Toni McLelland MSc FRSA

1st Life Group

A London based boutique business consultancy specialising in working with Third Sector, Social Causes, NGOs and Social Entrepreneurs. We are experienced troubleshooters and turnaround specialists assisting you to navigate change, crisis as well as business development for futureproofing. I have a particular passion for services serving vulnerable groups and young people as well as social impact, mobility and justice.

www.1stlifegroup.com | +44 (0)203 504 0250 | info@1stlifegroup.com
Refer to client testimonials on linkedin and website

Management Consultant- Social Causes & Social Entrepreneurship

Queen of Compassion - we work with organisations and businesses to become more Compassionate 
Explore our 7 step guide which includes an audit and action plan
Or get in touch if we can assist with our 4Ps approach (Purpose People Planet Profit (Performance)
https://1stlifegroup.com/services/the-compassionate-business/

Founder - The Compassionate Business and Compassionate Leadership

The Sporting Club

Member and Co Host of The Sporting Club Wales twice monthly 'Coffee Mornings' in Cardiff. Supporting the Vision and Mission of Sporting Club UK invited guests are able to join us for 'Coffee Conversation and Connection plus Co Work in our exclusive members lounge in Cardiff. Membership includes access to members lounges and exclusive events across the UK plus networking and business opportunities.

The Sporting Club | Wales Ambassador & Co Host | Member 

Careers Wales

Board Member and serving Committee Member for The Impact and Performance Committee
Promoting DEIB, Compassionate approaches, measuring impact and ensuring there are suitable opportunities for professional and business development in all communities across Wales

Non Executive Director

UK Government Wales/Llywodraeth DU Cymru

Business Mentor - Social Entrepreneur Start Ups

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

Big Ideas Wales-Business Role Model. Speaker & Facilitator for Social Entrepreneurship and Start Up Programmes for schools, colleges and universities. Inspirational talks, workshops, business planning & Start Up advice with a focus on public interest causes

Business Wales - Start Up & Social Entrepreneur Programme

The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce)

Working at the heart of innovation with other changemakers and leaders who are catalysts for improvement and change in social causes.

RSA Fellow

ForbesBLK

Member

Business Advice Australia

Business advisor and consultant to Start Ups and Social Entrepreneurs with a particular interest in Social and Public Causes, Social Impact, Social Justice and Social Mobility.

Business Consultant-Start Ups & Social Entrepreneurs

G100: Mission Million

UK Chair - Business Consulting 

Della Leaders Club

Honorary Board Member & Business Mentor- Della Leaders Club- Risk & Crisis Management - Management Team | London
Mentoring, assisting and empowering social entrepreneurs with business- assessing risk and managing crisis

Honorary Board Member & Mentor- Risk & Crisis Management 

✨Critical Friend for C-Suite Leaders & Boards in Social Causes✨Change & Crisis Specialist✨Business Mentor for Social Entrepreneurs & Start Ups✨Queen of Compassion & DEIB Veteran with 30+ years wisdom & #TonisFairyDust✨

I'm a straight-talking Business Mentor / consultant with specialist knowledge of Social Causes. As a business turnaround specialist I assist boards & C-Suite to navigate crisis & embed change for sustained business growth. 

As Queen of Compassion DEIB underpins my work & I use my 5Ps (Purpose People Planet Profit or Performance) to futureproof business, this comes from years of strategic experience leading large multidisciplinary teams & multi-million-pound budgets in central government, PLC, private & charitable causes. 

SO WHY ME?

When you engage me as a business mentor or consultant, you get:

✨ 3 decades of strategic business experience in DEIB, criminal justice, SEND, disability, social care &  high-profile public critical incidents (e.g.London riots, Grenfell, bombings)  
✨Understanding of compliance, regulatory inspection, safeguarding & business continuity (most business mentors don't know these areas well)
✨A passion for social entrepreneurs to be paid for their cause
✨Appreciation of my unique 5 pillar assessment ‘BLEND’ Model, DEIB & Compassion for lasting results.

Working with larger businesses in organisational development i'm the safe, experienced lead having assisted household names such as, Coca-Cola, BBC, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, MIND & NHS. 

So yes, I’m the person you want on board in a crisis.! My clients describe me as a"critical friend" i'm compassionate, straightforward & described as Fairy Dust personified. 

Notable achievements include:

🎯Identified >£1 million uncharged fees in an audit for PLC company<2 weeks.
🎯An ‘outstanding’ inspection for The Ministry of Justice < 6 months in post
🎯Cut agency staff expenditure by 80k per month (£1 million loss per annum)<2 months.
🎯Delivered diversity training for the Met Police for Stephen Lawrence Macpherson Inquiry 
🎯Assisted a start up from minus deficit to £117k in 8 months

I take time to understand people whilst inspiring, supporting & empowering. Although working with larger corporations, I share my learning, experience & gifts with social entrepreneurs starting out on their journey.

SO ARE YOU :-

✔️An organisation requiring specialist advice or inclusive approaches
✔️Looking to develop business acumen to lead an organisation well or secure a C Suite| Board role 
✔️A social entrepreneur| Start Up wanting advice (ROI< 2 months)

Perhaps curious about my 'BLEND' Model or need some #TonisFairyDust? 

If you need a committed, compassionate business mentor or management consultant with decades of experience, making a difference & impact call +44 (0)203 504 0250

Critical Friend & Business Mentor - Social Causes & StartUps 

A London based boutique business consultancy specialising in working with NGOs and Social Entrepreneurs. We support business in DEIB, Social Impact, Social Justice, Social Mobility areas, and Public Interest Causes. In layman's terms it could be organisations, coaches and consultants who provide services for vulnerable groups e.g Disability, Specialist Education, Social Care and Criminal Justice. 

Work with us if you are:-

💎Organisation- navigating change, crisis, or need to introduce DEIB & Compassionate Leadership
💎Social Entrepreneur or Start Up- Looking to develop your service offer and gain clients
💎A Professional looking to advance professionally in this area to a C Suite or board role

When you work with us you will become a market leader differentiating you from the crowd, we will futureproof or grow your business with the application of the 4Ps People Purpose Planet and Profit (or performance) with clear strategies and practical assistance with support to gain clients and grow.

www.1stlifegroup.com | +44 (0)203 504 0250 | info@1stlifegroup.com

Refer to client testimonials on linkedin and website

Quantum SACC

Set vision and goals for large-scale education programs, achieving 95% alignment with organizational mission and driving measurable impact across multiple projects.

Designed and implemented curricula, training modules, and learning experiences that reached over 15,000 learners/teachers, resulting in a 30–50% improvement in learning outcomes (based on post-training assessments).

Standardized content and quality assurance processes, reducing inconsistencies in delivery by 40% while raising overall satisfaction ratings to 90%+.

Led high-performing teams of educators, trainers, and instructional designers, boosting productivity by 35% through continuous professional development and performance coaching.

Built and sustained partnerships with universities, NGOs, government agencies, and corporate stakeholders, securing multi-million-naira contracts and long-term collaborations.

Represented the organization at high-profile events and forums, positioning it as a thought leader in educational innovation and policy advocacy.

Implemented compliance systems aligned with national and international standards (TRCN, UNESCO, Cambridge, etc.), achieving 100% regulatory approval for training programs.

Pioneered technology integration strategies, including LMS adoption and AI-powered learning tools, which improved learner engagement by 50% and cut delivery costs by 25%.

Developed KPIs and performance dashboards to track outcomes, producing data-driven reports that increased funder confidence and unlocked X% growth in donor/funding support.

Drove EdTech product strategy for digital learning solutions, directly contributing to 77% growth in user engagement and improved retention rates.

Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within training programs, ensuring 100% alignment with global best practices and advancing organizational reputation.

Head of Education

stopCSAM

Policy Advocacy: Driving systemic change by engaging with lawmakers to strengthen legislation against CSAM. Leading advocacy efforts, engaging policymakers and stakeholders to advance child protection laws.


Technology Collaboration: Partnering with tech companies to develop tools and solutions that detect and prevent online exploitation. Collaborating with industry leaders to integrate safety mechanisms into digital platforms.


Community Engagement: Building networks with educators, parents, and grassroots organizations to promote digital safety. Spearheading outreach initiatives, empowering communities with knowledge and tools to safeguard children online.


Leadership: Steering organizational strategy and ensuring impactful program delivery. Managing organizational growth, ensuring alignment with mission and sustainability goals.

Co-Founder | Child Protection Advocate | Driving Policy Change | Empowering Safer Digital Spaces

Pristine SACC Education and Technology Initiative

At Pristine SACC Education and Technology Initiative, we strive to create a future where every individual, regardless of their background or location, has the digital skills, resources, and knowledge to thrive in an interconnected world. In my role, I oversee the development and implementation of our key programs focused on:

Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising: Building and nurturing relationships with donors, corporate partners, and community organizations to ensure sustainable funding and resource allocation.

Policy Advocacy: Working to influence local and national policies on digital inclusion and equity to ensure broader systemic support for underserved communities.

Program Development & Impact Measurement: Leading the design and assessment of programs, ensuring they are effective, scalable, and measurable in terms of both social and educational impact.

Our work has led to increased digital access, improved job prospects, and a stronger sense of empowerment for those who would otherwise be left behind in the digital age. Through ongoing collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital inclusion.

Co-Founder & Partnership Director 

We support African communities to become global citizens.

Every day, I move the initiative forward to achieving the vision by; researching and developing content to teach, inspire and educate communities about (entrepreneurship, global citizenship, SDGs, advocacy, digital media technology etc.). Organizing subject matter expert knowledge sharing with community stakeholders, meeting stakeholders monthly to discuss their pains, aspirations and motivations and leading strategic formulation, goal definition, and content creation in the organization.

Program Manager

Brainstack Academy

Strategic Advisor

Brainstack Academy is an online institute that provides high-quality digital marketing training for Africans. Our goal is to help you build a profitable career in digital marketing from the comfort of your home anywhere in Africa. In the next 5-10 years, we hope to equip at least 100,000 Africans with in-demand digital skills.

Partner

Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative

Spearheaded the publication of 15+ high-impact research reports addressing gender rights, governance, and SDG implementation in Nigeria.

Influenced 5 national policy changes through evidence-based advocacy and strategic partnerships with policymakers.

Directed 3 large-scale community-based research projects that reached over 20,000 beneficiaries in underprivileged regions.

Pioneered the use of data visualization and technology tools to create compelling, accessible reports that enhanced public engagement.

Led the development of a digital research platform for tracking progress on SDGs at the community level, increasing efficiency by 30%.

Collaborated with 50+ grassroots organizations and community leaders to ensure inclusivity in research design and execution.

Trained and mentored over 200 volunteers and young researchers in ethical research practices and methodologies.

Established partnerships with 10 international research institutions, resulting in a 25% increase in funding for research projects.

Secured $500,000+ in grants to support research initiatives on climate action, digital rights, and gender inclusivity.

Head of Research

Developed and implemented a comprehensive strategy to drive the organization’s contributions toward the United Nations’ Decade of Action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led cross-sectoral initiatives to localize and integrate SDG targets into community projects, fostering impactful grassroots change.

Designed and executed community-centered programs aligned with key SDGs, including gender equality, climate action, quality education, and reduced inequalities.

Oversaw project lifecycle management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure sustainability.

Conducted training sessions and workshops to build local capacity for understanding, implementing, and tracking progress on SDGs.

Advocated for policy reforms and increased investment in SDG-related programs at local, national, and international forums.

Fostered partnerships with government agencies, private sector entities, NGOs, and international organizations to accelerate SDG implementation.

Coordinated multi-stakeholder initiatives to drive awareness, resource mobilization, and project sustainability.

Developed monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of SDG interventions.

Compiled and analyzed data to generate periodic reports on progress toward achieving SDG targets.

Collaborated with community leaders and youth advocates to design locally relevant interventions addressing pressing SDG challenges.

Encouraged active participation of marginalized groups, ensuring inclusivity in all SDG programs.

Head of SDGs (Decade of Action)

Tech With Africa

I create content on emerging trends in technology. Tech With Africa is a tech journalism platform that decentralizes tech information, builds capacity and localizes tech concepts for African communities.

1. Providing strategic operational efficiencies and guidance to the team

2. Developing and implementing procedures for outreach, project implementation and fund raising

3. Providing high quality training and mentorship programs for staffs, interns and other stakeholders

4. Monitoring and managing content creation and quality control

5. Conducting extensive fact-checking, and developing impactful data-driven project ideas.

Lead Partner

CodeVillage LLC

Tech for Everyone - CodeVillage builds tech products, tech teams and impacts the community by localizing tech knowledge.

1. Providing strategic guidance to staff, interns and students trainees 

2. Developing and guiding the implementation of growth strategy such as outreach, hunting, attracting and onboarding quality clients and investors

3. Providing high impact coaching and advisory support for staff and interns

4. Providing support to the staff members for ideation, design, testing and launching of the products

Strategy Consultant

ReD Associates

Conducted extensive research on covid vaccine hesitancy in specific communities in Nigeria.

1. Identified viable and fully representative communities to conduct the research 

2. Examined the interview questions and adapted them to suit the average Nigerian understanding

3. Interacted with gate keepers and community liaisons to select respondents for the survey

4. Conducted deep dives, informant interviews and community observations in the 4 representative states and capture the exact subject matters

5. Wrote and delivered extensive and visually appealing reports to foster understanding 

6. Took part in the insights and findings sessions and contributed in the suggestion of impactful ideas

Research Consultant

KnowCovid-19.ng

1. Managed and monitored the US Embassy-sponsored Fake News and Myth busting Campaign across 2 states in Northern Nigeria 

2. Coordinated engagements, trainings and meeting within the volunteer circle 

3. Researched and created content of radio recordings and productions.

Data Analyst (Insight and Strategy)

Utiva

1. Worked with the rest of the team to attract opportunities and support so that we can reach more Africans to transition into tech roles by making our products accessible and affordable for them.

Growth Opportunity Writer

Using Storytelling and Content Marketing Techniques to Build a Community of Corp Members Becoming the "Future of Works" Professionals by...

1. Planned activities and resources for our product masterclasses held in the States in the North Central Part of Nigeria 

2. Canvassed and recruited corp members to subscribe to our products

3. Organized and motivated a team of project leads

4. Estimated cost and developed the budget

5. Ensured that our clients, the corp members get value and are satisfied

6. Analyzed, managed project risk and monitored progress

7. Controlled time management

Project Lead

Educational leader and strategist, and a Ph.D researcher in Educational Management with over 14 years of progressive experience in teaching, school leadership, and digital education transformation. Proven expertise in educational policy, curriculum development, EdTech integration, and digital literacy advocacy. Passionate about ethical AI, digital rights, and youth empowerment. Currently working with upcoming voices, future leaders and emerging leaders to shape the digital rights culture.  Open to high-impact remote opportunities with international organizations and global speaking engagements on the future of education, leadership, and digital ethics.

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The Battle

Toni McLelland MSc FRSA

Sodiq A.

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