Professor Reg Revans (pictured left ) pioneered action learning considered by some to be one of the most important ideas in the field of organisational development. Reg, a man of action himself, started his career as a physicist and an athlete.

The origins of action learning is Reg Revans, and his inspiration came from the plight of the Titanic, Revans puzzled why the great liner sank. His thoughts passed on to questions like, "what is the difference between cleverness and wisdom".

His training as a scientist provided him with the insight to "ask silly questions" when he lost his way in the pursuit of answers to his questions. In fact action learning has become more concerned with questioning that answering.

Revans was in good company in his work in science, he worked at the Cavendish Laboratories at Cambridge University and rubbed shoulders with JJ Thomson and Ernest Rutherford.

His first real work in action learning was for the National Coal Board, then the world's largest employer; he was asked to write an educational plan for its workers, from this in 1945, action learning the theory was born.

Revans went on to develop action learning in projects for the Nation Health Authority, the core expression L = P + Q was born. Action learning has gone on and on still being developed to this day despite Revans’ death in January 2003.