Testimonials

“Moving from Big Law to Big 4 was bit of a culture shock for me. Mike’s calm and patient coaching enabled me to adjust to my new environment and make a success of it more quickly than I would have done otherwise. Mike is a brilliant listener, he has fantastic experience of professional services and is very practical.

He did not shy away from challenging me and my ideas and helped me to order my thoughts, set objectives and formulate strategy.

My sessions with Mike were hugely beneficial to me. I would recommend him without hesitation.”

Alan Cunningham

Partner

“I was referred to Mike two years ago, in preparation for a promotion to a new team at EY. In fact my journey with Mike has become broader and longer in duration than we planned. My promotion panel coincided with a second severe bout of Covid which triggered an autoimmune condition that resulted in considerable time off work.

Mike has a style that is naturally empathetic but equally firm and challenging which I welcome. He builds trust very quickly and it becomes very easy to open up to Mike in a way that I have not experienced previously with a coach.

Working with Mike has been sometimes hard but always helpful.”

Lucy Workman

Chief Risk Officer – EY – UK&I, Channel 2

“I was looking for a process that would facilitate my own growth and benefit the organisation.

Over the past four years Mike has proven to be the ideal coach. Mike offers a unique blend of formal business skills and has a deep sense of humanity. He has a knack of asking the right question at the right time and reframing complex issues.”

Drew Pryde

Chairman – The Scottish Institute for Business Leaders

“Mike has been coaching me for about 3 months. I’ve had coaches in the past and never really ‘clicked’ with them, but I have really valued working with Mike.

He’s very warm and engaging and challenges me in a way that really makes me think without feeling uncomfortable. I always leave with a long list of thoughtful points and actions!

Mike has really helped me think through my stakeholder management and work on my mindset. We’ve worked through a few ‘dark periods’ where he’s really helped me see the best way forward. I have learned a lot about myself!

It goes without saying that I would strongly recommend Mike.”

Rosie Higgins

Partner

Mike started coaching me shortly after I joined EY as a Direct Admit Partner from a strategy boutique. He has given me a huge amount of guidance and support in adapting to the bigger, more complex world of EY, helping ensure a smooth and successful landing in a new place. His straightforward and open style has given me space to step back, and verbalise both my worries and opportunities and ensure that these are both managed effectively. His care and attention have helped me identify several key blind spots, and make the most of my time so far with the firm. I would recommend him to anyone looking for guidance and advice, whether in a new role, or searching for a new way of looking at the world.

Duncan Brewer

Partner

Mike has been my professional coach for the last two years as I progressed to Partner and has had a hugely positive impact on my leadership journey. Mike’s style is empathetic and accommodating resulting in him bringing a sense of calm and confidence to each of our interactions which I found to be disarming and supportive at the same time. I had development feedback I wanted to address but I was unsure and nervous how to even take the first step. Mike helped me explore different approaches to my feedback through a variety of personal development strategies – and challenged me to drill down into the words I was using and the emotion (perceived or otherwise) behind them. He also helped me reflect on how I articulated my responses to challenging questions – facilitating not just a change in behaviour but a shift in mindset. He is very confident with ‘silence’ – so embrace it – and learn how to make it one of your own tools for business success.

Katrina Sahlberg

Partner