ABOUT JOHN
Leadership experience and specialist expertise that you can call upon.
For thirty years, I’ve led and supported leaders in high performance environments where decisions carry consequences, expectations are relentless and people depend on your judgement.
My perspective was forged in the Royal Navy, leading elite teams, working alongside the Special Forces, stepping up to warship captaincy and commanding the UK’s largest Bomb Disposal and Diving Squadron.
Those experiences taught me to understand what people need from their leader, how my behaviour affects their performance and why having a trusted confidant matters when you’re expected to have the answers.
Today, I combine that senior leadership experience with specialist coaching expertise, offering confidential counsel and considered challenge, and the tools, techniques and mindset to strengthen your leadership, develop your people and sustain your own performance.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
What command taught me about leadership.
For three years, I commanded the UK’s largest Bomb Disposal and Diving Squadron, that included support of the UK’s largest peacetime security operation - the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Success depended on specialist expertise, sound judgement and mutual trust, underpinned by clear direction and shared purpose.
That experience taught me that leadership means creating the conditions for exceptional individual ability to forge collective performance. People needed the confidence to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and take ownership, alongside clear standards and accountability.
Sustaining those conditions requires you to keep developing too: knowing when to direct and when to listen, addressing difficult issues early and combining support with honest feedback. It also means developing the people whose judgement and initiative will shape the team’s culture and future success.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
What command taught me about leadership.
For three years I commanded the UK’s largest Bomb Disposal and Diving Squadron, that included support of the UK’s largest peacetime security operation - the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Success depended on specialist expertise, sound judgement and mutual trust, underpinned by clear direction and shared purpose.
That experience taught me that leadership means creating the conditions for exceptional individual ability to forge collective performance. People needed the confidence to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and take ownership, alongside clear standards and accountability.
Sustaining those conditions requires you to keep developing too: knowing when to direct and when to listen, addressing difficult issues early and combining support with honest feedback. It also means developing the people whose judgement and initiative will shape the team’s culture and future success.
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
A broader perspective on people and performance.
After graduating from Cardiff University and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, I served in leadership, operational and strategic roles in the UK and overseas. My work spanned specialist operations, military command, professional training and international research and development.
Working across disciplines, cultures and organisations taught me to listen carefully, question assumptions and understand how different people approach the same challenge. It deepened my understanding of how relationships, expectations and culture influence performance.
Today, that breadth helps me understand your context and offer an independent perspective that respects your expertise while extending your thinking.
RECOGNITION
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Commanding Officer’s Commendation
Commended for “outstanding personal contribution” to international experimental research, decompression table development and work supporting the Canadian Special Forces.
Royal Canadian Navy / CFEME Toronto.
MILITARY OPERATIONS
Standing Joint Commander UK’s 4* Commendation
Commended for “outstanding leadership and contribution” in planning and delivering the maritime bomb disposal response supporting the wider London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games security operation.
British Armed Forces - Operation OLYMPICS
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
A broader perspective on
people and performance.
After graduating from Cardiff University and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, I served in leadership, operational and strategic roles in the UK and overseas.
My work has spanned specialist operations, military command, professional training and international research and development, across different disciplines, cultures and organisations.
That breadth taught me to listen carefully, question assumptions and understand how people approach the same challenge differently. It also deepened my appreciation of how relationships, expectations and organisational culture influence performance.
Today, that perspective helps me understand the environment you’re leading in, explore unfamiliar challenges alongside you and offer support that respects your expertise while extending your thinking.
RECOGNITION
MILITARY OPERATIONS
Standing Joint Commander UK’s 4* Commendation
Commended for “outstanding leadership and contribution” in planning and delivering the maritime bomb disposal response supporting the wider London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games security operation.
British Armed Forces - Operation OLYMPICS
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
Commanding Officer’s Commendation
Commended for “outstanding personal contribution” to international experimental research, decompression table development and work supporting the Canadian Special Forces.
Royal Canadian Navy / CFEME Toronto.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Leadership experience.
Specialist coaching expertise.
Support that’s shaped around you.
I combine the experience of carrying consequential responsibility with the professional expertise to help others fulfil theirs.
I understand the demands of leading people under pressure, making difficult decisions and remaining accountable for the outcome, and how to help you develop the capability to do so.
As a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership with ILM Level 7 (master’s level ) certification in Executive and Leadership Coaching, as well as Level 7 Leadership and Management, I combine coaching, mentoring and considered counsel according to your circumstances.
Our work may involve challenging assumptions, exploring a difficult decision or developing a practical approach you can test with your team—always with attention to your goals and the realities of your role.
The aim is lasting value: stronger judgement, greater leadership capability and a culture in which your people can excel, while protecting your own capacity to sustain peak performance.
FROM EXPERIENCE
TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Leadership experience.
Specialist coaching expertise.
Support that’s shaped around you.
I combine the experience of carrying consequential responsibility with the professional expertise to help others fulfil theirs.
I understand the demands of leading people under pressure, making difficult decisions and remaining accountable for the outcome, and how to help you develop the capability to do so.
As a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership with ILM Level 7 (master’s level ) certification in Executive and Leadership Coaching, as well as Level 7 Leadership and Management, I combine coaching, mentoring and considered counsel according to your circumstances.
Our work may involve challenging assumptions, exploring a difficult decision or developing a practical approach you can test with your team—always with attention to your goals and the realities of your role.
The aim is lasting value: stronger judgement, greater leadership capability and a culture in which your people can excel, while protecting your own capacity to sustain peak performance.
HOW I WORK
Calm perspective. Considered challenge. Trusted Support.
We begin with understanding you: your responsibilities, ambitions and the challenges occupying your attention. Together, we establish what you want to achieve and where support will make the greatest difference.
Our conversations offer space to speak openly, discuss difficult issues and acknowledge uncertainty.
I listen carefully, ask direct questions and offer an independent view—with the care to understand your position and the honesty to challenge it.
We translate that thinking into practical steps, reflect on what happened, what you learned and what needs to change. And as your priorities evolve, our work adapts, keeping your immediate needs and longer-term development in view.
You retain ownership of your decisions, with a trusted partner to help you think them through and act with confidence.
HOW I WORK
Calm perspective.
Confidential space.
Professional Support.
We begin with understanding you: your responsibilities, ambitions and the challenges occupying your attention. Together, we establish what you want to achieve and where support will make the greatest difference.
Our conversations offer space to speak openly, discuss difficult issues and acknowledge uncertainty.
I listen carefully, ask direct questions and offer an independent view—with the care to understand your position and the honesty to challenge it.
We translate that thinking into practical steps, reflect on what happened, what you learned and what needs to change. And as your priorities evolve, our work adapts, keeping your immediate needs and longer-term development in view.
You retain ownership of your decisions, with a trusted partner to help you think them through and act with confidence.
CLIENT PERSPECTIVE
“John quickly grasped the challenges we faced, objectively challenged our perceptions and reframed our thinking, helping us to restart operations early on in the pandemic. I can highly recommend John whose real world expertise delivers sustainable results."
Ian Gardiner | Head of Quality, MHI Vestas
GET IN TOUCH
It starts with a conversation.
We’ll begin with a confidential conversation about your circumstances, priorities and what you’re looking for, then consider whether working together feels right.