“I was very young to be appointed to the ExCo of a PLC but found my sessions with Catalyst hugely valuable in supporting my transition.  They challenge me, forcing me to further develop my thinking, and complemented that with great practical insight from their experience”.

“Our coaching journey started with feedback from our Chairwoman and our CEO, and along with my own views, we identified a small number of key areas to explore together.  Catalyst facilitated this in a practical way often working with my day-to-day activities and challenges.  The more we explored the more insight I received.  I have really appreciated this confidential, challenging and insightful sounding board to help me think more deeply about not only my day-to-day opportunities and challenges, but also my business and personal longer term aspirations.“ 

PLC Board Director

“Alan’s insight was invaluable from the outset… I would happily recommend Alan to anyone wishing to step up their game!”

“He helped me quickly change how I am perceived by colleague’s, injected real clarity and conciseness in my style of communication. He also helped me address the biggest challenges facing my team – product visioning and the prioritisation and management of complex technology R&D projects. The latter being so effective that similar processes are already adopted elsewhere in my organisation. Alan is very easy to work with and his relaxed but professional style is both supportive and challenging. I very quickly became comfortable with sharing both personal and business challenges with him, enabling me to be more confident in my work abilities“.

Research & Integration Manager, International High Tech Engineering Company

“Catalyst led us through a process which engaged my team and aligned their thinking”

“I have a start-up marketplace in the huge tutoring market.  We always have far more opportunities that we can realistically deliver.  Catalyst facilitated a planning workshop for my team.  They focused on identifying and exploring the critical success factors for both our clients and our tutors, which highlighted some very interesting new ideas and perspectives.  The workshop allowed us to translate ideas into improvement actions, and prioritise these actions by their relative impact and effort required.  But the acid test was that afterwards we all felt clear about the plan and excited to deliver it.”

Andrew Ground, CEO and co-Founder

“We uncovered extremely interesting insights and generated new perspectives and ideas – So refreshing!”

“It has been invaluable having an executive level confidant that I trust and can speak to openly. I have worked closely with Alan to explore many areas including how I get the best out of my senior team by aligning their roles with their personal strengths, as well as the market needs. This is driving fantastic results! We also worked on building stronger relationships with my peers and other board members with notable success. Alan helped me prepare for and facilitated for me an off-site ‘Strategy Day’ workshop with my Directors. Using Alan as the facilitator allowed me to contribute to the session and really listen to and understand the views of my team”.

Managing Director, Private Banking

“I have really enjoyed having a seasoned businessman to share and explore my challenges and find structured solutions”

“Prior to commencing this arrangement I had a successful business but needed guidance and support to take it to the next level. Alan has helped me to identify and prioritise opportunities and services which will be the basis of taking the business to the next level whilst clarifying focus on both personal and professional objectives”.

Robert McCartney, Managing Director, Specialist Healthcare Consultancy

“He simplified the complex brilliantly and was very easy to work with!  We would have no hesitation in recommending him”

“We design and make jewellery, which we sell in our own two stores, online and to 150 jewellery retailers and department stores around the country. We both have a degree in jewellery design. Dan is also a qualified gemologist and diamond expert. Our interest and passion is in making great jewellery to be worn and treasured so we are not great business people.

Alan helped us dissect and understand the dynamics of our complex and growing business through our financial analysis and reporting.  This was absolutely critical for us to ensure we focused on the right areas and made the right investment decisions across our retail stores, concessions, mail-order and online businesses”.

Dan Dower & Diane Hall, Owners, Dower & Hall, Jewellery Design, Manufacture, Wholesale and Retail

“He is a very knowledgeable guy and very easy to work with!”

“Alan’s style is great for helping me think through some of the more important and complex day-to-day and people challenges in running my business. We have worked on how to get the best from my senior people and he demonstrated considerable expertise looking at the potential for entering a new market”.

Managing Director, National Medical Product Provider

“Alan is a very sharp strategist… I now have a business that is better, more profitable and has a sustainable future”

“My original business model was beginning to stifle my ongoing growth and Alan helped me to address this by developing new services that built naturally on the businesses’ core competencies”.

James Jones, Owner & Managing Director, Carisbrook Ltd, Property Business

“Would I recommend Alan to somebody looking for a coach or mentor? Without hesitation!”

“Alan provided fresh new perspectives on my business. Working together we repositioned the business in the market, and developed and clarified our core services and business focus. Alan provides both encouragement and firm challenge both in a relaxed and supportive manner”.

Jason Rainbird, Director, Flowbird Ltd, Customer Growth Consultancy

 “Our coaching sessions were at once inspiring and insightful”

“Alan provided encouragement and guidance at a moment it was sorely needed. His breadth of experience and techniques to encourage creative thinking and problem solving, along with his professional but warm approach, helped me enormously. I would highly recommend him as a coach and mentor.”

Helen Simpson, Freelance Technical Writer and Editor