Fistral works with researchers, professional and support staff across Europe. For almost 20 years we have been specifically supporting HEIs and research-focused/knowledge-intensive organisations.
Fistral Training and Consultancy has been delivering Project Management (PM) training since 1991. Over these years the organisation has grown from its original Glasgow base to support researchers, professional and support staff across Europe in four specialised areas: Project Management, Leading & Influencing, Communication & Collaboration, and Personal Effectiveness. For almost 20 years we have been specifically supporting HEIs and research-focused/knowledge-intensive organisations.
Pictured above, “The Kelpies” near Falkirk in Scotland, 30 miles from Fistral’s office in Glasgow
Fistral Mission Statement:
We believe that training should change working practices in a measurable, positive way. The training experience should be stimulating and enjoyable as well as instructive.
This vision is at the heart of everything we do. This practical ethos remains central to all of our work and is reflected in consistently excellent course & trainer ratings, as well as extremely positive participant & customer feedback.
Supporting Industry
The Fistral team has been involved in many major multi-million pound global projects, including assisting staff working in industries such as space, aerospace, information technology, local government, councils, nuclear, engineering, financial services, education, water, energy, health, housing, public-sector, third-sector and NGOs. Trainers regularly deliver for major organisations within these sectors in the UK, The Netherlands, German, Spain, France, Italy.
Consultants have worked and run projects in locations as diverse as Zurich, Shanghai, Johannesburg, New York, Ljubljana, Oslo and Geneva, as well as managing collaborative projects with locations including Hong Kong and Bangalore from the head office in Glasgow.
Supporting Research
Fistral has a strong and well-evidenced background in consultancy and training for researchers. From our very beginnings in 1991 we have worked with globally-recognised organisations and Universities to support research students and research staff at all levels
Our customer list shows the range of knowledge-intensive organisations and sectors we support: from the arts, health, humanities, agriculture and social sciences – to engineering, space, energy, materials and technology research. We work with many Russell Group Universities as well as globally and internationally recognised Training Networks and research-intensive organisations.
Supporting the Space Sector
With over 10 years’ experience within the Space Sector, Fistral has a wealth of understanding and practical expertise supporting all types of staff working on high-profile missions. Our customised suite of courses tailored specifically for Space and delivered with ESA and partners across Europe includes: Project Management, Risk Management, Agile Product Management, Team Leadership, Team Working, Advanced Leadership, Professional Communication, Assertiveness, Constructive Ways to Manage Difficult Behaviour, Time Management, Schedule Control, and Decision-Making skills.
Linked to the relevance and usefulness of the training, we are often asked to deliver bespoke workshops for staff involved in projects such as Galileo, Rosetta, and the International Space Station (ISS). For example, we have successfully delivered customised Risk Assessment workshops with live outputs for senior staff working on European Space Agency ATHENA and JUICE missions, and at the European Space Operations Center (ESOC). We also partner with organisations supporting the space sector such as LSE Space, HE Space, Terma, AOES and ATG.
The Fistral Team
Fraser, Director
Rosie, Associate
Dave, Associate
Cath, Associate
Pauline, Customers
Kay, Events
Carol, Invoicing
Paul, Director
Why Fistral?
Ratings & Feedback are Consistently “Very Good” or “Excellent”
Fistral courses scored 4.75 average overall from 2019-2023.
(out of 5, based on Fistral evaluation forms, 5=Excellent, June 2019-Feb 2023).
We offer a unique partnership, commitment, understanding & focus on research-, university- public-sector and industry-specific issues
Fistral’s customer base list shows the range of organisations and sectors we support: from the arts, health, humanities, environmental, agriculture and social sciences – to engineering, space, nuclear, power, energy, materials and technology. We regularly support all levels of professional, research, support and administrative staff; from MSc and PhD level to CFOs and University President.
In addition to HR, OD and researcher development training, we work with specific departments such as library, careers, HR, estates, IT, student services, and procurement. Trainers have delivered for employees on high-profile projects such as CERN, Galileo, Rosetta and the International Space Station, and with partners supporting employees and internships at AWE, the Barnes Group, Boeing, EDF Energy, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Unilever.
Expertise & Credible Reputation Across Europe
We have proven experience delivering practical training in many different, diverse sectors and within world-class organisations globally. Trainers work with many European University and industry partners, and support staff in national and international organisations such as DLR (German Aerospace), AOES Group BV, AURORA technology BV, LSE Space GmbH and BV, ATG Europe BV, and Terma GmbH, to deliver Leadership, Communication and Personal Effectiveness training as well as Project Management and Risk training for the European Space sector at sites across Europe.
Our high-quality work and strong reputation across Europe, and particularly with our partners in Ireland, has grown so much that in 2019 we were delighted to incorporate Fistral Training and Consultancy in Ireland.
Breadth of Disciplines, Sectors & Participants
Fistral’s customer base list shows the range of organisations and sectors we support: from the arts, health, humanities, environmental, agriculture and social sciences – to engineering, space, nuclear, power, energy, materials and technology.
We regularly support all levels of professional, research, support and administrative staff; from MSc and PhD level to CFOs and University President. As well as HR, OD and researcher development training, we work with specific departments such as library, careers, HR, estates, IT, student services, and procurement.
Many Russell Group Universities, Post-1992 Universities, Doctoral Colleges, DTCs, CDTs, Catapult Centres and other globally and internationally recognised Training Networks and research-intensive organisations across Europe choose Fistral.
Ease of Customisation & Certification
Courses can be taken off-the-shelf or adapted with minimal development to, for example: reflect a bespoke methodology; focus on areas of particular importance; or meet an industry or professional accreditation need.
Flexibility in Delivery, Approach & Complementing Existing Provision
Training can be delivered onsite, online or in blended format. With a range of expertise across our whole Product Suite, our provision can be adapted to complement a variety of audience needs and organisational approaches to training, as well as dovetailing and integrating easily and efficiently to complement existing programmes.
“Very useful for CPD” – Project Management in the Real World for staff 4.87
Loughborough University staff joined Fistral onsite for our Project Management in the Real World training. The group rated the training...
“Huge scope for application” – CAPM Preparation
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath joined us online for Fistral’s CAPM Preparation webinar...
“Practical skills that can be applied or transferred” – Project Management in the Real World
A second group of staff from Loughborough University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training....
“Really informative and worthwhile” – PMRW 4.91 score from staff
Staff at Loughborough University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training. The group rated the...
“Engaging and useful” – 4.77 for Intro PM
A second group of PGR’s at the University of Manchester, Graphene NOWNANO CDT joined Fistral onsite for our Introduction to...
“Very engaging speaker” – University of Manchester CDT
PGR’s from the University of Manchester, Graphene NOWNANO CDT joined Fistral onsite for a session entitled Introduction to Project Management....
CDT rates CAPM training 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Manchester iCAT Centre for Doctoral Training logged on to Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session....
CAPM Prep course rated 5 out of 5 – “You learn a lot”
Fistral delivered our CAPM Preparation training course onsite to PGRs at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. This session prepares...
100% recommend Advanced PM
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath joined us online for Fistral’s Advanced Project Management...
Assertive Communication -100% would recommend
Researchers at Ulster University logged on to our webinar session entitled Assertive Communication for the PhD Researcher. The group gave...
4.90 for Project Risk Management – “Applicable to many situations”
Postgraduate researchers at the University of Strathclyde Doctoral School joined us onsite in Glasgow for a session entitled Project Risk...
5 out of 5 for Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship – “Great session for anyone starting a PhD”
PhD students from the University of Liverpool who logged on to Fistral’s Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship webinar session, gave...
“One of only a few genuinely useful PM courses” – PM tools for Researchers 4.78
Staff at the University of Bristol joined us for a training session called Project Management Tools for Managing Your Research...
4.70 for Leadership & Teambuilding Techniques “Useful content for teams of any size”
PGRs at The University of Strathclyde joined Fistral onsite for a training course entitled Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques. The group...
“A good introduction to Project Management” – PM techniques for research
We were joined online by Post Graduate Researchers at the University of Bristol for parts 1 & 2 of Fistral's...
“Worth every minute” – Intro to Project Planning rates 4.83
Staff from the University of Manchester joined us online for a training session entitled Introduction to Project Planning. The group...
Good for future career prospects – Project Management in the Real World rated 4.82
Joining us onsite at the University of Strathclyde, a cohort of PhD students undertook Fistral’s Project Management in the Real...
“Some very useful techniques” – Procrastination Busting 4.67
Postgraduate Researchers at Ulster University logged on to Fistral’s webinar session Get Unstuck: Procrastination Busting. The attendees rated the course...
100% would recommend – Risk Management Webinar
A mixed group of research staff and PhDs at the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s Risk Management webinar...
“Practical and applicable” – PM Essentials (Part 4)
A group from The University of Exeter Doctoral College logged on to Part 4 of a webinar series entitled Project...
“Helpful introduction to project management” – Intro to PM rated 4.50
A mix of PhDs and research staff from The University of Bath logged on to our Introduction to Project Management...
Advanced Project Management – rated 5 out of 5
Joining us onsite recently at Strathclyde Doctoral School, a cohort of PGR’s undertook Fistral’s Advanced Project Management training. The group...
“Great tools for work and research” – Time Management rates 4.92
PhD students from Ulster University Doctoral College logged on to Fistral’s webinar session Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting....
“Lots of helpful tips for Research Projects” – Intro to Project Planning
Staff at The University of Manchester joined us online for Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning webinar training. The group gave...
Perfect 5/5 from Liverpool Doctoral College – Time Management training
Fistral welcomed students from the University of Liverpool Doctoral College online for a training session Taking Charge of Your Time:...
ECRs say PM for Researcher training is “Very helpful for developing realistic plans”
Researchers from The University of Exeter Doctoral College joined us for Part 3 of a webinar series Project Management Essentials...
“Useful, relatable and applicable” – Project Management in the Real World rates 4.93
Fistral was welcomed onsite at Loughborough University for a training session Project Management in the Real World (PMRW). The group...
4.83 for PM Essentials for Researchers – staff say “I wish I had taken the course 5 years ago!”
Researcher staff from The University of Exeter once more joined us for Part 2 of a webinar series entitled Project...
“Applicable to my current work” – PM Essentials for Researchers (Part 1)
Researcher staff from The University of Exeter Doctoral College joined us online for Part 1 of a webinar series entitled...
Intro to Project Planning (Part 3): Rated 4.8 “Real-life examples make it memorable”
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to Part 3 of Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning course, entitled Creating...
Resilience skills are “Important to successfully navigate the PhD journey” – 5 out of 5 rating
PhD students from Ulster University Doctoral College gave Fistral’s webinar session Build Your Resilience and Take your PhD in your...
“Tailor-made for PhD” – Time Management is “A truly enlightening experience”
Joining us online for a webinar session entitled Keeping on Top of Your PhD: Personal Time Management Strategies were a...
Risk training is “Necessary in our PhD” – Doctoral College student
The third of four training courses in our CAPM professional certification series, Project Risk Management, was delivered onsite to a...
5 out of 5 for CAPM Preparation
Onsite once more at The University of Strathclyde, we delivered Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training course to a group of PhD...
“Useful real-world application” – 4.92 for Risk Management
We welcomed a cohort of PhD students and research staff at all levels from The University of Bath online for...
4.88 for PMRW – “Very useful, especially in the context of research”
Onsite at The University of Strathclyde Teaching and Learning Building, we delivered Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training...
4.77, “Insightful and relevant to PhD” – Supervisory Relationship training
PhD students at the Doctoral College in the University of Strathclyde joined us online for a webinar entitled Creating a...
“Informative and well-organised” – Intro to PM for research staff and students
A group of research staff and PhDs from The University of Bath joined us online for a training session Introduction...
“Really impactful” – Professional Communication Skills for PhDs
We welcomed a cohort of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year PhD students from the University of Strathclyde Doctoral College to...
“Best course ever” – 5 out of 5 for Leadership and Teambuilding training
Onsite at The University of Strathclyde, we delivered a training course called Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques. The attendees gave a...
“Really worthwhile – lots of practical tools” – PM Tools for Managing Your Research Project post-award
Joining us onsite for a new training session entitled Project Management Tools for Managing Your Research Project was a group...
“Engaging and useful” – Intro to Project Planning for Doctoral College students
Postgraduate Researchers from The University of Manchester joined us online for Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning webinar session. The Doctoral...
“Extremely useful for career” – Advanced PM training
Onsite for this session, we welcomed a group of PhD students from the University of Strathclyde, to a training course...
“Perfect for both students and professionals” – Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting’ rates 5 out of 5
We welcomed a group of PhD students from the University of Strathclyde Doctoral College online to a webinar entitled Taking...
CAPM Exam Prep webinar – “The tools were really helpful”
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to a Fistral CAPM Prep webinar session. This training prepares attendees to...
“Transferrable skills for real-life” – Conflict in Teams webinar rated 4.5
Logging on to Fistral’s webinar session Managing Conflict in Teams were staff from The University of Dundee, who rated the...
“Transferrable tools and real-life scenarios” – Making Decisions in Stressful Circumstances
Staff at The University of Dundee logged on to a Fistral webinar session entitled Making Decisions in Stressful Circumstances. The...
“The tools were really helpful” – Introduction to Project Planning for Researchers (Part 4)
A group of staff from The University of Dundee logged on to Part 4 of Fistral's Introduction to Project Planning...
4.92 for Risk Management – PhDs say “in-depth real-life experiences that help convey the message”
Fistral hosted an onsite training course for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Strathclyde entitled Risk Management in the Real...
“Great tools to plan PhD” – Part 3 rates 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Ulster Doctoral College joined us once more for part three of our four-part Introduction...