Alan Aldridge

Alan Aldridge is Managing Director and Principal Coach and Mentor for Catalyst. He leads a team of specialist and carefully selected Coaching and Mentoring Associates.

Early Career

During his early career he worked in finance and commercial roles in the Technology, Oil and Gas and Financial Services sectors.  

Management Consulting and Business Advisory

10 years’ experience at PwC where he directed, managed or delivered over 50 major consulting projects including business appraisal, strategy development, process improvement, systems design and implementation, business performance management and Management information, change management and cost reduction. He was also Global Account Manager for Philips Electronics, one of PwC’s largest clients and Bid Manager for the largest project the firm had tendered for, the merger of BAe and Marconi.

Leading Businesses

Chief Operations Officer and Commercial Director at Self Trade – Start-up of an on-line stock broker and financial product supplier. It was 42nd to enter the UK market and grew organically to be number 3 within 18 months. Winner of multiple awards, Alan exited on the purchase of the business by HypoVereinsbank Banking Group. It has since been re-purchased by Societe Generale.

Managing Director at Active Health Partners – Absence management and occupational health sector. Instrumental and lead role in the development of the strategy and launch of the company’s ‘new to world’ service offering.  His particular areas of focus were the sales activities and managing key client relationships.

Founder and Managing Director at Firstcare – Founded an absence management and HR support business. The company is now the largest Absence Management service provider in the UK, with a range of blue chip clients including NHS Trusts, UK Councils, Serco, BAe Systems, Philips, The Heathrow Express and Coca-cola.

Managing Director at Riomay Renewable Energy – recruited by business funders to lead this solar thermal and PV system designer and installer. During his 7 years at Riomay the solar industry was sent into turmoil due to drastic changes in the Feed-in Tariffs. Alan became actively involved with the Solar industry with a desire to help stabilise the market and spent 5 years on the board of the Solar Trade Association (STA) and two years as Chairman. Alan was responsible for meeting Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, every six months to provide feedback on the industry.

Alan has also held various non-executive positions including Chairman and non-executive director.

Professional Qualifications

He qualified as an accountant (ACCA) in 1991 and was made a fellow (FCCA) in 1995.

He qualified in marketing (DipM) in 1992 and became a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM) in 1995

Media Coverage

During his career he has received notable media coverage – TV news (including BBC and Sky News), extensively in the national press (including Times, Telegraph, Evening Standard, Daily Mail) and Radio (including BBC, Radio 5 live and even an appearance on Radio 4’s Today program).