A consultancy you can depend on

With decades of proven industry experience,
you’re in safe hands at Cornerstone Consultancy

Why Cornerstone Consultancy?

Driving innovation and change in business requires partnerships, and for partnerships to flourish, it all comes down to the quality of the relationship.

Our mission is to deeply understand your unique business challenges. We are here to guide you along the road to success, even when the journey might not always be straightforward and unexpected turns come your way. 

With Cornerstone Consultancy joining you on this journey, you can be confident that you have a reliable partner who will ask the difficult questions, point out the road less trodden, and help challenge you and your business to reach the summit of your ambition and beyond.

At Cornerstone, we recognise that we are all different and that no one solution fits all. We embrace the present while looking beyond into the future. Keep scrolling to learn more about our services and case studies or to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.

Our Services

Business Improvement

We provide a friendly challenge to your business activities, helping you formulate, create and implement new procedures that position your business to be a better and more successful player in your market, working with you to review what you have, breaking it down into its core elements and identifying the best route forward.

Risk & Corporate Governance

These fundamental subjects are essential to navigating your ever-changing landscape. We work with you to set up a roadmap for diligent, coherent and meaningful solutions, ensuring you deliver much more than a tick-box approach.

Business Development

We understand how to grow in critical locations around the globe. Whether a licence, launching a new branch, strategic alliance, relationship development or something completely different, we can help.

Non-Executive Director

John has been a Member of the Institute of Directors since 2001 and was admitted as a Fellow in 2010. He was admitted as a Chartered Director in the same year.

He has held many Independent NED positions in a wide range of regulated and unregulated businesses, including as Chairman. He is regulated in Gibraltar as an EIF Director by the GFSC.

Bringing this level of expertise into your organisation is invaluable.

Meet the Principal

John Sheath

For more formal information please see below in FAQs.

So, who is John? His professional journey spans diverse sectors, from banking to manufacturing and even the space sector! Yes, he's had the unique opportunity to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts and has even ventured inside space vehicles. In his down-to-earth life, he's passionate about improving business performance. This passion has driven him to work with a diverse range of clients to help them succeed.

There are a few key principles that guide John's approach. First and foremost, it’s all about the people - whether they're staff, customers, or investors, every relationship is crucial. Secondly, he advocates for a forward-thinking mindset - navigating life & death in space or profit & loss on earth, he believes in keeping one eye on the future while staying grounded in the present.

Life does not stand still. People, products, needs, likes, and dislikes get involved, and technology is the biggest change facilitator/disruptor—it’s essential to scan the horizon.

Outside the office, which on the Isle of Man is a movable feast, his physical office is sometimes in Lower Foxdale, other times in work cafes or client spaces, but sometimes the beach or a sea view can be inspiring and provide that headspace we all need. Getting on his bike is a favourite way to get out and enjoy nature. John is also a keen musician and often plays his guitars, although only for a client once… so far!

He loses golf balls in several places and contemplates life, the universe and sometimes, why we put ourselves through playing golf at all!

FAQs

  • Established in 1996 in the international finance centre of the Isle of Man, we exist to bridge the gap between clients and their business aspirations through start-up facilitation, business development or general business consultancy.

  • Business principal John Sheath has over 30 years of industry experience upon which to draw and in that time has established a network of strategic alliances with other industry professionals, service providers and government departments, both locally and around the world, in order to maintain a comprehensive client support and service offering.

  • John is a highly experienced Chartered Director, independent NED and business consultant, with a diverse portfolio of achievements across various industries, including banking, insurance, funds, and fiduciary services. With his extensive international experience and strong regulatory relations, he provides oversight and governance to several regulated businesses, while also engaging with the IoM Government and the Space industry.

    Throughout his career, John has played a pivotal role in establishing and managing successful businesses. He developed the business of Bradford & Bingley International, obtaining a banking license in Hong Kong and launching an online channel, resulting in significant growth from £2bn to £3.5bn over 6 years. Past roles include being Finance Director of the Royal Bank of Canada Isle of Man. He was one of four individuals from the private sector who worked with the IoM Government in 2004 to create and implement the Zero-Ten Tax Strategy for the Isle of Man.

    John is passionate about learning and integrating technology (particularly Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) into his work.

    With his industry expertise and governance experience, he can assist any organisation seeking growth and innovation. As an Ambassador for the Institute of Directors Chartered Director program, John remains committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.

  • I love to get out on my bike and explore this beautiful Island! We are all on a journey, and it gives me time and space to think beyond the desk.

Get in touch

Case Studies

  • Business Improvement

    A complex trust, corporate, statutory services, aviation, yachting and client accounting business together with a more concise financial services business required complete business procedures writing. Using Data Flow modelling, a thorough review of each entire business, integrated manual and automated processing, enabling a complete manual for each business, satisfying business continuity planning, training, procedures and regulatory requirements.

    Each manual included clips from various systems used providing the uninformed user with the required knowledge in order to complete the required operations, whether a full, partial disaster with completely new or unfamiliar staff in all potential scenarios. Subsequently a regulatory review highly complemented the Procedures Manuals.

  • Business Development

    This Isle of Man based international bank wished to expand its reach into other markets so consultancy support was provided to establish the extent of their growth plans, revising products and services to ensure easiest access to new markets, bearing in mind standard business risk of new products into markets.

    An analysis of current business patterns and review of the strategic plan enabled a plan to be prepared which was reviewed with local management and head office executives resulting in an agreed market development plan for UK & Channel Islands, Europe and the Rest of the World.

    The plan was enacted immediately and assistance was also provided to connect the client with many other businesses who would be potential clients.

  • Business Improvement

    This major European banking group has its main banking presence in Mayfair, London and required a software expert for their new Portia© investment management software solution from Thomson Financial Software. Thomson’s recommended John Sheath having already project managed a Portia© installation in the Isle of Man for a mutual/captive insurance business there. The London project was considerable and was part of a 10 strong team implementing the system change. Responsibilities included maximising the functionality of the software, ensuring all staff were trained and effective in their use of the system, and in report design to facilitate full use of the software. A team of two business analysts reported in directly and this team worked with an internal and externally supplemented IT team to ensure the entire project concluded successfully.

  • Business Improvement

    A leading multi-manager, multi-currency fund administration/management group required an operational review to provide increased cash flow and more efficient management. A full operational review was performed, covering every business activity and area, using SSADM data modeling tools which delivered a complete picture of the business. The resultant report was presented in book style and caused every aspect of the business to be improved and cash flows grew in tandem with the efficiencies that were maximised.

    Amongst many others, the key findings implemented were the appointment of a treasurer, enhanced and more appropriate use of internal audit and a new fund administration system. This latter point resulted in a further project to manage a team of 5 to re-design the business procedures around the new system. As a result, the new data flows were mapped, procedures created and the trainers trained; the staff were subsequently re-trained and the transition to the new system proved smooth and efficient.

  • Business Development

    This Isle of Man based bank wished to enter the deposit market and consultancy support was provided to establish intentions, resources and aspirations. Working with parent representatives and local management, a range of products was designed and specified to meet the goals identified in the strategic review.

    The range of retail and corporate accounts were launched within 6 months of the recommendations being made.

  • Risk & Corporate Governance

    Covering all aspects of a large legal business including trust, corporate, statutory services, all legal services required a full risk review. Using the Cornerstone Consultancy Risk Evaluation Method, risks were: identified with impact analysis and mitigation plans drawn up; risk reporting template used to capture, allocate value based priorities and individual responsibilities, timing and traffic light status; board reporting with impact & likelihood graphically portrayed and with an enhanced PESTLE breakdown.

    The resulting risk strategy was strengthened and enhanced through this process.

    Alongside this, their current systems provided inadequate reporting to enable complete management of the business. The existing systems were researched and solutions provided which were implemented, resulting in clearer management accounting and forecasting/budgeting tools enabling the business to be run more efficiently and effectively.