About Tailored Thinking
What is Tailored Thinking?
Tailored Thinking is an award-winning, Gold-accredited 4-day-week HR and business performance consultancy founded in 2017 and based in Durham, UK. The firm specialises in positive psychology, behavioural science and wellbeing — what founder Rob Baker calls "positive deviance" — and works with organisations to bring out the best in their people through education and the design of strategic activities. Their mission, in their own words, is: "To make work better and make better work."
The company is listed by the 4 Day Week Foundation as a Gold-Standard Accredited Employer ("A leading positive psychology, HR and wellbeing consultancy, striving to be a force for good in the world of work. Based in Durham.") and has been a 4-day-week employer since its founding.
Where will I work?
Tailored Thinking is based in Durham, UK with flexible/hybrid working arrangements (DB remote_level = hybrid). Their work spans speaking & workshops, consultancy on key strategic activities, and leadership development programmes. Clients include Durham University ("Every member of the Tailored Thinking team is a true partner" — Deborah Beel, Senior OD Manager), Leo Vegas UK, Ossila Limited (Dr James Kingsley, Managing Director) and the University HR community more broadly. The team also has partnerships with Joy Junction (founded by Gary Butterfield) and The KWP Ltd (Dr Kate Webb, Managing Director).
What is the Tailored Thinking team like?
Rob Baker (Founder & Chief Positive Deviant) holds a first-class Master's in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne and is a chartered fellow of both the CIPD and the Australian HR Institute. A former international athlete and coach, he specialises in job crafting and behavioural change in organisations. Charlotte Axon (Lead People Scientist) holds degrees in Psychology and Occupational Psychology from the University of Sheffield, has published in the EAWOP journal, and is a member of the BPS Divisions of Occupational Psychology and Coaching Psychology.
A wider network of "Friends of Tailored Thinking" associates work with the company part-time, including business psychologist Carly Richards (who works one day a week as an associate — "great job crafting"), Taslim Tharani (Organisational & Coaching Psychologist), Mark Crabtree (leadership and organisational development), Jules Smith (founder of People Science Consulting) and Gary Butterfield (Joy Junction). Chloe Mark was a previous Marketing & Engagement Officer who joined as an Apprentice.
Seven values guide the work: kindness, curiosity, collaboration, sustainability, openness, generosity, positive deviance.
Work-Life Balance
Tailored Thinking has worked a 4-day week since being founded in 2017. Quoting their own people page: "We are a gold accredited 4-day week employer. We have worked 4 days since we were founded in 2017 and believe that this is a good way to bring and give energy to things that matter to us outside of work. A 4 day week allows us to recharge, re-energise and work with focus."
The firm is officially listed as a Gold-Standard employer by the 4 Day Week Foundation, meaning a permanent 32-hour (or less) 4-day week with a reduction of hours and no loss of pay.
Perks and Benefits
- Gold-accredited 4-day work week (32 hours, no loss of pay) since 2017
- 30 days of PTO (22 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays), with additional days for long service
- Flexible / hybrid working arrangements
- Pension scheme
- Professional development in positive psychology, behavioural science and wellbeing
- Equipment provided for HR consultancy work
- A genuinely values-led culture (kindness, curiosity, collaboration, sustainability, openness, generosity, positive deviance)