Interview: Tactical transformer

Despite employing around only 50 staff, consultancy firm Impower is making big waves in children's services.

Since its formation in 1999, the company has worked with the children's services departments of more than 20 authorities, imparting advice on areas ranging from early intervention and fostering through to performance management and efficiency. However, in recent months, its profile has soared after it was tasked with driving changes within children's services in Doncaster and Sandwell, in deals worth a combined £3m.

But, given that local authorities are full of experts working with children and young people, are private sector consultants really necessary? "There are a lot of different skills required to affect change," says Martin Cresswell, who has been chief executive of Impower for the past six years. "Financial skills, business process skills, change management skills. Just because you are a great social worker doesn't mean you are a great change management expert. With much of the downsizing of local government, some of those skills have been lost."