Testimonials from our training course attendees

Our training courses have helped hundreds of leaders and teams get better at data. Well over 200 have attended formal training courses and many more have been upskilled through our workshops, data maturity events and consultancy work.

93% of attendees of our Data for Leaders course say they’re leaving the training with what they need to know about data in their organisation. 100% leave our Building Data Culture course with a better understanding of data culture, how it’s shaped and its value. Read on for a small selection of the most recent feedback on our data training courses.

Last updated July 2026

 
 

Data for Leaders testimonials

Data for Leaders feedback: I learned such a lot about leadership, culture, strategy, tools and techniques to distil our strategy
I found it included lots of really helpful topics. I valued the chance to discuss with fellow attendees. The sessions were engaging and the presenters were knowledgeable.
— Attendee of May 2026 open cohort
The Data for Leaders content found the sweet spot between technical concepts and strategic considerations, which was exactly what I was looking for. This balance was important for me in leading a technical team, being able to ask better questions (and better understand the answers!), whilst also being able to show how our data plans help to deliver our organisational strategy. I would definitely recommend it to others 5 stars!!
— Steve Thorlby-Coy, Director of Transformation, Hospice UK
This course really helped my confidence in prioritising our data projects, and discussing technical data work as a non-technical person. It really helped me to understand my role in setting the organisation up to collect, analyse and use data more effectively. The weekly sessions meant that I had time to reflect and start to put changes in place as the course progressed. I recommend taking this course :-)
— Attendee of an in-house version of the course
 
It gives everyone attending a good strong foundation to understand data and the utility of it in any organisation.
— Dr Paul Jarvis, Commercial Director, The Together Trust
As myself and the Chief Executive completed this it has given us both a much more considered view of the importance of good data and an appropriate culture. We have had richer conversations and have a joined up approach.
— Helen Bradley, Director of Resources, Keyring
The course has given me lots of food for thought which will help to inform the development of our new data strategy and I will be going back to some of the resources to help me develop this.
— Attendee of a network version of the course
 
The course was thought provoking and introduced new concepts that is great for our organisation.
— Ngaryan Li, CEO, Vauxhall Law Centre
Thank you for a really helpful course which has re-invigorated my motivation to develop what we do in this area. The course was really well facilitated, and the insights from other participants were also really helpful.
— Attendee of a network version of the course
This course has provided us with an excellent framework for evaluating where we are on our data maturity journey, mapping out our next steps, and has ensured that our senior leaders are well equipped to take us on that journey.
— Mhoraig Green, Head of Strategy, Citizens Advice Scotland
 
We have had better conversations about data internally as an organisation and at board level.
— From our long term post-course feedback
I learned such a lot about leadership, culture, strategy, tools and techniques to distil our strategy, and that it doesn’t all have to be about everything becoming more complicated. I feel it’s an essential foundation.
— Attendee of a network version of the course
Really well structured and helped make a big tricky subject (which is not my area of specialism) into what seems like a manageable and approachable task.
— Attendee of an in-house version of the course
 
 
 

Building Data Culture testimonials

 
I think it would apply to anyone who has responsibility for delivering change for data and systems/platforms
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture course
This course is perfect for anyone who wants to improve data culture within their organisation. It’s not just about improving data literacy - it’s about building confidence, curiosity, and shared ownership around data. You’ll walk away with both insight and tools you can immediately apply in your context.
— Anushka Gunes, Impact Information and Data Officer, Equality Now
Very knowledgeable facilitators, greatly appreciated the overview of topics and regular recaps!
— Attendee of our first open bulding data culture course
 
It’s not just theory - Already after the first session I was able to adapt an activity we did and use it in my organisation to start the conversation of what data culture means to us.
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture course
The course was really engaging. The timing was perfect for me as I am about to embark upon a series of activities to support adoption of our new CRM and improve data culture. The practical elements were really useful and the opportunity to talk to peers who are experiencing similar issues.
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture course
I think the pace of it was really helpful - a good balance of creating momentum and giving space for reflection between sessions. I really liked the variety of examples and practical tools shared. Sometimes training can lean quite theoretical, but instead the examples shared felt so practical and very much applicable and adaptable for participants to take up. I also liked the opportunities to share experiences among one another.
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture Course
 
It is very difficult to carve out time for this type of activity and the course gives you an opportunity to do this in a really engaging way with time to reflect between sessions.
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture course
I found the reflection process sparked by the blend of plenary and group sessions really valuable. I also learned a lot from both the course leaders who were excellent and my peers in similar or different organisational contexts
— Attendee of our first open Building Data Culture course
Before attending the Data Culture course, our team was struggling to consider practical steps to improve our data culture and take into account inconsistent data practices across the organisation. The course reminded me that the basis of data culture is people and to consider what resonates with each audience. We could adapt strategies to fit, which will collectively aid building a cohesive and effective data culture.
— Pauline Barlow, Social Security Scotland
 
 
 

Custom data training courses testimonials

Data Orchard get the voluntary sector, they understand the challenges and the environment in which we work, where it can be difficult to measure the impact of your work. Their approach is considered, thought through and collaborative, which was a huge support to us during the delivery of the training and previous work developing a new TSSW impact measurement framework.
— From custom training delivered to WCVA member organisations
 
Hannah was amazing! She understood our needs right from the start. Hannah’s depth of knowledge both on the technical side and the theory was impressive and neatly fit the skillset gap we had... Hannah was excellent delivering the in person training we held in Nairobi and as a result we asked to keep her on to prepare content for and deliver the database input training virtually to the whole of the programs team.
— Anushka Gunes, Impact Information and Data Officer, Equality Now
 
Great training, tailored for our needs & budget. Really helped us examine the data we collect with our work & how can/should be using it better to show our impact as an organisation.
— From a custom training/capacity-building course
 
We are now rolling out four data skills workshops that have been personalized to meet our needs and the needs of our staff. They have been met with fantastic feedback and we’re already seeing examples of staff using the skills they’ve learnt in their daily jobs, specific projects and setting goals and objectives.
— Emma Slade, Learning and Development Manager, Surrey County Council
 
The training masterfully delivered by Mads and Hannah was quite a challenge as we wanted to involve as many TSSW staff as possible to attend each sessions, but thanks to the great communication between us and Data Orchard the training was delivered with success, as showed also by the feedback received from participants.
— From custom training delivered to WCVA and TSSW