Helping others inspire the next generation...
Providing strategic guidance and expert knowledge to achieve outcomes which have real impact for young people
About David Lakin Consultancy
Purpose
Expertise
Services
Work with other organisations to support and help them acheive their own mission to inspire the next generation.
Services
Expertise
Services
From creating business plans and customer journeys, to developing value proportions or funding strategies, DLC can support you in achieving your desired outcomes
Expertise
Expertise
Expertise
From engineering apprentice to senior leader with over 30 years in STEM education and industry, and with an executive MBA, DLC offers a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience...
Services
Below is a example of the type of service DLC offers, however each project or client need differs and a bespoke service level agreement would be agreed beforehand.
Business planning
DLC would collaborate closely with the client to define the company’s goals and develop the strategies, actions, and resources required to achieve them. This process would also involve outlining decision-making structures, identifying funding needs, and establishing methods to track progress over time.
In simple terms, it’s about creating a clear roadmap for your business or project — showing where you are now, where you want to go, and how you plan to get there.
Project Management
Whether it’s an existing project or a new opportunity within your organization, DLC can provide comprehensive project management support. From concept and setup to ongoing delivery and completion, DLC ensures your project goals are achieved while keeping all key stakeholders engaged. DLC's services can include feasibility studies, business planning, pilot delivery, as well as evaluation and reporting with actionable recommendations.
Strategic Planning
Supporting organizations in developing a strategic plan of action designed to achieve their specific goals or vision. DLC helps organisations define what they want to accomplish and how to get there by creating a clear strategy that sets the direction for the business or project — whether that’s expanding reach, improving efficiency, or launching new products. DLC can also assist in making key strategic decisions, such as where to focus resources, which opportunities to pursue, and how to differentiate from competitors.
Securing Funding
Whether it’s identifying funding needs or developing a long-term funding strategy, DLC helps organizations clearly define their “ask” and communicate it effectively to potential funders. DLC works collaboratively with organizations to map out their value proposition, highlight what they can offer supporters, and design funding packages that align with funder requirements. This includes establishing clear KPIs to manage expectations and demonstrate measurable results.
Workshop Facilitaion
DLC can deliver workshops, ideation sessions, or host roundtables to help organisations — as an independent facilitator — review, refine, or tackle challenging questions. Using a range of facilitation techniques and tools such as process mapping, Start/Stop/Continue, and the Lean Canvas, DLC works collaboratively with participants to explore the key issues, capture collective insights, and define clear, shared outcomes and next steps.
Customer or Competitor Analysis
DLC can help organisations gain a deeper understanding of their customers, competitors — or both — to inform strategic decisions, drive growth, and shape their next plan of action. By uncovering what customers truly want (rather than what you think they want), organisations can position themselves as genuinely customer-first, creating more meaningful engagement and impact. Similarly, understanding competitor activity allows you to anticipate changes and respond effectively. DLC works with organisations to analyze these insights, helping them gain a clear competitive advantage.
And much more!
DLC can support you in other ways, for a detailed conversation, please get in touch to discuss.
EXPERTISE - Biography
David Lakin BEng, MIET, MBA
David began his career as an apprentice engineer at Caterpillar before completing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and progressing into a Production Engineer role within Caterpillar’s powertrain division. He later joined Young Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering to help deliver the London Engineering Project a pilot initiative designed to inspire and engage young people from underserved London communities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics).
Following the successful completion of the pilot, David moved to Engineering in Motion and became the International Project Manager for F1 in Schools (now STEM Racing). He managed the global programme for six years before joining STEMNET as Director of Programme Development. In this role, he led the STEM Clubs programme, special projects, the London STEM team, and the STEM Ambassador programme.
David then joined the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as Head of Education and Safeguarding, overseeing the organisation’s entire education portfolio, including STEM engagement and outreach initiatives such as the Faraday Challenge Day programme, teaching resources, and FIRST LEGO League—the UK’s largest STEM programme. During his tenure, he also led education policy work and launched Engineering Kids Futures, a national campaign engaging directly with the Department for Education (DfE), and personally chaired a roundtable meeting in No.10 Downing Street.
In 2020, David conceptualised and co-founded the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) with the mission of ending digital poverty in the UK. The start of the pandemic brought into stark view the serious inequality in digital access, and the knock-on consequences for many in education, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. David quickly convened key organisations from the digital world, industry, government and policy makers to form an alliance, and the DPA was officially launched in 2021 with high-profile partners and champions including Lord Knight of Weymouth, the DPA Chair.
David has extensive experience of identifying, engaging and building strong, collaborative relationships with sponsors and donors of wide-ranging value. Over his career, David has secured multimillion pound funding deals from high-profile, global STEM organisations such as the Royal Air Force, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus, Sage, UKRI, Bosch and many more. David has also established impactful collaborations and partnerships with global brands such as Formula One, Disney and LEGO, plus UK based organisations such as English Heritage, the RHS and the King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust). Just as importantly, David has built strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with SMEs and grassroots organisations, supporting programme delivery on the ground and in local communities engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Media trained, David has extensive experience of giving live and pre-recorded interviews to national broadcast media, such as Sky News, BBC News and national radio, as well as regional and local media. David writes opinion pieces for national and sector print media and issue reactive comment for relevant breaking news opportunities. David has also acted as lead spokesperson when publishing reports or research findings.
He has since established David Lakin Consultancy (DLC), drawing on nearly 20 years of STEM education experience, over a decade in the engineering industry, and his expertise as a senior leader with an executive MBA. Through DLC, David supports organisations committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation.