Two former police officers, Zoe Billings from York and Mark Pannone from North Cumbria, have found remarkable success transitioning from law enforcement to performance consulting, working with organisations across multiple sectors.
Their consultancy, Adapt and Evolve, which they founded after extensive careers in the police, has recently captured international attention through a significant collaboration with the FBI in the United States.
From policing to performance: The creation of Adapt and Evolve
Mark Pannone, previously an Assistant Chief Constable for North Yorkshire Police, and Zoe Billings, his former Staff Officer, decided to apply their collective expertise to a new venture after leaving the force. With more than 50 years of combined experience in operational, strategic, and executive roles, the pair established Adapt and Evolve. The consultancy focuses on enhancing individual and organisational performance through a unique lens—emphasising well-being, stress management, and leadership development.
According to Mark,
“We formed Adapt and Evolve out of a shared vision to address performance gaps within organisations by looking at well-being through a unique lens. We provide training that focuses on the biology of stress, psychological safety, resilience, teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and crisis management.”
Zoe echoed this sentiment, highlighting how their professional experiences in law enforcement helped shape their evidence-based approach.
“We saw a real gap in how organisations understand and improve performance. Our approach is scientific and evidence-based, making a real difference to individuals and teams. Our life experiences in the police, supported by academic rigour, have helped us develop our work.”
A major milestone: Collaborating with the FBI
Adapt and Evolve’s reputation has grown steadily, with their tailored approach gaining recognition on an international level. A key milestone came when they were invited by the FBI to deliver specialised training at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Mark spoke about their work with the FBI, stating,
“Our police background always draws interest, but more importantly, it provides us with more than 50 years of combined experience in managing crises and making defensible decisions. It was a privilege to help one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the world look more closely at their staff’s well-being and performance.”
The training provided by Zoe and Mark was designed to address the high-stress environments that law enforcement officers and staff often face, with a focus on improving mental resilience and overall well-being. This collaboration marks a significant achievement for the consultancy and highlights the global relevance of their work.
Supporting a variety of sectors
Beyond their work with the FBI, Adapt and Evolve has been active across a wide range of industries, including UK police services, legal firms, charities, the NHS, finance, engineering, and educational institutions. Their ability to tailor training to each sector’s unique challenges has been a cornerstone of their success, with measurable impacts reported by participants.
In a testament to their effectiveness, their training has consistently received a 100% satisfaction rate, with 93% of participants reporting positive changes following the sessions. Additionally, 96% of respondents maintained these changes for at least three months after the training.
Evidence-based approach to performance improvement
Adapt and Evolve’s workshops are grounded in scientific research and supported by the founders’ real-world experience managing crises and complex situations during their police careers. Their focus on areas like stress management, psychological safety, and crisis leadership is designed to equip teams and leaders with the tools they need to thrive under pressure.
“Mark and I worked together, and we both saw a real gap in how organisations understand and improve performance,” Zoe explained. “We combine training with support, either embedded within organisations or through bespoke workshops. Our approach is scientific and evidence-based, making a real difference to individuals and teams.”
Expanding offerings to meet client needs
Adapt and Evolve is continuously developing new workshops and services to cater to their growing client base. Their mission is to help organisations thrive by improving both performance and well-being in increasingly demanding environments. Zoe emphasised their commitment to innovation and client satisfaction:
“We are constantly developing new workshops and products tailored to our clients’ needs and are committed to helping organisations adapt and evolve, supporting them to be the best in their field.”
This dedication to evolving their offerings ensures that Adapt and Evolve can remain at the forefront of performance consultancy, helping a broad spectrum of organisations, from high-stress sectors like law enforcement to corporate environments, achieve sustainable success.
Zoe Billings and Mark Pannone’s journey from policing to performance consulting demonstrates how real-world experience, combined with scientific methods, can make a profound impact on organisational well-being. Their partnership with the FBI is a testament to their growing influence, but it’s their ongoing commitment to their clients across various industries that sets them apart.
By focusing on evidence-based training in stress management, leadership, and resilience, Adapt and Evolve is helping organisations not only survive but thrive in high-pressure situations. Their work ensures that both individuals and teams are equipped to perform at their best, no matter the challenges they face.
