What my clients say

Tom Drake
Senior Policy Analyst at Center for Global Development
October, 2024, Tom was Stu’s client

Stu is a thoughtful and supportive professional coach. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a sounding board to navigate career challenges or transitions. In particular Stu’s experience working at FCDO means he would be a good fit for those working in global development in the UK, since he understands the sector and its idiosyncrasies. Thanks again Stu!

Tim Spalding
Digital Communications Specialist
September, 2024, Tim was Stu’s client

I can’t recommend Stu enough. He kindly saw me in the middle of a work crisis, with short notice and helped enormously. After this, we had 6 sessions and managed to cover an enormous amount of ground. I was at a real crossroads in my career, and Stu really helped me navigate this confusing time with incredible kindness and clarity. He enabled me to make really quite big decisions with a lot of confidence.

We also had a lot of fun during our sessions and I always really looked forward to talking to him. His gentle, calm, caring nature is really quite special. I’m sure he could help anyone.

Bruce B.
Incident Management Lead – Security & Risk Consultant – International Disaster Responder – Travel Risk Specialist – Corporate Investigations
August, 2024, Bruce was Stu’s client

Stu was reccomended to me by a family member who separately knew us both well – and the the recommendation was spot on!

Working with Stu through my career options, my strengths, values and skill sets, was instrumental in clearing the fog that had descended around my work life. By engaging in 6 in-depth sessions, Stu helped me understand how important my own values were to me and how my work didn’t reflect those values. This alone would have been great, but through the sessions, Stu helped me develop a better understanding of my strengths and where those may be better suited.

Stu reccomended books to read which could help (they did, massively), gave me things to explore between sessions and gave me the confidence to start changing my pathway.

I can’t reccomend Stu highly enough. I’m now exploring other routes and it’s paying dividends already.

Saffienne Vincent-Neal
First Secretary, UK Delegation to the OSCE
July, 2024, Saffienne was Stu’s client

Stu has been a brilliant coach. We had a number of coaching sessions over the course of a few months and I hugely appreciated the dedication, passion and structure Stu brought to the sessions using practical materials to guide and anchor the sessions. When life changed, Stu was quick to pivot our original goals and work towards a different set. The impact of the sessions was significant. Stu helped me to probe long held beliefs and develop the confidence to challenge them. I would highly recommend him as a coach.

Berta Maso
Leadership ICF Accredited Coach I HR Strategist I Business Psychologist I Self-Leadership Advocate I ALLBRIGHT mentor
June 2024, Berta and Stu studied together

I wholeheartedly recommend Stu to anyone feeling stuck and in need of a sounding board to bounce ideas off of.

I had a one-off 30 mins coaching session and walked away with clarity and a plan of action.

His expertise and genuine care make Stu an outstanding coach who can truly drive positive change in a short space of time.

I am confident that others will benefit from his exceptional guidance just as I have.

Jessica Purdie
Joint Head, Nigeria Unit
June, 2024, Jessica was Stu’s client

I really can’t recommend working with Stu enough. Our sessions created the space I needed to better understand my ‘USP’, career motivations and how to build my leadership skills in a way that was authentic to me.

I really valued Stu’s friendly and intuitive approach which empowered me to lead the dialogue and engage with constructive challenge along the way. Because of this, I was able to reflect honestly on my career development and articulate more clearly the goals I wanted to achieve.

I would recommend Stu to anyone wanting to refresh or reevaluate their career goals, be it in the same industry or further afield. I’m incredibly grateful for Stu’s support which helped me navigate what felt like a cross-roads in my career. If you’re considering coaching this would be a good place to start!

Mireilli F.
Executive Headteacher
June 2024, Cat was Stu’s client

Executive Headteacher The Greenfield and Hurst Drive Federation. Passionate about serving underserved learners. Commited to reflective practice and teacher development. Studying for NPQEL at UCL IOE.Executive Headteacher The Greenfield and Hurst Drive Federation. Passionate about serving underserved learners. Commited to reflective practice and teacher development. Studying for NPQEL at UCL IOE.June 8, 2024, Mireilli was Stu’s clientJune 8, 2024, Mireilli was Stu’s client

I had an extremely wothwhile coaching session with Stu on healthy habits. The session allowed me time and space to reflect on the ways I work as a leader and consider what I wanted to build on and what needed to change. I came away energised, refocused and with a to do list I actually want to do!

Stu has a highly professional and reassuring coaching style which helped me to speak and reflect honestly and purposefully as he guided my reflection and prompted my thinking skilfully.

I would recommend Stu to any leaders seeking to review and improve their work as a leader. As a headteacher I would also specifically recommend working with Stu to other school leaders; we are extremely busy in school leadership but I found it highly valuable to ring fence this time to step back and ask myself if I could do the “busyness” a bit better.

Wai-Kit Ho (MBA, MA, DipMgmt)
1st Secretary, Trade and investment
June, 2024, Wai-Kit was Stu’s client

Working with Stu, on my career development and planning as well as on how to navigate interviews more successfully, was a transformative experience.

His approachable, friendly coaching style and professionalism enabled me to clarify my career goals clearly and boosted my confidence. Stu’s ability to help me to understand and articulate my strengths and values was exceptional, which in turn increased my self-awareness and career direction. In our sessions, I was able to draw up actionable strategies that were perfectly aligned with my long-term goals and start to take immediate action.

I highly recommend Stu to anyone looking to enhance their confidence, develop a solid career plan, or navigate interviews effectively. Stu’s genuine commitment to client success is outstanding.

Cat Wyard
Communications Manager at LTSB, a UK social mobility charity
May 2024, Cat was Stu’s client

Stu is uniquely patient and warm, while also being super organised and analytical – the perfect combination when you’re working on a coaching problem. He’s able to give you the space you need to come to your own conclusions, while giving really helpful feedback and reflections even if it’s something you said months ago! I’d really recommend Stu for anyone looking to reflect on where they are and hone the direction they’re hoping to take in their career.

Harriet Hoffler
Engagement Lead, International Development White Paper
March 2024, Harriet was Stu’s client

Stuart is an exceptional coach, who focuses on strengths, values, purpose and motivations, importantly understanding that these don’t exist in silos. Through his coaching approach, Stuart creates the space for you to approach the personal/professional in a holistic way, letting you “connect the dots”.

Stuart’s sessions have a clear, agreed [informal] structure, with goals set from the outset and key reflection areas for between sessions. During the session, Stuart naturally expands and contracts the space with a blend of empathetic observations, gently challenging questions, and the introduction of new approaches to guide self-reflection and self-awareness; a critical part of the coaching journey.

I’d recommend Stuart to anyone seeking a coach, particularly if you are considering where to go next in your professional career and / or through periods of professional change. Stuart has given me the space and the confidence to understand and articulate my own strengths and “super-powers”, how I want to use these, and what professional compromises (if any) are important enough to make.

In sum, Stuart’s coaching enables you to be confident and proud enough to own your shape and space. It has been thoroughly liberating and I can’t thank Stuart enough!

Michelle Parsons, ICF ACC
Helping automotive managers optimise their personal and professional performance via 121 & team programmes
March 2024, Michelle was Stu’s client

I was lucky enough today to have a 15min laser coaching session with Stu, and what an impact it made! Stu helped me unpick many of the thoughts and ideas that I have had in my head for days or more and asked questions that opened new doors within my mind. Some of the answers that I found were laying dormant in my mind and just need stimulating to rise to the surface. Stu is an incredible listener and paced the session really well. As a coach myself I know how hard a 15min session can be to manage and get results, but this just proves how powerful they can be!

Thank You Stu, I highly recommend you and your services.

Freddie Fleischmann-Allen
Policy Advisor at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
February 2024, Freddie was Stu’s client

Stuart is an excellent professional and executive coach. After I joined the FCDO from a previous career outside the Civil Service, we met regularly over a six-month period and our conversations were invaluable in helping me to navigate a career transition.

I came away from our sessions with a much clearer sense of my own priorities and goals, as well as a longer-term career ‘roadmap’ and a number of practical tools for improving self-accountability, prioritisation, and communication. Stuart’s coaching style was reflective and collaborative, but he was equally willing to bring a gently challenging perspective to our conversations which I found hugely beneficial. I also appreciated the good humour and enthusiasm that Stuart brought to each session.

I couldn’t recommend Stuart more for anyone navigating a career change or looking to progress to the next stage of their career.

Ben Bastable
Sport Investment Manager at UK Sport
September 2023, Ben was Stu’s client

I have known Stu since we studied our accountancy qualification years ago. We got on well then, and so I was intrigued to see on LinkedIn that Stu had become a personal and executive coach since. This was slightly serendipitous when I had been looking for coaching for the current and next stage of my career (and previous arrangements for this had fallen through).

When I reached out, Stu was prompt to respond to my LinkedIn message and to arrange an initial conversation around his approach to coaching and how this could match with what I was looking for.

I was convinced then, and after six sessions continue to find Stu has an excellent listening ear, as well as providing invaluable insight from what I share that helps to inform the next steps I need to take to achieve my professional and personal goals.

Stu is reliable, trustworthy, collaborative and I continue to be impressed by his professional approach and easy to get along with attitude.

Chetna Patel
British Diplomat
September 2023, Chetna was Stu’s client

Stuart has been incredibly insightful and supportive as I have been navigating my career over the last year. I tend to arrive at our sessions with lots of thoughts and ideas and Stuart effortlessly helps me work through those, ending the session with me with either a plan of action or a few options to explore. He always ensures I have ample space to speak, and brings his expertise into our sessions with tips, methodologies and questions to help guide our conversation, and very often prompts me to think about things through a different lens. I am so grateful for his help and support, and always look forward to our “work therapy” sessions. It is a huge privilege to find a coach who I can work effectively with, and I suspect many of his other clients feel the same way.

Bilal Malik
Desk Officer at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
September 2023, Bilal was Stu’s client

Having had the distinct opportunity to be coached by Stuart, I can attest to the profound value and enrichment brought into my life by our sessions. Whether you’re just starting out, at the pinnacle of your career, or anywhere in between, it doesn’t matter what position your career is at; Stuart’s guidance will be impactful for you. While I approached our initial meetings with a rough blueprint of my aspirations, it was through Stuart’s guidance that I achieved crystalline clarity on my goals, values, and the career trajectory I envisioned for myself.

Stuart’s masterful blend of thoughtful questions, deep and active listening, and actionable exercises unlocked avenues within me, allowing me to tap into my core motivations. This, in turn, sculpted a vision for my present and future, harmonising perfectly with my strengths and interests.

I particularly cherish Stuart’s tranquil demeanour, good humour, the depth of his insights, and his unwavering commitment to my journey. His coaching approach gracefully melds compassion with accountability, ensuring I remained on my path to growth. These enriching discussions have invigorated me, reigniting my confidence and fostering optimism for what lies ahead.

I wholeheartedly champion Stuart’s coaching. You may not always commence with a clear endpoint in mind, but if you’re committed to your self-improvement and evolution, Stuart is unequivocally the guide you seek. The beauty of this journey with him lies not just in the destination but also in the transformation en route. Whether you’re embarking on a quest to unearth your true passions, conquer self-doubt, or catalyse a significant shift, Stuart will equip you with the framework, motivation, and tools essential for success. His tailored approach is a beacon for those on a quest for greater purpose and evolution in their professional sphere.

Sam Seigler
Managing Director at Trinity Bridge
May 2023, Sam was Stu’s client

Stu came highly recommended to me by an industry leader who had worked with him in the past. I found him to be an excellent coach who has supported me as I have built my business. He listens carefully and provides thoughtful direction – allowing you to overcome issues / development needs (even the ones you weren’t aware existed!).

I would recommend him highly.

Adam Webster
Consultant Solicitor | Company Director
November 2022, Adam was Stu’s client

I engaged Stu to support aspects of my professional development and to help shape the strategy of my consultancy business.

I found Stu’s approach to executive coaching to be relevant, innovative and empathetic. He was able to interpret my ambitions and create a framework for my thoughts and plans to deliver short and long term progression to the business.

Stu listens well and is adept at providing appropriate tools and methods designed to challenge and expand thoughts and perspective.

His executive coaching style is approachable, modest and professional, creating a fair, open and confidential environment within which to discuss all planned and unplanned topics- taking time to research topical information or industry related insight.

It has been a pleasure to work with Stu and I would not hesitate to recommend his services.

Kim Hocking
Delivery Manager at Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
October 2022, Kim was Stu’s client

Stu was great, he guided our session naturally while letting me go with the direction I wanted. he kept me on track with meaningful, insightful questions. he let me talk, didn’t cut me off and put me at ease.
I like that he put the responsibility on me with questions that really got me thinking.
he was motivational through praise and encouragement and I left the session with some clear ideas of actions I wanted to take forward.
I would highly recommend Stu.

Chris Timmins
Gym Owner
July 2022, Chris was Stu’s client

I am a small business owner that is currently in a period of growth and opportunity.

With that brings new challenges for me personally, in terms of my role in the business (as a leader and as an entrepreneur).

Stu is helping me create the leadership habits that I need to ensure my team and business pushes into a new and important era, with absolute success.

The time I spend with Stu is worth its weight in gold, it’s incredible helpful. He provides structure and perspective. Often cutting through to the heart of what are really complex scenarios for me. I’m clouded by my passion and too far in the detail.

He’s impartial but also clever and instinctive in how he coaches me. He’s absolutely helped me go further faster – which is really important for the business as we ride cash flow challenges in a post covid market.

Now I’m in my second phase of coaching sessions with him and intend to continue throughout the remainder of 2022.

Jane Spivey
Chief of Staff | Startups | EMBA Candidate at IE Business School
January 2022, Jane was Stu’s client

I did a coaching programme with Stu at a pretty crazy time in my life. I’d just started studying an EMBA and was also due to start a new job and move to a new city.

Stu was amazing at guiding me through the goals we defined – as well as some additional topics that came up – and provided great support and resources. He is incredibly empathetic, very structured and I’d highly recommend him as a coach.

James Read
Enterprise | Platform & API | Partnerships | Leader | PRINCE2 Project Manager
September 2021, James was Stu’s client

Stu is an excellent coach and has been a huge support in what has been a pretty volatile time in my life with an upcoming move to Australia with my wife & kids. Part of that process was landing a new job and our work around leadership capability was pivotal in helping me to understand what I was looking for and what gaps there were that needed address and/or awareness. He introduced me to some great tools which I have been able to reference throughout the process, but apart from that I can truly say that everything has come from within….Stu just helped me to unearth it! He does this with such level-headedness and balance that you know whatever tangent you take off on he will always bring you back to what’s important and hold you accountable to key actions.

I would highly recommend Stu as a coach regardless of your profession or aspirations. Stu & I have very different working backgrounds but in many ways that brought a neutrality which made it much easier to focus on core skills without getting too stuck into the weeds.