PARK Values
  • Empathetic
    We know that empathy and understanding is at the heart of good design, good relationships and good business.

  • Challenging
    We don't shy away from challenging the status quo to maximise value for everyone involved.

  • Partnering
    We work with clients, not for clients. Co-creation and rapid iteration leads to the best results.

  • Personalised
    We treat every challenge as unique. We're not a transactional, cookie-cutter consultancy.

  • Accountable
    We feel a sense of ownership alongside our clients. We see every detail right through to the end.

PARK History

PARK Consulting was founded in 1998 by Tim Selders and Frans Joziasse. Both experienced designers, they'd both become increasingly frustrated with the disconnect between design and business. They saw an opportunity to bridge the gap by creating a unique proposition that focused on helping leaders to establish design as a business enabler and growth driver. PARK Consulting was born and was an immediate success, finding its niche with early clients including Sony, Kia/Hyundai, LEGO, and HP.

Since those early days, the role of Design Leadership has significantly evolved. Today, enabling and driving business growth is just the start. Leaders of design now need to build bridges across touchpoints and functions, develop next-generation capabilities, act as a catalyst for business-wide change and, of course, always do more with less. As the landscape for design leadership has evolved, so has PARK. Regularly viewed as a thought leader in the industry, PARK Consulting has now partnered with over 300 different clients.

In 2013, to complement PARK's consulting services, Grow (now known as PARK Academy) was established with the aim of 'empowering design leaders' through education. We're very proud that PARK Academy has since had a positive impact on the careers of more than 2000 Design Management and Design Leadership students across Europe and the USA.

In 2023 PARK celebrates its 25th anniversary as the business ownership transitions to James Hall and Andy Sharpe, with Frans Joziasse continuing as an integral part of the leadership team until 2028. We’re also consolidating the business into the 4 services – Consulting, Academy, Coaching and Connections.

Looking back, it's been a wonderful 25 years, and we look forward to more of the same.

Why 'PARK'? The name PARK stems from the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace near the Marunouchi Business District in Tokyo. A park in which co-founder Frans would spend his lunch break whilst visiting Japan during the 1990s. This park is where locals go to reflect, relax and dream – just a few of the things that we try to facilitate here at PARK.

Unique consulting clients partnered since 1998
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Graduates from our PARK Academy since 2013
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Design Managers/Leaders coached annually
Design leaders have now participated in a PARK cross-company retreat
Timeline
PARK is founded

PARK Consulting is founded by Frans Joziasse and Tim Selders in the Netherlands and Germany.

First client project

PARK's first client is Sony Personal Audio Europe, working on their European Design Strategy.

Consulting team expands

PARK employs its first full-time consultants - Professor Aart van Bezooyen and Assistant Professor Jasper van Kuijk.

Growth in adversity

PARK sees significant success amidst a global financial crisis, and builds long-term relationships with BMW, LEGO, PANalytical, Grundfos and Reckitt Benckiser.

PARK keeps growing

PARK expands team to 12 consultants from 8 different nationalities.

Grow Academy established

Grow, a spin-off of the LEGO Design Academy is founded with the aim of ‘empowering design leaders’ through education in the areas of Design Management and Design Leadership.

PARK USA founded

PARK goes stateside with the launch of PARK and Grow USA, led by Jay Peters.

Design for Humanity launches

PARK establishes the Design for Humanity movement, gathering 30 leaders of design in Hamburg for the inaugural D4H retreat.

Livebook 2.0

PARK launches a major upgrade of the digital platform used to support the delivery of Grow programmes.

PARK hits 2000 graduations

Grow celebrates its 2000th student graduation with the delivery of cross-company and in-company programmes in the USA, UK, Germany, Norway, Ireland, Estonia and Slovenia.

25 year anniversary

PARK celebrates its 25th anniversary. Company ownership transitions from Frans Joziasse to James Hall and Andy Sharpe.

Re-brand and simplification

PARK simplifies its service offer and re-brands every touchpoint across the business. Grow becomes PARK Academy.

1998
PARK was founded in 1998
PARK's first client Sony in 1998
Professor Aart van Bezooyen and Assistant Professor Jasper van Kuijk
PARK expands to consultants from 8 nationalities
PARK USA is founded. PARK team in the Eames house in Los Angeles California
PARK launches Design for humanity movement with 30 design leaders
PARK Academy diplomas
PARK transfers ownership to James Hall and Andy Sharpe
PARK new branding 2023

Meet the team

Aileen Dempsey

Senior Consultant and Tutor

Andy Sharpe

Company Director

Brian Gillespie

Senior Consultant and Tutor

Carola Boogerd

Business Manager

Denisse Bronsoiler

Consultant & Project Manager USA

Frank van den Horst

Senior Consultant and Tutor

Frans Joziasse

Founding Director

Hans Henrik Ruus

Business Visualiser

Iren Liao

Consultant

James Hall

Company Director

Jay Peters

Managing Director USA

Johannes Beckert

Junior Consultant

Stephan Clambaneva

Senior Consultant & Tutor USA

Tim Mckeown

Senior Consultant and Tutor

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