Sonnet and our values
We are a consultancy that provides financial, strategic and impact advice to organisations that want to improve their business performance and social impact.
As a Community Interest Company, we are proud to have committed to transferring 65% of our profits into a fund available to support social research programmes and other activities designed to address issues within the sectors we work in.
Our approach
We believe that every organisation that cares about its impact should be able to benefit from expert advice and guidance.
We can act as a sounding board, sharing in the development of solutions. We can manage the whole process or ‘chip in’ where we’re most useful. However we work, we keep our clients involved at every stage so they can both lead and learn.
Reinforcing people ownership, leadership and pride
Facilitating collaboration to build solutions together
Sharing knowledge and practices to empower teams
Articulating collective intelligence
Our team
Helen Webb
Executive Assistant
Biography
Test Person 1
I bring over thirty years’ experience at senior PA level and office management. I have excellent organisational and time management skills which help me support the demands of an ever-growing, busy team. I have experience in both the charity and corporate sector which gives me insight and understanding into the wide range of areas in which an organisation can benefit from our support.
I enjoy the challenges that come from being involved with and supporting a team that is so impact focused, and seeing the difference measuring impact can make on any organisation. The support we provide does make a real difference to people and it feels good to know that we are bringing positive change through the work that we do.
Kirsten Hopkins
Senior Consultant
Biography
Kirsten Hopkins
I am an experienced business consultant who has worked across sectors in Southern Africa, Europe and the UK. I’ve led large incubation, change and improvement programmes to enable organisations to grow and excel in their mission, including on digital transformation. Having worked within very complex systems and partnerships, I bring a wealth of experience in better determining how cohesion, collaboration and communication can be built and nurtured and as a result, have built many strong, varied and productive partnerships to achieve this. My expertise in service design, impact measurement and social innovation, enables new, fresh and ‘out-of-the-box’ perspectives to tackle social issues. My background in business development has also helped organisations to generate and diversify income. I am also an international speaker, coach and trainer who delivers content on social innovation and service design.
Having worked with many individuals, leadership teams and organisations to develop strategy and deliver organisational design, I have a deep and practical understanding of the conditions required for change – but it still keeps me up at night.
Being curious and inquisitive by nature, I delight in unveiling the motivations, roots and barriers to systemic change and with a problem solving approach, always try to seek and source the best solutions to catalyse change.
I have a particular affinity to a focus on social challenges relating to children, young people and families (especially those which may create greater vulnerability) – and as a budding futurist – the impact of modern and emerging technology on society.
Jim Clifford
Chief Executive
Biography
Jim Clifford OBE, Chief Executive
With over thirty-five years in managing and advising social enterprises, charities, public agencies and private sector organisations facing all sorts of opportunities and challenges, I can draw on so many real life situations, experiences, and solutions. An accountant and corporate financier by origin, with experience in insolvency and turnaround, expert evidence and investigation and valuations, from around 2004 I developed specialisms in impact measurement, social research and social investment. I now lead complex and strategic projects with clients in all sectors tackling re-imagining their business, planning for the future (including exits), merging and forming strategic partnerships, fundraising, addressing governance and structural issues, understanding their situation and the systems around them, and managing, measuring and valuing their impact.
It matters to me that I create an impact – positive social, environmental and economic change – for others, and I want to inspire, encourage, guide and enable others to make an impact too. I do this by supporting and advising clients, by my academic research and teaching, by working in policy influence, lead-authoring the EU impact measurement standards amongst others, and in creating Sonnet. I love tackling apparently simple, but in reality challenging, questions, such as what is the value brought by a social tenancy; how can children’s adoption placement work better; how can we merge two International NGOs; or how can private business make a difference?
Jake Kemp
Executive
Biography
Jake Kemp, Executive
I bring a strong understanding of impact at a human, strategic and organisational level having worked with clients of different sizes, models, areas of need and scope of operations. I bring experience of mixed methods investigation and research, spanning workshops, interviews with service users or customers and stakeholders, and developing financial evaluations of the outcomes achieved. I have deep insight into how an understanding of impact can serve as a catalyst for organisations to better understand their services, their clients and service users and the spaces that they operate within. The challenge of finding new and meaningful ways to communicate impact – simply, compassionately and in an engaging way – is something that I really enjoy.
There are ways for positive impact to be realised in every setting and situation, unpicking systemic and societal issues helps us to get to the heart of issues and begin to think about the levers to pull to change things for the better. Throughout my work, I have learned that impact applies to any organisation and therefore everyone has the potential to be a force for good.
Tim Gage
Finance Director
Biography
Tim Gage, Finance Director, Senior Consultant
As a Chartered Accountant with over thirty-five years’ experience in in-house management and advisory roles spanning the public, private and charity sectors I bring expertise in financial and business analysis, accounts preparation, financial systems and controls, evaluation of loss, and corporate governance and compliance. Sound information and information systems underpin all great organisations and I help clients to ensure they are simple understandable and reliable. I have also taught accounting, financial management, and corporate governance at degree level, and build clients’ organisational and individual learning in these areas so they can better manage their businesses and operations.
With a world increasingly focused on social and environmental impact as well as operational efficiency and financial sustainability I am excited about using my skills in this wider arena, setting my financial, operational and governance insights against others’ impact ones. Sonnet embraces so many ages, backgrounds and viewpoints amongst its team. Yet all its staff are focussed on achieving positive impact for themselves and our clients: what a privilege it is to be part of that.
Lucy Clague
Manager – Financial & Advisory
Biography
Lucy Clague, Manager
I am a Chartered Accountant, with specialisms in Transactions and forensic work. Having joined Sonnet in June 2022 from the Forensic Services team at PwC, I bring experience in advising buy-side and sell-side clients through a merger or acquisition; developing financial models to quantify loss and damages for clients going through a dispute resolution process; and delivering financial and regulatory investigations. My earlier career at PwC was in corporate valuations, and in the firm’s Audit practice, specialising in the audit of charity sector clients.
I enjoy having the opportunity to work with a wide range of charities, social enterprises and other socially-minded clients, and learning about their work, values and impact. I am passionate about providing financial and strategic advice in a way that is pragmatic, collaborative, and impact-focussed, to support our clients in delivering their mission.
Chris Theobald
Director
Biography
Chris Theobald, Director
I work to support clients in a wide range of situations, drawing on nearly 20 years’ experience of delivering impact evaluations; advising on transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, business sales and finance raising projects; advising to support the development of strategy; and providing technical advice on matters such as valuations of businesses and assets (including intellectual property). Although I’m an Accountant by background, and can often be found advising on financial matters, much of my work comes down to helping people to form and enhance working relationships. That takes many forms: negotiating a sale of your charity’s (or private company’s) trading activities and finding a buyer who will continue and value your mission, negotiating to raise investment from a long term partner who will support your organisation’s growth, or understanding how to explain your impact to stakeholders in a way that helps build or strengthen partnership working, to name but a few.
I particularly enjoy taking a client’s ideas and ambitions and finding means to deliver them, avoiding the inevitable pitfalls on the way. I like finding ways around difficulties and helping clients to maximise their impact, develop new partnerships, and find resources and value they didn’t know were there.
Emily Hutchison
Impact Project Lead
Biography
Emily Hutchison, Impact Project Lead
With my background as a government economist and economics consultant at Ernst and Young, at Sonnet I support clients to assess, articulate and value the impact of policy changes, projects and organisations. It is vital that impacts on people and society are at the heart of decision-making for public-facing organisations. I use my economics knowledge, experience in value for money frameworks and research skills to lead and deliver successful work in this field of impact.
Having worked in the area of public finances and health sector regulation for a decade I understand the real trade-offs that face our government. Ensuring that public funding is committed to the right areas that make a difference to people is very important to me, and that these decisions are underpinned by a strong evidence base. I am keen to use my skills and knowledge to help build this stronger evidence base, supporting clients both outside of and within government to understand and maximise their impact.
Daniel Hook
Manager
Biography
Daniel Hook
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Fringilla ut morbi tincidunt augue interdum velit euismod. Id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed. Tristique magna sit amet purus. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus. Quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo. Lectus mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt. Consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam.
Tincidunt praesent semper feugiat nibh sed. Tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus. A scelerisque purus semper eget. Tristique risus nec feugiat in. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor leo a diam. Nam libero justo laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet. Enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat. Sed id semper risus in hendrerit gravida. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Ipsum consequat nisl vel pretium lectus quam. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Posuere ac ut consequat semper viverra nam libero. Egestas sed tempus urna et. Pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo eget.
Danielle Yeung
Manager
Biography
Danielle Yeung, Manager
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Fringilla ut morbi tincidunt augue interdum velit euismod. Id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed. Tristique magna sit amet purus. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus. Quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo. Lectus mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt. Consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam.
Tincidunt praesent semper feugiat nibh sed. Tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus. A scelerisque purus semper eget. Tristique risus nec feugiat in. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor leo a diam. Nam libero justo laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet. Enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat. Sed id semper risus in hendrerit gravida. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Ipsum consequat nisl vel pretium lectus quam. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Posuere ac ut consequat semper viverra nam libero. Egestas sed tempus urna et. Pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo eget.
Claire Wilson-Lynch
Executive Assistant
Biography
Claire Wilson-Lynch, Compliance and Administration Manager
I have over twenty years’ experience in both law and corporate finance, as well as over ten years’ experience as a proofreader involved in editing both academic and professional publications.
I have excellent organisation skills and attention to detail, both of which enable me to work with the team here at Sonnet to identify and manage regulatory risk, as well as support the management team in the areas of compliance and other aspects of company administration. I have a particular specialism in writing, editing, and proofreading, having spent the last ten years managing my own editing and proofreading business.
I am delighted to be part of a dynamic, impact-focussed team that is committed to achieving a positive impact for its clients. Knowing that our work contributes to positive outcomes brings a rewarding sense of purpose.
Alice Hulbert
Manager
Biography
Alice Hulbert, Manager
I bring experience that spans impact exploration, explaining and measuring what is happening, impact-focused transactions and fundraising in the UK and Europe, and corporate structure, governance and control. I have used story-telling approaches in mixed-methods studies through workshops, interviews, rapid evidence and literature reviews, and management consulting tools for exploring causation and chains of outcomes. In the governance arena I have developed, assessed and restructured structures and approaches within Boards, and their links to management and other control systems in the organisation. I have worked on due diligence, valuations and structuring acquisitions that balance financial sustainability and value with delivering business development and impact.
I am interested in impact management and business as a force for good. How understanding an organisation’s impact, and articulating this to stakeholders, can: drive further change both at an organisational level (through communicating this impact to staff); and at a systemic level (to drive further impact across wider society); how it can open access to more resources and open doors to finance (including social finance).
Associates of Sonnet
Professor Peter Wells
Non-Executive Director, Sonnet & Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Sheffield Hallam University
Biography
Test Person 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Fringilla ut morbi tincidunt augue interdum velit euismod. Id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed. Tristique magna sit amet purus. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus. Quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo. Lectus mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt. Consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam.
Tincidunt praesent semper feugiat nibh sed. Tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus. A scelerisque purus semper eget. Tristique risus nec feugiat in. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor leo a diam. Nam libero justo laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet. Enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat. Sed id semper risus in hendrerit gravida. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Ipsum consequat nisl vel pretium lectus quam. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Posuere ac ut consequat semper viverra nam libero. Egestas sed tempus urna et. Pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo eget.
Professor Sarah Pearson
Non-Executive Director, Sonnet & Director, Social and Economic Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University
Biography
Test Person 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Fringilla ut morbi tincidunt augue interdum velit euismod. Id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed. Tristique magna sit amet purus. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus. Quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo. Lectus mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt. Consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam.
Tincidunt praesent semper feugiat nibh sed. Tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus. A scelerisque purus semper eget. Tristique risus nec feugiat in. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor leo a diam. Nam libero justo laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet. Enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat. Sed id semper risus in hendrerit gravida. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Ipsum consequat nisl vel pretium lectus quam. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Posuere ac ut consequat semper viverra nam libero. Egestas sed tempus urna et. Pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo eget.
Professor Ed Ferrari
Director, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), Sheffield Hallam University
Biography
Test Person 3
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Fringilla ut morbi tincidunt augue interdum velit euismod. Id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed. Tristique magna sit amet purus. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus. Quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo. Lectus mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt. Consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam.
Tincidunt praesent semper feugiat nibh sed. Tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus. A scelerisque purus semper eget. Tristique risus nec feugiat in. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor leo a diam. Nam libero justo laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet. Enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat. Sed id semper risus in hendrerit gravida. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Ipsum consequat nisl vel pretium lectus quam. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Posuere ac ut consequat semper viverra nam libero. Egestas sed tempus urna et. Pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit. Dignissim sodales ut eu sem integer vitae justo eget.
Our corporate partners
Sheffield Hallam University
Sonnet Advisory and Impact CIC is an associate company of Sheffield Hallam University. SHU is proud to be a partner of Sonnet and together we work to combine academic, policy, strategy and financial expertise to benefit organisations and wider society. Sonnet is able to draw on expertise from across SHU and in particular from its leading policy research centres, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Centre for Development and Research in Education and the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology. Working together with SHU’s Social and Economic Research Institute we seek to address some of the major social, economic and environmental challenges we face.
