Leadership Team


Claudius Cole BEng. MBA. PGCE. CMC – Head of Consulting

Claudius completed a BEng Manufacturing Engineering and wrote his dissertation on ‘The Application of Statistical Techniques in Process Improvement’ based on the work he carried out for his sponsoring company after being trained in ‘Six Sigma’ techniques in 1992. Following graduation, Claudius worked in Operations Management before taking up an internal consultancy role. He was trained in ‘Lean Manufacturing’ by the Shingijutsu Group (world renowned group of lean manufacturing consultants made up of former members of the ‘Toyota Autonomous Study Group’ – the original developers of the ‘Toyota Production System’).

Claudius has effectively utilised ‘Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)’ since 1996 in achieving significant productivity gains and cost reductions. In wishing to become a ‘TPM Expert’, he wrote a dissertation on TPM whilst studying for a part-time Masters in Business Administration This involved carrying out extensive research into organisations that had successfully implemented TPM and examining what lessons could be learnt from their experiences.

Claudius also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Post Compulsory Education and Training) is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a BQF Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with over 18 years of training and consultancy experience across both the manufacturing and service sectors.


Lee Kirkland BSc. PGCE – Head of Training

Lee holds a 1st Class Honours BSc Management & Logistics and has over 16 years of cross-sector project delivery experience.

She holds a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning) which certifies her competence in curriculum development, training delivery and trainee assessment.

As a BQF Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt she delivers training on both public and in-house Champion, Yellow, Green and Black Belt programmes. Her innovative training incorporates group case study exercises and simulations and has a fun and practical ‘learning-through-doing’ emphasis.


Rebecca Darlison – Head of Administration

Rebecca’s early career was in sales and customer services within the travel industry. She then went into the insurance sector where she carried out a number of senior administrative roles.

Rebecca has responsibility for all of Claudius Consulting’s administrative processes and provides client, trainer and consultant support.