This Week at Curzon: Elevating Experiences, Empowering Clients & Embracing Collaboration

3 Minutes

This week, Curzon Consulting delved into enhancing travel experiences, celebrated client success stories, and highlighted collaborative expertise within our global network.

Here’s a snapshot of our latest insights and achievements:


Rethinking the Boarding Experience

The Airport Conundrum: It Was All Going Swimmingly Until We Came to Board the Aircraft

Nigel Brannan shared observations on the airport experience, noting improvements in security processes and customer service. However, he highlighted the boarding process as an area lagging behind, often leading to passenger frustration. Nigel advocates for a reimagined boarding experience that matches the advancements seen in other airport operations, emphasising the need for collaboration between airports, airlines, and ground handlers to deliver a seamless end-to-end journey.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7346443843505930242


Client Endorsement in the Financial Sector

Client Testimonial – Growth Strategy in the Finance Sector

We are honoured to share a testimonial from the CEO of an award-winning income protection provider:

“We engaged Curzon to help us with a key strategic review of options for the organisation, introduced via a Board level recommendation and selected after a full tender process. Across senior management, we have found Curzon to be professional, thorough and adaptive to our needs. This includes considering our mutual culture and being pragmatic regarding our size and resources, always with a keen focus on delivery while maintaining a competitive price. We would be happy to recommend their services as a result.”

This feedback underscores our commitment to delivering tailored, impactful strategies that align with our clients’ unique needs and cultures.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7346117886324748288


Showcasing Global Expertise in Change & Communications

Celebrating Nextcontinent’s Change & Communications Experts

As part of our “Meet the Experts” campaign, we highlighted the insights of three professionals driving excellence in Change & Communications within the Nextcontinent network:

Their perspectives underscore the value of shared insights and collaboration across borders, reinforcing our commitment to delivering transformative change through collective expertise.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7345723000261865473


💬 Final Thought

From enhancing passenger experiences and celebrating client successes to embracing global collaboration, this week reflects our dedication to delivering impactful solutions and fostering meaningful partnerships.

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This Week at Curzon: Strategy, Security & Supply Chain Success

2 Minutes

This week, Curzon Consulting explored the UK’s new industrial strategy, emphasised the importance of digital identity in payments, and celebrated recognition in procurement excellence.

Here’s a snapshot of our latest insights and achievements:


Navigating the UK’s New Industrial Strategy

Insights on the 2025 Industrial Strategy

Gregory Stojakovic initiated a three-part LinkedIn series analysing the UK’s 2025 Industrial Strategy. He delves into its ambitions, potential risks, and the pivotal role industry leaders play in its execution. The series aims to foster a practical understanding of the strategy’s implications and encourages active participation from stakeholders across sectors.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7343958583513939968


Digital Identity: The New Frontier in Payments

Securing Seamless Transactions

As payment systems evolve for speed and convenience, the significance of digital identity in ensuring security has become paramount. Sash Panda & Kanika Kochhar highlight the challenges and solutions in verifying identities, preventing fraud, and maintaining trust in digital transactions.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7343182944477364224


Celebrating Procurement Excellence

Shortlisted for the 2025 CIPS Awards

We’re honoured to be shortlisted for the 2025 CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards in the “Procurement Consultancy Project of the Year” category, in collaboration with Convatec. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering transformative procurement solutions through strategic collaboration and innovation. curzonconsulting.com

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7343544587363266562


💬 Final Thought

From dissecting national strategies to enhancing digital security and achieving procurement milestones, our focus remains on driving impactful change. We invite you to engage with us as we continue to navigate complex challenges and deliver sustainable solutions.

Stay connected with Curzon Consulting for more insights and updates.

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This Week at Curzon: Unblocking Infrastructure, Strengthening Security & Elevating Recognition

3 Minutes

This week, we tackled the core themes of delivery resilience, cross-sector collaboration, and team celebration.

Here’s your weekly roundup:


Unblocking EV Infrastructure

Why is the UK’s EV Charger Roll‑Out Stalling?

Andrew Wilson and Edward Hunt spotlight the systemic bottlenecks behind the stalled deployment of electric vehicle charge points. Despite over 80,000 operational chargers, issues like fragmented planning, misaligned stakeholder incentives, and legacy manual processes are hampering progress.

Curzon Consulting recommends operational transformation—prioritised rollout sequencing, integrated governance, and digitised workflows—to ensure the government’s goal of 300,000 chargers by 2030 stays on track.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7341034157768093697


Cybersecurity Across Borders

Celebrating Nextcontinent’s IT Security Experts

As part of Nextcontinent “Meet the Experts” campaign, we shone a spotlight on three cybersecurity leaders within the Nextcontinent network: Jan Albert (Germany), Carlos Vidinha (Portugal), and André Rapp (Germany).

Their work is central to defending critical industries against advanced cyber threats—and reinforces our commitment to shared learning across borders.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7340678599248666624


NHS Capacity: Bricks vs Brains

Are More Hospitals Really the Answer?

Chetan Trivedi and Serban Suvagau, MBA challenge the assumption that building new hospitals is the solution to the UK NHS bed shortages. With many beds tied up in delayed discharge and new builds over budget, alternative capacity models are offering more impact:

  • Day-case surgical units
  • Virtual wards
  • Community diagnostic hubs
  • Surgical hubs

These targeted, cost-effective approaches are easing pressure without the need for major capital investment.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7340656959630512131


Celebrating Success: Healthcare Team Award

Platinum Recognition in Consultancy.uk Awards! We’re thrilled to share that our Healthcare practice has been awarded Platinum in the Consultancy.uk awards—a testament to the team’s expertise, dedication, and impact.

Huge congratulations to Chetan Trivedi, Serban Suvagau, MBA, and the entire healthcare team for earning this industry-leading accolade.


💬 Final Thought

This week’s highlights reflect our core mission: overcoming delivery challenges, empowering cross-border expertise, and championing smarter, resource-efficient solutions. From infrastructure to healthcare, Curzon Consulting stands committed to delivering systems-led change that drives real impact.

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This Week at Curzon: Rethinking Systems for Smarter Outcomes

4 Minutes

This week, our team explored the power of systems thinking in healthcare, defence, and finance while also celebrating connection and community through one of our prized team traditions.

Here’s your weekly roundup:


Healthcare Workforce: Beyond the GP Numbers

“We need thousands more GPs” — or do we?

Chetan Trivedi and Serban Suvagau challenge the prevailing narrative around GP shortages. While the UK government’s £29 billion NHS funding boost aims to increase the number of trained doctors, many GP graduates are struggling to find positions, even as patient demand rises.

This paradox suggests that simply increasing GP numbers may not be the optimal solution. They explore alternative models, including leveraging pharmacists, social prescribing, AI triage, and prevention-first approaches, to reshape frontline healthcare delivery.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7338895127819546624


Defence Strategy: From Vision to Execution

Reinventing the UK Defence Strategy

Bryan Clark analyses the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, highlighting significant investments: £1.5 billion for new munitions and energetics factories, procurement of up to 7,000 UK-manufactured long-range weapons, and a £5 billion investment in technological innovation, including drone and laser weapon technology. These initiatives are projected to create nearly 2,000 jobs, reinforcing the UK’s position as a ‘defence industrial powerhouse’. Bryan emphasises the need for the government to move beyond aspirational narratives and commit to specific, actionable, and quantifiable strategies to ensure effective implementation.

Check out our concise explainer (which will avoid the need to plough through the report and its references). Visit https://lnkd.in/eyapgzq2

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7338506121428541440


Payments: Unpacking the Decline

“Payment Declined” — What’s Really Going On?

Sash Panda shares a personal experience of a card decline to shed light on the complexities behind payment failures. She reveals that factors beyond account balance and card status—such as the interplay between banks, networks, and merchants—can lead to false declines. With 30% of e-commerce declines being false alarms, businesses face significant revenue losses and eroded customer trust.

At Curzon Consulting, we assist financial services organisations in addressing these systemic issues to enhance customer experience and reduce unnecessary transaction failures.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7338164666629578752


Celebrating Community: Principal Dinner Highlights

An Evening of Chemistry, Conversation, and Connection, Thursday saw the latest in our Partner/Principal Dinner series, where team members Kerris Mackley, Edward Hunt, and Abhishek Roy joined Serban Suvagau for a warm and lively evening at Caravan City. The night featured thoughtful discussions about life, community, sports, and work, with a nostalgic nod to our shared chemistry roots.

A heartfelt thank you to Serban for hosting a memorable dinner, and a special shoutout to Preetesh Sood for organising the evening. It’s these moments of connection that make Curzon Consulting more than just a workplace.


💬 Final Thought

This week’s updates reflect a growing consensus: turning strategy into results demands systemic change. Whether it’s defence, procurement, or energy infrastructure, our focus remains on helping clients remove friction, unlock capability, and deliver measurable impact.

Stay connected with Curzon Consulting for more insights and updates.

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This Week at Curzon: Innovation, Infrastructure & Growth

3 Minutes

From cutting-edge defence advancements to tackling infrastructure challenges and celebrating team achievements, this week at Curzon Consulting has been marked by progress and recognition.

Here’s a snapshot of our latest insights and milestones:


Defence Innovation & Economic Growth:

Harnessing AI and Robotics for National Security

Bryan Clark highlighted recent UK defence breakthroughs, including:

  • The successful execution of the UK’s most comprehensive defence AI trial, enhancing maritime surveillance and decision-making processes.
  • The effective deployment of the UK’s Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) against drone swarms, marking a pivotal shift in warfare strategies.
  • The launch of the remotely operated mine plough, WEEVIL, underscoring the UK’s commitment to soldier safety and the growing role of robotics in modern warfare.

These advancements not only bolster national security but also sustain over 135 specialised jobs, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between defence policy and economic growth.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7335930884283412482


Infrastructure: Progress or Paralysis?

Assessing the State of UK Infrastructure

Nigel Brannan & Andrew Wilson introduced an interactive quiz to evaluate understanding of the systemic challenges facing UK infrastructure, such as:

  • Delayed planning approvals and productivity gaps.
  • Fragmented delivery and legacy systems.
  • Innovations that could transform performance at scale

This initiative aims to provoke thought and discussion on the real-world issues slowing progress and the levers that can unlock performance.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336343228490678275


Celebrating Team Growth

Record-Breaking Promotions at Curzon

We’re thrilled to announce a record-breaking round of promotions within our team

These milestones reflect the incredible talent and commitment within our team.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7335568471449067521


💬 Final Thought

This week’s developments underscore our dedication to driving innovation, addressing systemic challenges, and fostering team growth. As we continue to navigate complex landscapes, our focus remains on delivering tangible results for our clients and contributing to national progress.

Stay connected with Curzon Consulting for more insights and updates.

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This Week at Curzon: Delivering on Strategic Ambitions

3 Minutes

1st June 2025

As the UK faces complex challenges in defence, energy, and public sector reform, the spotlight turns not just to policy, but to delivery. This week, the Curzon Consulting team shared critical insights on the enablers and barriers to achieving national goals.

Here’s your weekly roundup:


Defence & Strategic Delivery

Can We Build Fast Enough to Deliver Defence Ambitions?

The government has committed to a generational uplift in defence investment. But as Gregory Stojakovic and Virginia Arguelles point out, the key question isn’t about money, it’s about execution.

Delivery capability, supply chain readiness, and programme discipline are now the real battlegrounds. Without reforms that drive productivity and remove bottlenecks, record funding risks falling short of the intended impact.

📌 Insight: Unlocking value in defence demands more than funding; it requires agile delivery and strategic project leadership.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7333057292705144832


Procurement Reform & ESG Impact

Procurement Legislation Is Reshaping NGO-Business Partnerships

James Edsberg explains how recent reforms to UK procurement law are creating a shift in the way public sector and NGO partnerships operate. Under the new legislation, suppliers must show serious intent around Net-Zero targets and broader ESG goals.

This is catalysing internal change across organisations—raising the bar on transparency, accountability, and social value integration in public contracts.

📌 Insight: ESG is no longer a ‘nice to have’ it’s becoming a core contract requirement, and businesses must adapt fast.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7333394118015946753


Nuclear Infrastructure & Productivity

Why Nuclear Projects Struggle—and How We Can Fix It

As the UK looks to nuclear energy to strengthen energy security and meet climate goals, Andrew Wilson explains why delivery remains a stumbling block. Chronic delays and budget overruns are often caused not by technical complexity, but by governance and management breakdowns.

Drawing on infrastructure programme experience, he calls for stronger leadership, smarter supply chain strategies, and long-term project discipline to restore trust in major capital projects.

📌 Insight: Productivity and predictability, not just innovation will determine the success of the UK’s nuclear ambitions.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7333756511631929344


💬 Final Thought

This week’s updates reflect a growing consensus: turning strategy into results demands systemic change. Whether it’s defence, procurement, or energy infrastructure, our focus remains on helping clients remove friction, unlock capability, and deliver measurable impact.

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New procurement legislation is having profound impact on the partnerships between business and the NGO sector

5 Minutes

The relationship between the business sector and not-for-profit sector is evolving fast – driven in part by new UK procurement legislation – with implications for how organisations across all sectors adapt their business models and social partnerships.

James Edsberg looks at how the need to deliver both profit and social value will impact fundamental aspects of organisational strategy – driven by recent changes to procurement legislation.

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2013 and The Procurement Act 2023 (which came in to force in February) – along with the regulations and guidance notes published with them – are shaking-up how the private sector bids for publicly-funded contracts.

The numbers involved are vast. The UK public sector spends over £388 billion each year on procurement including the provision of services, materials and equipment.  The top 3 areas of spend being in health, defence and transport.  That’s £1 in every £3 of government spending.  (Source: Institute for Government Report 2024).

Central to the changes in the bidding process is the requirement that suppliers pitching for contacts should demonstrate how any contract ‘maximises public benefit’.  Tenders will now be awarded not just on economic grounds and price criteria, but on a more comprehensive view of value, including social value, sustainability, innovation and community benefit.

Part of the selection process requires bidders to set out a clear, multi-year plan to deliver measurable this value in an integrated way aligned to the government’s missions.

In short, adding a social value and ESG component to every public sector bid and its delivery is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s compulsory and critical to a successful tender.

Importantly, this development is having a ripple effect that goes much wider than the 40 or so companies categorised as ‘strategic suppliers’ for which the government contracts are worth more than £100 million per year.  Here are three emerging impacts among many (and I’ll return to this topic again in future posts…)

First – government-focused businesses also provided services into the private sector – and in parallel, that private sector client base is also assessing their suppliers for the ESG benefits they can contribute.  Public procurement is influencing change in private procurement.

Second – the way large providers create social value, is mostly via the partnerships they have with the VCSE sector (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise).  There is now a greater need than ever for that partnership to work – and to be seen to work – in a way that is much more transparent.  This is evidenced by the much increased focus on measurement, KPIs and demonstrable results,  which is driving deeper accountability and improved programme design between businesses and VCSEs.

Third – the length of engagement in large contracts (both private and public) is prompting a shift away from 12-month projects and a ‘charity of the year’ mindset in the corporate world, to a more committed, multi-year collaboration between the business and social value sector.  All for the good – but requiring a significant change in mindset and expectations on all sides.

One of the long-term benefits which many hope for is that the legislation’s focus on social and community impact, will require partnerships between business and VCSEs to address not the symptoms of a social or environmental issue but the preventative steps that prevent or reduce it emerging in the first place.

Together, these and other changes, are already prompting businesses and not-for-profit organisations to review what they do, how they do it, and the challenging issues around accountability and results.

In turn, this is prompting internal questions about strategic direction, partner selection, programme design, organisational structure, skillset, capacity-building, ability to deliver scale, funding models and the nature of collaboration between the commercial sector with the resources to support change – and the VCSE sector with the lived experience and expertise to shape initiatives.

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Unlocking >£20M in Increased Gross Margin at a Major Health Insurer

The issue

  • Shrinking customer base
  • 13 legacy books and numerous policy variants causing customer and staff confusion
  • Operationally complex to manage – high cost to serve
  • Existing proposition and pricing created trigger points for customer exit
  • Customers not segmented by value
  • No differentiated renewal or save strategies
  • Not pricing for risk or maximised value retention
  • Poor customer journey: passed from function to function, advisors not empowered

Solution

  • Designed and executed a pricing, product and service migration of all policyholders to one new modular product
    • Developed new proposition which drove retention of high value customers and higher return from lower value customers
    • Built in upgrade/downgrade ‘right-size’ choices to mitigate competitor switching
    • Created pricing engine enabling all business to move to NCD-based policies and set renewal premiums to optimise gross margin
    • Cut expected IT lead time to launch from 12 to 3 months
    • Changed customer communications and management processes to de-risk customer disruption and loss
    • Engaged Legal and regulator on ‘automatic renewal’ plans throughout
    • Piloted the transition on 2 highest lapse-risk books to ensure error-free process and no adverse increase in lapse rates

The results

  • Exceeded the £20Mpa gross margin improvement target
  • Reduced customer loss by 25%
  • Improved operating cost ratio from 30% to 16% with greatly improved IT flexibility
  • Excellent customer and FSA feedback
  • Successfully rolled out from personal to SME & Group schemes

Find out how we can solve the key challenges facing your organisation


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