PRESS RELEASE
Former TfL director Thomas Ableman launches new business to help corporates get things done faster
Former Transport for London strategy and innovation director Thomas Ableman has announced the launch of a new business designed to enable corporations to learn the lessons of agility and innovation honed in smaller organisations.
Freewheeling will run programmes of organisational development designed to help firms tailor their leadership, management and strategy to become more innovative and customer-focused.
“I’ve worked in huge organisations and startups in both the public and private sectors”, Thomas, founder of Freewheeling commented, “And I’ve realised that there are certain characteristics of innovative and customer-focused organisations that can be learned.”
Freewheeling will support companies that want to grow faster, reconnect with their customers and - ultimately - get better results.
Freewheeling is not a conventional consulting business as the goal is to upskill and develop the organisation as opposed to undertake individual consulting projects.
“Think of me as being like a personal trainer for the corporation. Most firms want to deliver better results than they are currently able to attain. Their people have the skills but something is slowing them down. They need help to unlock all that latent potential in their people.”
Interventions range from a structured programme over many months through to motivational speaking at events and management conferences.
“My role is to leave your organisation feeling more confident about doing things in a faster, more agile way”, he said.
Thomas previously was Commercial Director of Chiltern Railways during which period it was the fastest growing rail franchise in the UK and then founder of Sn-ap, the innovative digital startup in the coach sector. He started his career working on digital projects and strategy at National Express, having completed National Express’s Graduate Training programme.
Former Chiltern Railways MD and Network Rail Board Director Rob Brighouse commented, “Having worked with Thomas both in Chiltern and startup Sn-ap, which we co-founded, Thomas has an uncanny ability to identify customer needs and energise people to meet these needs in an innovative, timely and cost-effective manner”
Thomas left Transport for London on July 15th and will launch Freewheeling on September 9th 2024.
He will also be bringing back his popular blog and podcast on the same date.
