Helping find and implement sustainable solutions to land use challenges.
After almost 20 years in the worlds of agriculture, environmental policy and sustainability, we are confident of one thing - the best decisions are rarely made by just one type of person. They are made in rooms where different worlds - policy and practice, environment and economy, public interest and private ambition – come together. This is why Contour Consulting exists.
We’ve worked with farmers and estates, food and drink processors and retailers, academics, agricultural industries, the public sector and environmental NGOs at the point where land use, environment and sustainability policy, and commercial reality meet. We understand what it means when the stakes are high and the divisions are deeply held. That experience informs how we work.
Not only can we get people genuinely aligned, we can also translate complex policy, regulatory and financial considerations into intelligence, guidance and ways of working to set you up for long-term success.
Services
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Whether it be developing strategies, business plans or operational guidance, our blend of skills is ready to help you not only better understand the challenges you face, but plot a way through them to a brighter future. We’ve led large consultancy teams that worked with everyone from micro-businesses to corporates and the public and third sector. Now we help clients to better understand the landscape ahead and make progress on the things that matter to them.
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With a background in overhauling large scale programmes, leadership of high-profile events, guiding key phases of company governance change, and leading digital transformation projects, we are experienced in ensuring that challenges and risks are managed and outcomes are achieved even when the pressure is dialled up. We can help solve a big problem or seize a fleeting opportunity, leaving you in better place when the job is done.
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Bringing both a strategic mindset and a track record in turning around operations, we have had leadership roles in software as a service (SAAS), sustainability consultancy, trade associations and digital transformation. We have Non-Executive Directorship experience, and a great appreciation of the importance of organisational alignment. Now we help businesses and charities in key areas in a cost effective manner, for example as a fractional Chief Operations Officer or fractional Head of Stakeholder Engagement.
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We have deep experience of reporting to, and being on, boards. Some have been large and complex, others small and fleet of foot - so we have an appreciation of the opportunities and challenges of both. Most recently as a Non-Executive Director of a software as a service business, we helped steer it through a tumultuous period to a more stable and sustainable operating model. Whilst a very challenging experience, we learned a massive amount and can deploy that to help your board.
“Andrew took the time to clearly understand our brief, was proactive with project updates and delivered a report on time and to the quality we required. I’d highly recommend Andrew and Contour Consulting.”
About
Based in central Scotland, Andrew Bauer established Contour Consulting. He has a background in stakeholder engagement, environment and rural land use policy, public affairs, programme management, and sustainability consultancy. He has also been a non-executive directorship of a Software as a Service (SaaS) business, and led multiple IT transformation projects.
He has developed and implemented strategies, lead transformational change, managed multi-million-pound P&Ls, led and coached large teams, build commerciality, managed complex stakeholder relationships, and provided senior executive and non-executive director governance.
He brings a holistic perspective, research expertise, a continuous improvement mindset, excellent facilitation skills, and an ability to communicate with and influence diverse audiences. Andrew is a Practitioner of the Society of Agriculture and Certified Carbon Literate.
“Andrew is a strategic thinker who became an essential sounding board for me, constructively challenging ideas and helping to sharpen and strengthen policy direction and thinking.”
“Andrew is a person where seeing opportunities for optimisation and continuous improvement come naturally...he gets things done!”
“Andrew is a calming presence, and is able to mobilise diverse people into cohesive teams to tackle issues or projects, big or small.”
Publications
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“If you need to understand and traverse complex and uncertain ground, I am available for consultancy, interim, fractional, and non-executive directorship engagements across the UK and beyond. Let’s talk!”