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A landmark moment for transformational culture
On 3rd July 2025, two significant honours were awarded to David Liddle, Founder and CEO of The TCM Group, marking a powerful moment of recognition not only for individual leadership, but for the transformational culture movement itself.
At an event, hosted above the historic Tower Bridge, David was named HR Most Influential Thinker of 2025 by HR Magazine, having risen through the ranks from #12 in 2021 and #6 in 2024. Later that evening, at the Consultancy Awards 2025 held at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, he was also named Consultant of the Year.
These accolades, nominated by peers and evaluated independently by experts including Hult International Business School, reflect a growing momentum behind a values-led, person-centred approach to conflict, leadership and organisational culture. They also reinforce the ongoing impact of The TCM Group’s work in placing people and purpose at the heart of business transformation.
The judges praised David Liddle for having successfully created an entirely new method and mindset for managing conflict within organisations, grounded in a career that began in academia, schools, and community organisations before he went on to establish TCM. They highlighted the strength of his thought leadership, noting his recognition as one of HR Magazine’s Top 20 Most Influential HR Thinkers and his inclusion on the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar list, as well as his authorship of several books that have contributed meaningfully to the field.
A significant part of their commendation focused on David’s creation of unique intellectual property, including the FAIR Model, the Transformational Culture Model, and the Employee Experience Equation. These frameworks have not only gained widespread adoption in numerous organisations but have also replaced more traditional and arguably outdated approaches such as formal grievance procedures.
The judges acknowledged the tangible impact of David’s work, with evidence of considerable real-world value and organisational improvements such as a 48% reduction in disciplinary cases, an 11% drop in grievances, and improved employee engagement scores.
Furthermore, they recognised his capacity for innovation and his relentless drive to bring about change in a field that has long been shaped by hierarchical systems, which are increasingly seen as no longer fit for purpose. His current exploration of the intersection between people, organisations, and AI was highlighted as an example of his commitment to staying at the leading edge of his profession.
The judges commended the strength of the entry, commending the embodiment of the organisational values. Under his leadership, the organisation has clearly innovated, and David has succeeded in maintaining a prominent position at the forefront of the field, driven by a deep passion for his work.
Recognition for a movement, not just a model
The recognition bestowed upon David is emblematic of a broader shift taking place across HR, leadership and organisational design. It signals a decisive move away from traditional, adversarial approaches to conflict management, towards approaches that are:
- Restorative rather than retributive
- Collaborative rather than adversarial
- Preventative rather than reactive
At the heart of this change is the award-winning Resolution Framework™, developed by David Liddle and embedded by TCM across organisations including Burberry, TSB, BBC, easyJet, Next, Oxfam, Capgemini, the NHS, and the Greater London Authority. The Framework offers a legally compliant and psychologically safe alternative to grievance, disciplinary, and performance management procedures, one that has demonstrated measurable success in reducing conflict, boosting engagement, and enhancing organisational health.
From individual impact to systemic change
The double recognition follows a string of accolades for TCM in the past year, including:
- Mediation Training Provider of the Year 2024 – National Mediation Awards
- HR Impact Award 2024 (in partnership with Next) – Personnel Today Awards
These awards are evidence of a growing appetite for a transformational culture, one that is fair, just, inclusive, sustainable, and high-performing. This culture is brought to life through The TCM Group’s suite of integrated solutions, including:
- The Transformational Culture Model™
- The FAIR Mediation Model™
- The Employee Experience Equation™
- The Resolution Index®
Together, these frameworks support organisations to move beyond compliance and risk mitigation, towards truly human-centred systems of accountability and growth.
Building a future where dialogue comes first
As stated in Managing Conflict and Transformational Culture, workplace conflict is not inherently harmful, but the systems we use to manage it often are. Traditional grievance, bullying and disciplinary procedures frequently exacerbate harm and erode trust. In contrast, the Resolution Framework fosters:
- Early, informal and compassionate intervention
- Safe spaces for constructive dialogue
- A shared commitment to values, learning and accountability
This is not simply process redesign; it is a justice model fit for the 21st-century workplace, underpinned by empathy, equity, and enterprise.
A collective achievement
David Liddle’s awards are a tribute to the wider TCM team, our expert consultant partners, and the courageous organisations we work alongside. They also recognise the growing network of mediators, peacemakers, and HR professionals who are rejecting outdated models and championing a more human way of working.
As the judging panel at the Consultancy Awards noted:
“David has created an entirely new method and mindset for managing conflict… His work is embedded in multiple organisations, demonstrating tangible results and evidence of true innovation.”
Looking ahead: The Resolution Revolution
The TCM Group remains committed to advancing the Resolution Revolution, helping organisations move away from punitive systems and towards cultures grounded in trust, dialogue, and shared purpose. These awards mark not an end point, but a new chapter in our collective mission.
For every leader, manager or HR professional seeking to build a fairer and more productive workplace, the message is clear:
It’s time to put people first. It’s time to resolve, not react. It’s time to transform.
