Keynotes · Working sessions · Podcasts

More people won't
clear the backlog

I'm Stuart Corrigan. I show operations leaders why headcount, overtime and new software never clear a backlog for long — and what does. Evidence from real redesigns, not slideware. A room leaves with one idea it can act on, and the proof behind it.

Amazon UK #1 author
25+ years in operations
50+ change programmes
Check availability See the talks A short enquiry — not a commitment. We reply within two working days.
Stuart Corrigan
Two decades of operations work across
Client organisations Stuart has worked with
The speaker

A timely, evidence-led voice — not motivational theatre

Stuart Corrigan is the founder of Descartes Consulting and an Amazon UK #1 bestselling author (Waterfall Project ER). Over 25 years he has redesigned service operations across insurance, banking, pensions and the public sector — removing the conditions that create backlogs, and proving it on the numbers: he cut a 100,000-case claims backlog from 508 days to 35.

Operations leaders are under pressure to cut cost, lift service and "add AI" all at once. Stuart gives a room the one idea that makes those goals compatible instead of competing. His talks carry the same voice as his work: direct, evidence-led, free of jargon. Audiences don't leave inspired — they leave able to see their own operation differently.

At a glance
  • Amazon UK #1 in Project Management (Waterfall Project ER)
  • Author of Claims ER
  • Co-founder, Vanguard Scotland (with John Seddon)
  • Ex Commercial Director, Goldratt UK
  • Ex Head of Agile, Lloyds Banking Group
  • Executive MBA with Distinction, Cardiff
  • Certified: Systems Thinking & Theory of Constraints
Timely

Cost, service and AI pressure are converging on operations teams right now — and most "AI-first" answers quietly make the backlog worse.

Evidence-led

Hard numbers from real engagements, shown on control charts — not slogans, and not a hype reel.

Tailored

Built around your audience and sector — the kind of session senior operators stay in the room for.

Speaking topics

The talks

Each one gets into how the work actually flows, and the one thing to fix first. No keynote theatre. Every talk is shaped around the audience in the room.

01

Why backlogs resist the usual fixes

Headcount, overtime and new software rarely clear a backlog for long — it comes back, because the real cause is a single constraint hidden inside a complex flow.

The room leaves withHow to separate the few weak links that drive the backlog from the dozens that don't.
Ideal for claims,
operations & service leaders
02

The dashboard is telling you the wrong story

SLA averages hide what's really happening. Look past the average and the real story of an operation appears — the variation, the trend, and where the queue is genuinely built.

The room leaves withA sharper, honest way to read their own numbers — past the averages that hide the problem.
Ideal for operations
& transformation leaders
03

Why AI amplifies a broken process

AI can't compensate for fragmented data, unclear ownership or broken flow. Point it at those and you scale the mess. Redesign the work first — then automate what's left.

The room leaves withA clear view of where AI actually belongs in a service operation — and where it doesn't, yet.
Ideal for GBS, shared-service
& finance leaders
04

Clear the backlog, and stop choosing between cost and service

Leaders are told to pick two of better service, higher productivity and lower cost. Redesign the backlog around its one constraint and all three move together — proven when a 100,000-case backlog fell from 508 days to 35.

The room leaves withThe case for treating the backlog as a design problem, not an effort problem.
Ideal for senior operations
& commercial leaders
Ways to work together

Formats

Keynote
30–60 min, main stage
Panel & fireside
Moderated or in conversation
Podcast guest
Remote, host-led

Available in-person across the UK & Europe and virtually worldwide. Content is shaped around your audience, sector and the outcome you want in the room.

The evidence

One engagement, in numbers

A backlog of well over 100,000 cases at one of the world's largest insurers. No new system, no extra headcount — one constraint removed.

508
→
35
days to close a claim, before and after
So what?  The number didn't drift down over years. It dropped — once the one constraint was removed. And it held.
2.8×
Productivity increase
61%
Fewer failure-demand calls
30%
Reduction in FTE required
73%
Shorter payment lifecycle

Figures from a documented engagement. Talks are tailored; the underlying method is the same one applied here.

In their words

Leaders who've worked with Stuart

"His differentiator is his ability to analyse an organisation and know exactly what to change to get results — fast. If you need lasting change, contact Stuart."
Richard Beaven
Richard Beaven
Chief Executive (acting), Pension Protection Fund · ex-Lloyds Banking Group
"Using Stuart and his team's approach transformed my way of working — we cut costs, reduced the backlog and improved service, finally delivering value when we said we would."
Tia Millar
Tia Millar
Chief Product Officer, Safeguard Global
"This process is brilliant in its simplicity. Stuart takes you into the work — you won't need to be talked into anything, you'll see it for yourself."
John Dunnion
John Dunnion
Head of Agile, Major Bank
Enquire

Bring Stuart to your stage or team

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Event date & locationWho's in the room (roles, sector)Your theme or outcomeFormatIn-person or virtual
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