PeakPact founder Barry Carney is helping businesses rethink the way they work through values-led strategy, creativity and a fresh approach to resilience and growth.
For Barry Carney, business should feel less like survival and more like an adventure.
That mindset sits at the heart of Peakpact, the Peak District-based consultancy he launched in August 2025 to help organisations reconnect with their values, rethink how they operate and navigate an increasingly unpredictable business landscape.
“We spend a very significant chunk of our life at work,” he tells unLTD. “That should be a positive thing. It should contribute to our development and collective prosperity.”
Peakpact was born from a blend of personal motivation and professional experience. As the father of two young boys, Barry wanted to model a healthier relationship between work, purpose and life. At the same time, years spent across sustainability, ESG and creative industries convinced him that many businesses are still relying on outdated approaches that no longer fit the world around them.
“Business as usual is increasingly no longer fit for purpose. The landscape keeps shifting, and businesses need the confidence and creativity to adapt, rather than simply doubling down on what worked before.”
Rather than offering rigid consultancy frameworks or generic business advice, Peakpact takes a more bespoke approach. Barry believes every organisation has its own context, pressures and opportunities, even within the same sector.
“If you get clarity on your values first, decision-making becomes much easier. You’ve got a north star.”
That values-first philosophy runs through every aspect of the business. Whether supporting strategy development, organisational change, AI ethics or workplace culture, the aim is to help companies align what they say with what they actually do.
“A business, like an individual, has an authentic self. The work is about helping businesses make that identity visible in their decisions, operations and relationships.”
The practical applications are broad. A company that values environmental wellbeing might rethink procurement processes or logistics. A business focused on community could strengthen local partnerships and sourcing. Those prioritising resilience may invest more heavily in employee wellbeing, governance and long-term planning.
Creativity also plays a central role in Peakpact’s approach, shaped in part by Barry’s unconventional career path. Before moving into sustainability and consultancy, he spent years building props and sets for film and television productions.
“There’s no instruction manual for building a 20-foot giant mushroom,” he laughs. “But there are core skills around collaboration and problem-solving and bringing someone’s vision to life. Those same skills are incredibly valuable in business.”
That experience now feeds into workshops designed to help teams reframe challenges, spot patterns and think differently. The goal is not simply to solve immediate problems but to build cultures that are more adaptable and innovative over time.
“A skills gap can become a development opportunity. Declining sales can become a trigger for innovation. It’s about helping businesses see things differently.”
The consultancy’s outdoor-inspired ethos is also no accident. Based amid the stunning scenery of the Peak District, Barry is naturally drawn to the outdoors in his leisure time and sees a clear connection between business resilience and the surrounding landscape.
“Being out here reminds me what business should ultimately be for – positive communities, healthy environments and creating something meaningful. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day pressures of running a business, but having that connection to nature helps keep the bigger picture in view.”
That connection influences not only the company’s identity but also its methods, meaning it is intentionally organic and flexible when working with clients.
“If a workshop will help, we’ll develop a workshop. If new frameworks are needed, we’ll introduce them. If a meeting would be more productive walking on the Peak District trails, then we’ll stick our boots on.”
The broader aim is to help leaders step outside the pressures of day-to-day operations and regain perspective.
“When organisations go through difficult periods, there’s a tendency to hunker down and only focus on what’s directly in front of you. Sometimes you need someone to help you lift your head up again and look outward.”
That wider perspective is becoming increasingly important as organisations grapple with rapid developments in artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing AI purely through the lens of efficiency, Peakpact encourages businesses to consider broader questions around bias, accountability, sustainability and employee wellbeing.
“How will AI empower employees? How will it support innovation and flexibility? Does it align with the values of the business?”
Although Peakpact is still in its early stages, Barry already has a clear vision for the future. Long term, he hopes to grow the business, build a wider network of values-led partners and create the kind of workplace culture he believes many organisations still struggle to achieve.
“I’ve worked for companies where the work itself could have been brilliant, but the environment took all the enjoyment out of it. Creating a genuinely good place to work excites me.”
For now, the focus is on helping businesses rediscover purpose, build resilience and perhaps view the journey a little differently.
“Business can absolutely be challenging. But if you approach it in the right way, even the difficult days can become part of something rewarding.”
Discover a different way forward for your business at peakpact.co.uk.
