Coach Class

What does it really take to turn around a struggling business? In this episode of Coach Class, I sat down in person with former Dreams CEO Mike Logue for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience and the moments that shape a career. Mike reflects on his journey from a 17-year-old at Marks & Spencer to leading some of the UK's biggest retailers, sharing the lessons he learned thr...

This week on Coach Class, I caught up with former Asda colleague and now renowned Joy Coach, Ali Mortimer . When Ali and I worked together at Asda and Walmart, she was a high-performing technology leader on the kind of career trajectory many people aspire to: Accenture-trained, leading large teams, shaping the future of ecommerce, and helping build the digital infrastructure that would later enabl...

What happens when you spend years climbing the career ladder, only to stop and realise you're no longer sure where it's leading? In this episode of Coach Class, I sat down with Maria Laffón , executive coach, former Commercial Director at Massimo Dutti, and fellow Barefoot Coaching graduate. Together we explored the unique pressures of retail leadership, the hidden signs of burnout, and...

What happens when you go from being a big fish in a small pond to a tiny minnow in one of the UK's biggest retailers? And what do you do when opportunity arrives disguised as discomfort? This week on Coach Class, I caught up with former Asda colleague Phil Wilkinson (or "Wilko" to those who shared the Asda House years). Phil's career journey has taken him from the trading floor...

In this episode of Coach Class , I sit down with Russell Craig, someone I’ve known for a long time and genuinely count as a friend. Russ has built his career right at the sharp end of reputation, from Manchester Airports Group to Asda and now AO.com. We talk about the journey behind that, from being a curious teenager inspired by House of Cards, hustling for experience in local newsrooms and radio...

In this episode of Coach Class , I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sally Worts , a garden designer, yoga teacher in training, and quietly influential content creator, whose journey is a powerful story of reinvention, resilience, and saying yes to life. Sally and I first met on a yoga retreat in Goa, where a group of strangers quickly became a close-knit tribe. But behind Sally’s calm, ground...

In this episode, I reconnect with a colleague from the start of my career Justin Skinner to explore a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for improving customer experience. From early days in PR to helping launch Direct Line Group ’s first digital presence, Justin has consistently stepped into roles where there was a problem to solve. His journey spans industries—from insurance...

In this episode of Coach Class ,  I sit down with Ted Bradshaw — cognitive behavioural therapist, coach, and educator — to explore the space where psychology meets coaching . Ted shares his journey from being a nervous, anxious teenager to working in NHS mental health services, and how his early curiosity about people — combined with a love of problem-solving — led him into CBT. Along the way, he...

In this episode I sat down with Karl Martin, a highly respected commercial leader whose career spans some of the UK’s biggest retailers, including Asda and Sainsbury's. Karl reflects on the moments that shaped his leadership — from his early days finding his way into retail to leading high-pressure commercial roles, and the lessons he carries from a career built on instinct, experience, and b...

In this episode I sat down with Rebecca Passmore, Group Chief Operating Officer at PureGym , one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing fitness businesses. Rebecca reflects on the formative moments that shaped her leadership philosophy — from growing up around a family business, to her early career at Aldi and Asda, and the lessons she carries into leading a fast-moving international organisation...

Why Is This Happening For Me? In this episode of Coach Class , I’m joined by former Asda colleague Alastair Islip , now European Managing Director at Nulo Pet Food . Alastair’s career journey is anything but linear. He began on the Woolworths graduate scheme, moved into buying almost by accident, and after a formative year in America and a spell working as a distributor into Asda, found himself jo...

Today’s conversation feels less like an interview and more like an arrival. Recorded on site in Nina Hunter’s riverside studio overlooking the weir at Hirst Wood — with the River Aire flowing just beyond the garden — this episode is an intimate exploration of creativity, feminine energy, and what it means to live in full alignment with your purpose. Nina is a painter, illustrator, and founder of S...

In this episode of Coach Class , I was joined by Ieva Eksts (PCC) — a career and leadership coach based in Kotka, Finland , who supports international leaders, teams and individuals navigating change across cultures, countries and identities. Ieva shares her journey into coaching, from supporting international students at Durham University Business School, to moving to Finland, building a coaching...

In this episode of Coach Class , I’m joined by Michele Martin , Senior Director of Global Brand and Integrated Marketing at Ticketmaster, to explore how careers are really shaped — not by straight lines or perfect plans, but by curiosity, community, mentorship, and a willingness to say yes before you feel ready. Michele grew up in Maine and stayed. She reflects on how growing up in a place that fe...

In this episode of Coach Class , I'm joined by Phil Myerscough — a Lancashire-born digital and e-commerce consultant, music producer, and founder of Bradford Digital — to explore how careers are really built: through curiosity, community, and the courage to ask for help. Phil traces his journey from growing up in Lancashire to moving to London at 18, where he studied music technology, worked...

In this episode, I caught up with my old Asda colleague Leanne Mallory , who’s now Head of Product Practice at the Co-op . It was brilliant to reconnect — not least because she still remembers some advice I gave her over a decade ago about turning off her devices… and still tries to follow it. We talked about those early Asda days when digital marketing, e-commerce, and retail media were just star...

In this episode of Coach Class I had the privilege of sitting down with Dave Birss — writer, educator, keynote speaker, and former creative director — to explore curiosity, creativity, and the sensible use of AI. Key Takeaways From childhood curiosity to creative leadership: Dave traces his fascination with innovation to visiting the John Logie Baird Museum as a child. That early spark led him thr...

In this episode of Coach Class , I welcome back Stephen Waddington – “Wadds” – one of the UK’s most influential thinkers in public relations. A former agency leader, CIPR president, and prolific blogger, Wadds is now immersed in a PhD at Leeds Business School, exploring the age-old question: how can PR prove its value and earn recognition as a true management function? Together, we unpack the pers...

In this episode of Coach Class I caught up with Jane Kenyon MBE — a serial entrepreneur, intuitive coach, and unapologetic champion for women and girls. Jane shares her extraordinary personal journey: from a traumatic upbringing and being abandoned at 16, to thriving in corporate life, reinventing herself as an entrepreneur, and ultimately founding Girls Out Loud – a social enterprise that empower...

In this episode of Coach Class , I was joined by Amanda Downs — commercial leader turned coach, facilitator, and soon-to-be author of Stepping Up to Sales Leader . Using the Japanese concept of Ikigai — your reason for being — as a guiding theme, Amanda reflects on what lights her up, how she helps others grow, and why leading a commercial team is a bit like tending a garden. Expect rich conversat...

🎧 In this episode of Coach Class , I’m joined by someone I’ve admired for years — Sarah Fothergill , now Vice President at HH Global, the world’s fastest-growing marketing execution company. Sarah and I reflect on our shared time at Asda — a place that was far more than just a job. It was a boot camp for leadership, values, resilience, and finding your voice. We explore the people who influenced...

In this episode of Coach Class , I caught up with executive coach and chartered engineer Sam Williams , whose personal journey through late-diagnosed ADHD and perimenopause has redefined how she leads, coaches, and lives. What started as a 30-second BBC appearance turned into a profound moment of reflection for Sam—one that prompted her to confront long-held beliefs like “I’m lazy” or “I’m in decl...

In this reflective and energising episode, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with my former Asda colleague Melissa Hill , now on a well-earned career break after 16 years at Walmart. Together, we explore what it really means to pause, reset, and be intentional about the next chapter. 🔑 Key themes: The reality of high-pressure comms roles in global corporations Embracing horizontal leadership and...

In this episode of Coach Class Kate Levy shares her remarkable career journey from child actress to award-winning executive producer and creative leader. With years of experience spanning TV, branded content, and B2B production, Kate has shaped powerful stories across sectors—and guided teams through high-stakes creative projects. Highlights: Early Start in Acting: Kate began her career in front o...

In this episode of Coach Class , I’m joined by Ray McCaughan , a seasoned nurse and founder of Horizon Health Clinics in Skipton. With over 25 years’ experience in acute care, chronic care, and forensic mental health, Ray shares how a ride-along with his paramedic uncle in the 1980s led him from HM Treasury to a lifelong commitment to healthcare. We explore: Why root causes matter more than surfac...