Executive Coaching for Senior Leaders & Founders
The higher you go, the fewer people you can speak to candidly, and the more consequential the decisions become.
A confidential thinking partner who supports you to test decisions, challenge assumptions and lead with greater clarity, confidence and accountability.
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
The business has grown, but parts of the organisation have not kept pace. What worked before no longer works quite as well. Leadership, systems, processes or decision-making may now be creating more friction than they solve.
The decisions are getting harder. More trade-offs. More consequences. Fewer obviously right answers. Sometimes you need somewhere to test your thinking before you act.
You are spending too much time reacting and not enough time leading. The urgent keeps winning. Strategy, priorities and the bigger questions get pushed back because there is always something else demanding attention.
Strategy is not becoming action quickly enough. Ownership is blurred, accountability is inconsistent or people are working hard without enough movement on the things that matter.
Something important is stalling. A decision you keep circling. A dynamic that's draining everything. A nagging sense that you're reacting to the world rather than driving through it.
The leadership team is not where it needs to be. Alignment is inconsistent, difficult conversations are being avoided or the capability around the table has not kept pace with what the organisation now needs.
Your own role is changing too. You may need to influence at a higher level, rebuild confidence, step into greater visibility or work out what the next stage of your leadership actually requires.
There are things you cannot easily discuss with the people around you. As a founder, CEO or senior leader, sometimes you need an experienced outside perspective with no internal agenda — somewhere to think out loud, test decisions and hear what others may not say.
If that sounds familiar, this is where I do my best work.
How We Can Work Together
Different situations need different levels of support. Whether you are leading yourself, a team or a growing business, the starting point is understanding what is really getting in the way and what needs to change.
Executive & 1-to-1 Coaching
For senior leaders and founders who need space to think, challenge their assumptions and make better decisions.
Confidential 1-to-1 coaching focused on the issues that matter now: leadership, judgement, confidence, influence, priorities and the decisions you cannot always discuss internally.
Leadership Teams & Organisational Performance
For leadership teams that need greater alignment, accountability and performance.
Team coaching, leadership workshops and diagnostic tools can help improve communication, decision-making, role clarity and how people work together. This includes CliftonStrengths® and Belbin®.
Business Growth & Strategic Partnership
For founders and SME leaders who need to step back from the day-to-day and think more strategically about what comes next.
Strategic coaching and advisory support to clarify direction, strengthen accountability, improve decision-making and turn growth ambitions into practical action.
NED & Board Advisory
For growing businesses that need experienced independent challenge, strategic perspective and stronger governance.
Board-level support for founders and leadership teams navigating growth, complexity or change, bringing an outside perspective when the decisions carry more weight.
Proven Impact
30+ years
Business & leadership experience
15+ years
Developing leaders and teams
5,500+
Leaders and professionals supported
UK & International
Clinets across multiple sectors and countries
“The sessions with Alec were focused, honest and actionable. I’m now creating space to work on the business rather than only in it.”
Niall, Director, Tourism Sector, UK
Prefer a Structured 12-Month Programme?
For leaders, leadership teams and founders who want sustained support, clear accountability and measurable progress, I offer three structured 12-month programmes.
Elevated Leadership Mastery For senior leaders strengthening their judgement, confidence, leadership impact and strategic effectiveness. Institute of Leadership approved.
Team Alignment & Performance For leadership teams that need stronger alignment, accountability, communication and shared direction.
Business Growth Programme For founders and SME leaders who want to step back from reactive management, strengthen the business and create more sustainable growth.
Each programme combines coaching, structured review and ongoing progress tracking through 51 North, your dedicated coaching platform, with up to 25 CPD hours available.
If a structured programme feels right, we can discuss which option best fits your situation during a confidential call.
Why Work With Me
Experience that comes from doing, not observing
I bring 30+ years of commercial experience, including senior leadership, building and running businesses, and working as a Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor.
When we talk about leadership pressure, difficult decisions or business complexity, I understand the realities behind the conversation, not just the theory.
A point of view, not just good questions
I listen carefully and I will ask questions that make you think. But I will also tell you what I genuinely see.
I am direct without being theatrical, supportive without becoming comfortable, and prepared to challenge assumptions, surface blind spots and hold you accountable for what you say matters.
I understand the wider business context
Leadership decisions do not happen in isolation. Strategy, people, economics, technology, risk and the wider world all affect what leaders are being asked to navigate.
I bring that broader perspective into the room, helping you connect what is happening around you with what it means for your decisions, your people and your organisation.
And a little about me
I’ve made mistakes, learned lessons the hard way and spent years reflecting on what good leadership actually requires. I don’t pretend leadership is tidy. I bring honesty, experience and a willingness to say what I genuinely see.
Professionally accredited across coaching, leadership and team development.
Beyond Leading
Leadership, teams, work, life and everything in between.
Beyond Leading gets beneath the surface of leadership, teams, organisations and the realities of work and life that rarely fit neatly into a framework. Through solo episodes and conversations with guests, I explore the decisions, pressures, behaviours and questions that shape how we lead, work and grow.
I write about leadership, strategy, teams, business growth and the issues shaping organisations today. Practical thinking grounded in what I see through my work with leaders, teams and businesses.
Selected articles are also published through The Strategic Leader on Substack, where you can follow or subscribe for new writing.
Insights
