Relational Leadership
Supporting leaders to hold complexity with clarity, compassion and confidence — without losing their people in the process.
Culture & Collaboration
Breaking down silos and rebuilding relationships to help people work together across roles, professions, and agencies.
Strategy That Sticks
We design strategies that are lived - not just laminated - and aligned with values and what’s actually happening on the ground.
Our Services
We Work With What’s Real —
To Shift What’s Stuck
Who Works! APPROACH
Shifting How Systems Work, From the Inside Out
Who Works! reveals how systems behave — and helps teams work with what’s really happening, not just what’s written down.
At the heart of this approach are Collaborative Knowledge Networks — the enabling structures that bring together lived experience, professional insight, and strategic dialogue into one coherent space for change.
ABOUT US
Why We Do This Work
Akani exists to help people work better inside systems that often feel like they’re working against them. We partner with individuals, leaders, teams, and organisations across sectors — from health and care to business and education — to shift stuck dynamics, reconnect purpose, and redesign the conditions for change. Our work is grounded, relational, and shaped by real experience in the spaces where things are messy, complex, and human.
WHO IS AKANI
Akani was founded by Paul Olaitan - a relational strategist, coach and facilitator, with a deep-seated background in youth work, public service and systems leadership.
The name comes from the combined names of his children, to reflect the depth of meaning in our work: a commitment to human-first systems that hold people — not just policies.
Combining ideas and actions from systems theory, systemic constellations, trauma-informed practice and leadership development, the Akani approach draws from practice, research and lived experience to create tools, frameworks, workshops and 1-1 coaching support that's distinctive, useful and conceptually sound.
Spanning professional, academic and community domains with ease, we make work legible and compelling to local authority leaders, frontline practitioners, community groups and business CEOs alike.
We’ve worked with large private sector multinationals, third sector agencies, NHS Trusts, ICSs, Police Forces, safeguarding partnerships and councils to help them reconnect what matters most. Our approach is grounded, reflective, and practical. Less jargon, more movement. Less talking about change, more shifting what makes change hard
Personalized Approach
We tailor every strategy to align with your unique financial goals, ensuring solutions that truly fit your life.
Proven Expertise
With years of industry experience, our advisors provide reliable, informed guidance for confident decision-making.
Transparent Communication
We believe in clear, honest communication—keeping you informed every step of the way, so you can make empowered choices.
our reviews
What people are saying about us
Our work is about creating the conditions for change — and holding space long enough for it to land. These reflections come from leaders, teams, and services across sectors: from businesses to children’s social care, the NHS, safeguarding partnerships and education. Each voice speaks to a shift that mattered — in how people relate, lead, and make systems work better.
— NHS Leadership Reset
“Shifted something real — and fast.”
After just one session, the team started reaching out to each other more. It wasn’t magic — it was structure, space, and being seen.
— Safeguarding Workshop Feedback
“Made space for honesty, not just performance.”
The session was transparent, energising, and refreshingly grounded. It felt safe enough to be real — not just professional.
— Local Authority, Teamleader
“We don’t just talk differently now — we act differently.”
I’ve noticed a shift. People aren’t asking me what to do. They’re showing me what they’ve already tried.
— Frontline Team Away Day
“A different kind of training — in the best way.”
Access to this kind of high-quality, human-centred development is rare. I left more connected and more hopeful.
FAQs
Your Questions, Answered
Explore our FAQs to find answers to common questions about how we work, what we offer, and what to expect when working with us — whether you're an individual, team, leader or a whole system
We help people work better inside complex systems, to realise their aspired-to shifts to responsive, meaningful and engaging - through facilitation, coaching, strategy support, and tools that shift how people relate, lead, and make decisions together.
We work with individuals, leaders, teams, partnerships, and whole systems — from safeguarding boards to corporate strategy groups. If something’s stuck, we help create the conditions for it to move.
Start with a conversation. We begin by listening to what’s real for you — your challenges, your systems, your people — then co-design the approach from there.
Yes. Our approach is entirely client-focused. We prioritise personalised strategies, transparent communication, and long-term partnerships. We take the time to truly understand your objectives and craft a plan that aligns with your unique vision.
Microgames are short, structured activities designed to surface patterns in how people relate and work together. They’re playful, but not fluff — they get to the heart of how a system behaves.