About
Experience, study and perspective.
About the Project
The Future Unknown Project is an evolving study examining how founders, families and organisations navigate succession, transition and legacy across jurisdictions. Its purpose is to understand the human, psychological and structural patterns that shape the most sensitive moments in the life of a founder-led business.
About Dean Steele
Future Unknown was founded by Dean Steele, a business architect and doctoral-level researcher working at the intersection of Succession, Business and Performance Psychology, and Strategic Transformation.
Dean's background spans law, psychology and business. For over fifteen years he has worked in wills, probate and succession, advising families and founders on continuity, stewardship and the design of business structures that can outlive their leadership.
Completed postgraduate study:
P.Grad.Dip Private Client Advice
MSc Business Psychology
MA Marketing and Digital Communication
Current postgraduate study and research:
Artificial Intelligence Driven Business Transformation (University of Oxford)
Change Leadership (University of Oxford & HEC Paris)
Ph.D. (ESCP Business School)
Professional qualifications:
Advanced Certificate in International Succession
Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes
Professional membership:
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, full member, 10+ years
Institute of Directors, full member, 10+ years
Dean's approach combines psychological insight, operational rigour and discretion; he works quietly alongside existing advisors to make succession plans livable in practice, not only coherent on paper.