own dedicated management team.
• Current staff will continue in their existing roles.
• Existing confidentiality protocols will be maintained and LCS Ltd will remain at ‘arms length’ from its parent.
• Together with Cardiff University, a new LCS governance body will be created to provide ongoing high level quality assurance oversight.
• Simon Elias will continue working with the new team for some time to ensure a smooth handover and the continuity of business operations.

For further information, contact Sarah Wooledge.