I am passionate about helping individuals and organisations develop their leadership and teamworking skills.
My strengths come from 33 years of military leadership, over 15 as a coach and 10 as a mentor. I have extensive experience of coaching and mentoring senior leaders in the military, in civilian business and in the NHS. Some of the most fulfilling sessions have been working with senior NHS leaders as they navigate the complexities of leading during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another highlight was being the senior coach and mentor to the British Military’s Parachute Brigade and Royal Marine Commandos. Additionally, I have broad experience of operational planning, complex project management, and training design and delivery. I am an avid sportsman and outdoor enthusiast. I have used many associated skills and settings while leading and developing individuals and teams to become more confident, robust and capable.
I encourage individuals, through improved self-awareness, to flourish and prosper in their personal and professional development.
As a mentor and coach, I provide a stimulating and non-judgmental environment for individuals to express their aspirations and concerns. I encourage individuals, through improved self-awareness, to flourish and prosper in their personal and professional development.
I am an active listener and provide balanced opinion and alternative thoughts. With highly-tuned emotional intelligence, I am tactful and diplomatic but will be candid, principled and provide a conscientious sounding board.
I hold a level 7 certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Leadership and Management. Additionally, I have attained the Association of Project Managers’ Project Management Qualification, and previously I passed the MOD’s Advanced Command and Staff Course, focusing on strategic planning and operational leadership. For my master’s degree I analysed the attributes and skills the British Military requires in its most senior operational leaders.
Key skills and experience
At every rank I had the privilege of leading soldiers on operations
I spent three decades proudly serving as an Infantry Officer in the British Army. At every rank I had the privilege of leading soldiers on operations throughout the world, and in barracks in the UK where the focus was nearly always training and development. My key staff jobs have centred on strategic analysis, operational planning and managing multi-million pound projects.
As chief coach and mentor at one of the Army’s three operational training teams, for four years I was responsible for coaching and mentoring senior leaders, and their staff, from the Army and Royal Marine’s highest readiness operational battalions and brigades. Prior to that, I commanded the MOD’s largest residential training establishment, intimately involved with the personal and professional development of new soldiers.
I know well the difficulty of maintaining a proportional work-life balance
My most rewarding leadership role is as husband and father in a large and active family. I know well the difficulty of maintaining a proportional work-life balance and the tension that can be caused between work and family priorities, especially when both parents are working professionals. Always learning in this regard, I have plenty of experiences to share.
My coaching career began as a rugby coach, peaking as coach of the UK’s Defence Academy squad
My coaching journey began as a rugby coach following many years of playing. I have coached juniors and seniors, and this experience peaked as coach of the UK’s Defence Academy squad. I am also a qualified referee. I have spent a lot of my career conducting adventurous training, holding qualifications in mountain leadership, climbing, abseiling and canoeing. I have always loved skiing and dinghy sailing is an interest I took up in my 30s. With middle age, I have gone back to a teenage passion: cycling. Now spending more time than is reasonable on a bicycle, I hold qualifications as a Ride Leader and professional cycle mechanic. Why not join me on a walk or a ride while we discuss how to develop your leadership?
Get in touch
Why not join me on a walk or a ride while we discuss how to develop your leadership?