About us
Experienced advisors.
On your side.
We are a small, senior team with a shared conviction: AI can enhance rather than replace human effort. We help SMEs embed it responsibly, sustainably, and in a way that actually sticks.
How we think
Technology follows people.
Not the other way around.
Too many AI projects start with the tool and work backwards. We start with your people — how they work, what slows them down, what they're trying to achieve — and build from there.
Our approach is deliberately technology-agnostic. We have no vendor relationships and no preferred platforms. That independence lets us give you a straight answer.
"Through exploration and the development of solutions that truly matter, we deliver AI outcomes that drive real business value."Giles & Theo, Beside Partners
The partners
With nearly 30 years of business and technology leadership across commercial, public, and third sectors, Giles helps clients navigate complexity and make confident decisions.
He brings a straightforward, no-jargon approach to guiding organisations through transformation — whether that means choosing the right tools, aligning leadership, or simply working out where to start.
Before founding Beside Partners, Giles held senior roles across the NHS, local government, and private sector technology businesses.
Theo works at the intersection of business strategy, customer experience, and product design. He has spent his career helping organisations navigate digital transformation — making sure that technology genuinely empowers people rather than complicating their work.
He believes AI should help us work better, not just faster. That conviction shapes every engagement.
Theo also publishes Humans After All, a newsletter on AI adoption read by practitioners across Europe.
You ask, we answer
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Beside Partners?
Beside Partners was founded by Giles Thurston and Theo Paraskevopoulos. Giles brings nearly 30 years of business and technology leadership across commercial, public, and third sectors. Theo works at the intersection of business strategy, customer experience, and product design.
Are you independent from AI vendors?
Completely. We have no vendor partnerships, referral arrangements, or preferred platforms. Our only obligation is to give clients a straight, honest answer.
Do you work internationally?
Yes. Giles is based in Cambridge, UK and Theo in Cologne, Germany. We work with clients across the UK and Europe and travel on-site where engagements require it.
What sectors do you have experience in?
Our combined experience spans commercial, public, and third sectors — including technology businesses, professional services, manufacturing, and local government.
How is Beside Partners different from a large consultancy?
You work directly with the partners throughout — not account managers or junior consultants. We are deliberately small and senior, which means faster decisions, honest conversations, and clear accountability to results.