Growing up in Belfast in the 1970s and 80s, I saw first-hand what a strong leader can do for a young person. Youth organisations with exceptional mentors gave me direction, ambition and a passion for my city that never left me.
For 20 years, I took that same energy into voluntary youth work — helping the next generation find their feet. I chaired the Habitat for Humanity project in North Belfast, overseeing the construction of 32 homes, and led a cross-community team to Guatemala. My why has always been the same: making a positive difference, starting close to home.
That purpose has never changed. The arena has.
Thirty Years of Building Businesses
I've spent more than 30 years growing businesses across the UK and Ireland — from board-level strategy to hands-on startup support. My background spans some of the world's most demanding commercial environments, having trained and worked with Cadbury, Zurich, Ford Motor Company and Marks & Spencer.
That experience covers B2B and B2C across retail, motor, travel, financial services, media, FMCG and IT. I've delivered multi-million pound new business contracts, secured development funding for early-stage businesses and guided organisations from struggling to scaling.
I'm an approved mentor and consultant for Belfast City Council Economic Department, Belfast MET and Invest NI Regional Start Programme. I also hold a CMI Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring.
Why Accountability Coaching?
Most people know what they need to do. The gap is between knowing and doing.
Research shows that people who commit to a goal with someone else have a 65% chance of achieving it. Add regular accountability check-ins, and that rises to 95%. That's not motivation — that's structure, consistency and someone holding the standard with you.
I combine 30 years of business experience with a coaching approach grounded in behavioural science, habit formation and goal-setting frameworks. I work with entrepreneurs, business owners and individuals who are serious about follow-through — not just people who want to talk about their goals.
A Client Story
Michael is a retail optician who had been trapped in his own business. He was running every aspect of the day-to-day operation himself, and it was costing him time, energy and control of his own life. He knew something had to change — he just hadn't been able to make it happen.
Together, we built a soft exit strategy from the operational grind: a framework that gave Michael the tools to reclaim his time and take back control, while also laying the foundation for a full sale of the business when the time is right. For Michael, the goal was never just business — it was getting his life back.
He told me he'd achieved more in the first three months of working together than he had in the previous ten years. That's what accountability does.
Outside the Office
When I'm not helping clients follow through, you'll find me walking Riley — my Cockapoo — or hitting a small white ball around a golf course with questionable accuracy. I'm based in Belfast and work with clients across the UK and Ireland, in person and online.
