Brook Consult, a well-established business improvement consultancy, has recently made a significant move from Barnsley Business Village to Leah’s Yard in Sheffield city centre. The relocation marks an important step in the company’s growth and positions it in closer proximity to key stakeholders and clients. Managing Director Dom Brook and Strategic Director Andrew Armstrong shared their thoughts on this milestone, reflecting on the company’s journey and what this move means for their future.
“Moving to Sheffield has been a long time coming for us,” Dom tells unLTD. “We’re now in a location that makes it easy for people to visit, and we’re literally on the doorstep of our main stakeholders. This is crucial for us as we look to establish even closer ties with partners. It’s a cool place for people to come to and feels like home already.”
Brook Consult’s journey began in Barnsley as a small, family-run consultancy started by Dom’s dad, who initially operated as a self-employed freelancer. Over the years, the business has grown steadily, expanding from a single unit in Barnsley’s Business Village to larger premises while building a team of associates. The move to Leah’s Yard represents another major step forward, enabling the company to further expand and integrate into the region’s business ecosystem.
A STRATEGIC MOVE
The Grade-II Listed building is more than just a new office space for the team – they see it as a springboard for future growth and collaboration. The site’s successful transformation into a creative and innovative hub of businesses offers a unique opportunity to engage with like-minded companies and explore potential partnerships.
“We’re surrounded by plenty of forward-thinking businesses here, and that’s inspiring,” says Dom. “For example, Herd Consulting, who are based next door, have won several awards recently at the Leeds Digital Festival. Being next to companies like that opens up opportunities for collaboration, and you never know who else might move in that we can work with. We always had one eye on the Leah’s development when we were looking around, so once the office spaces became available, we were straight onto it.”
Andrew Armstrong, Strategic Director at Brook Consult, adds that while networking opportunities are aplenty, the move also provides more visibility for the brand in a key location. “Being in the heart of S1 and in such an iconic building, we’re really raising our profile. It’s the perfect spot for us to be seen as leaders in our field.”
EXPANDING SERVICES
The company specialises in improving productivity, streamlining operations and supporting people development across a range of industries including manufacturing, logistics and construction. A key area of growth has recently been their expansion into assisting businesses in navigating digital transformations, supporting those companies through strategic advice and project management.
“We don’t offer our own technology solutions, but we act more as an outsourced project management team,” explains Dom. “We help clients identify the right solutions for their business and then guide them through the process of integrating those solutions into their operations. For example, we might support a company in implementing an ERP system, redesigning their factory floor layout or managing complex projects.”
SIRI-OUSLY PAVING THE WAY
A particularly exciting part of Brook Consult’s growing offer is being the only Yorkshire-based company to offer Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessments, a comprehensive framework designed to help manufacturers assess and benchmark their readiness for Industry 4.0 – the important next phase of digitising the manufacturing industry.
Andrew, who is currently undergoing his SIRI assessor training, explains: “SIRI looks at an organisation across 16 dimensions covering people, technology and process to identify the most critical areas to focus on. We help businesses refine and implement these strategies, whether it’s onboarding new systems, redesigning factory layouts or optimising workflows. It’s not just about recommending an ERP system; it’s about ensuring it fits and works for that business. We’re seeing growing demand for this service – many of our project sizes have increased from a few thousand pounds last year to £20,000 projects now, with outcomes that can exceed five, six, seven times the investment.”
Positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation not just in the region but in the country should herald exciting opportunities for Brook, predict Dom. “This is a massive growth area for us. “We plan to add two more SIRI assessors within the next 12 months, either new hires or associates who want to join us as full-time employees. The UK is still catching up in terms of digital readiness compared to some other regions like Asia and parts of the US. We’re proud to be one of the few consultancies in the UK able to provide this service, and we believe it’s going to become a standard for manufacturers in the coming years.”
Closer to home, Brook is an active participant in regional growth initiatives such as the Made Smarter programme, a collaboration with Oxford Innovation Advice which aims to support manufacturers by embedding digital tools and technologies. Through Made Smarter, they can help small to medium-sized manufacturers digitise their operations and adopt new technologies.
“It’s a wide door for entry – open to small and medium manufacturers in Yorkshire and Humber with a turnover under £50 million,” says Andrew. “The aim is to help businesses digitise by identifying where they’re losing or making money and pinpointing inefficiencies. We’re working in a space where digitisation can range from simple sensor systems to highly advanced monitoring solutions. The technology is accessible for all kinds of manufacturers, whether it’s a small business looking to optimise its processes or a larger company implementing advanced factory systems.”
Brook Consult has also introduced a new service called the South Yorkshire Productivity Improvement Accelerator. This five-day training programme is designed to help businesses identify and address productivity challenges. It includes a detailed assessment of the company’s operations, followed by workshops to co-design a tailored improvement plan.
“We’re running this programme with a couple of companies at the moment, and the feedback has been great,” says Dom. “It’s about giving businesses the tools they need to overcome barriers and accelerate their growth.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As part of its growth strategy, Brook Consult is planning to expand its team over the next 12 to 18 months. They are currently recruiting a Business Support Manager and looking to grow their digital marketing capabilities to enhance their online presence.
“Our goal is to double the size of our team,” says Dom. “We’re looking to bring in people who can support our operations and help us reach even more clients. We’ve also gone through a small rebrand to show our focus on productivity, people and growth, and we want our digital marketing to reflect that. We want to show how we’re modern, innovative and at the forefront of what we do.”
The move to Leah’s Yard signals a new chapter for Brook Consult and highlights their commitment to supporting business growth and innovation in South Yorkshire. With an expanded service offering, new opportunities for collaboration and a prime location in the heart of Sheffield, the company is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on local business landscape.
“We’ve been known for expertise in manufacturing, but we’re now broadening our offer,” says Dom. “We want to be the first port of call for companies looking to improve productivity and drive growth. If it’s anything to do with growth, productivity or people development, we will have a solution.”
