The Life and Work of
Dennis Raymond Perrin
A Chronological Timeline
Introduction
Dennis Raymond Perrin is an accredited Edward de Bono trainer and consultant, with decades of experience helping individuals and organisations think more creatively, clearly, and collaboratively. Guided by the philosophy that structured thinking can transform both professional and personal life, Dennis has spent his career demonstrating how de Bono's tools can turn challenges into opportunities. Drawing on his international experience and his own life journey, he teaches thinking skills not just as theory, but as practical methods that empower people to act decisively, solve complex problems, and manage emotions intelligently.
Early Life and Education
Dennis Perrin's formative years were spent in Kent and London, England, where he developed an early curiosity for learning, problem-solving, and understanding human behavior. These foundations would later support his work in teaching structured thinking and creativity to professionals across multiple industries.
Professional Development and Accreditation (1999-2002)
Dennis began his formal training in the Edward de Bono thinking tools in 1999 with Edward de Bono's brother, Peter. Between 1999 and 2002, he became fully accredited across a broad range of de Bono methodologies, including the Six Thinking Hats, Direct Attention Thinking Tools (DATT), and Lateral
Thinking. This period also included certification from the Holst Group in Henley, Oxfordshire, and later Lateral Thinking accreditation via Indigo in London.
Training and Consultancy Work (2000s-2010s)
Using both his own name and the consultancy brand Thinking Training, Dennis built a successful career delivering workshops and executive coaching for organisations in the UK and abroad. His clients have included senior managers and executives in diverse sectors, such as Oxford Brookes University, DuPont in Shanghai, Amro Bank in London, and Moller-Maersk in Tangier. He also contributed to education by teaching senior lecturers at Norwich City College and conducting de Bono workshops for registered charities like WSPA in London.
Dennis is known not only for his expertise in the thinking tools but also for his personal approach - sharing insights and experiences that make structured thinking relevant and practical for everyday challenges. For example, while training managers at Amro Bank, he openly discussed coping with the recent loss of his father and demonstrated how the Red Hat tool allowed him to manage and communicate emotional responses effectively.
Resilience and Application of Thinking Tools in Personal Life (2020s)
Throughout his life, Dennis has faced profound personal losses, including the passing of his wife and youngest son in the early 2020s. During these periods, he has consistently drawn on the de Bono thinking tools to navigate grief, maintain perspective, and continue supporting others professionally. These experiences reinforce his belief that structured thinking is not merely a professional skill but a life skill that can help individuals rise above emotional challenges with clarity and strength.
Ongoing Commitment to Teaching and Mentoring
Today, Dennis continues to deliver consultancy, training, and workshops in the UK and internationally. His approach combines technical mastery of the de Bono tools with warmth, empathy, and real-world examples from both corporate and personal life. He remains committed to empowering leaders, teams, and individuals to think more clearly, creatively, and effectively.
Closing Reflection
Dennis Perrin's journey demonstrates that thinking is not just a cognitive exercise - it is a way of navigating life itself. By combining professional expertise with lived experience, he shows that structured thinking can help people solve problems, make decisions, and manage emotions with intelligence and confidence. His work continues to inspire others to embrace creativity, clarity, and courage in every aspect of their lives.
People, who might be described as NOPO people and enjoy the exclusive use of argument and criticism, won't like the use of new thinking. New thinking includes PO. PO, provocative operation, is a serious revolutionary concept that opens the mind to fresh thinking and new ideas! PO is for explorers. Welcome to PO Thinking!
From Dr Edward de Bono's message to: Dennis R Perrin's De Bono Training!
- Creativity Evolution: The site discusses the shift from mysterious creativity, then, by the use of some basic training in a few simple tools, moves to direct and practical idea implementation.
- Innovation, the Direct Approach: We emphasise moving from complex concepts to simple, actionable solutions. This leads to the generation of our own ideas.
- Dennis R Perrin: He is presented here as an advocate and fun trainer for this new management ideology, promoting lateral thinking and serious creativity as straightforward, co-operative, and effective strategies for designing new approaches and developing innovation.
The essence of this site's message is about embracing a deliberate, cooperative approach to innovation/creativity and problem-solving, moving away from the mystical and complex methods of the past. This is done by understanding and using practical tools and techniques. The tools are simple and easy to use, yet powerful, and take a lot of practice in the beginning.
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