Our Coaches

Matt Avison

My passion is to help clients unleash their potential through a supportive, empathetic and challenging journey of self-awareness leading to self-improvement. The coaching journey is complex, often difficult and sometimes emotional, but it results in a greater depth of insight into the issues we face and how our habitual responses may not always be the best solution. Generating awareness of our habits and exploring the alternative choices available allows individuals to become better, more inspiring and more supportive leaders, develops improved effectiveness and personal resilience, and uncovers options to create a better work life balance whilst improving individual productivity.

I create a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment to allow you to fully explore what changes you may need to make to ensure you meet your goals, whether that be in a professional or personal context, and to create the necessary development plans to ensure these changes have the best impact.

I am an executive coach, manager, qualified instructor and trainer. I spent 26 years as an Officer in the Royal Navy where I led large teams, afterwards I led successful multi-function sales teams for 14 years . My career experience has allowed me to blend the leadership and management lessons and styles learned during military service with those more commonly found in the civil sector to gain a rounded view of the multiple approaches taken. I started on my qualified coaching journey 9 years ago after I had received some life changing coaching - my purpose now is to help others achieve similar professional and personal benefits for themselves.

I am qualified as a Senior Practitioner with the European Mentoring & Coaching Council. My clients come from across all sectors from students to CEOs, teachers, clergy, soldiers, professional sports people, nurses, consultant doctors, and hugely successful entrepreneurs – they were all looking to achieving the performance, life balance and personal satisfaction that they knew was within their capability but somehow seemed to allude them. I passionately believe that coaching is the way to release this potential – the results speak for themselves.

Dee Wilkinson

Dee is one of the most respected and sought after executive coaches both within and outside the NHS. She has gained this reputation based on her professionalism, credibility, integrity and ability to connect with her clients. She has over 20 years of coaching experience. Whilst her focus has been on coaching GP’s, she also coaches senior leaders, consultants, executive directors, clinical directors, managers and team leaders.

Dee takes a whole systems perspective, inclusive of the person and wider system they operate in. Linked with a genuine passion and coaching presence she gets results very quickly. If you are looking for genuine challenge and change in your thinking and behaviours, then Dee can help.

Dee is an executive coach, coach supervisor, manager, trainer and facilitator with 22 years’ experience of leading innovative teams, transforming working methods, building personal skills, and inspiring people. The focus of her activity is to align the vision and energy of individuals with the needs of the organisation - and so to transform both. Able to demonstrate considerable success across Private & Public sector environments. A qualified and dedicated Coach with matured communication and interpersonal skills.

Dee is often called upon to support top leadership programmes. Working at a senior level with CEOs, Directors, Assistant Directors and Managers in one to one coaching relationships. She also trains coaches to ILM standards and internal coaches for organisations. Dee has a special interest in ‘Managing Energy’ and is the founder of a Coaching Community for newly qualified coaches https://southwestcoaching.podia.com

Relevant Publications:

  • “Creating Your Future After a Toxic Relationship”, published by Routledge
  • Chapter 2 “Practical Leadership in Nursing & Healthcare” S. Henwood. 2014. CRC Press
  • Goal Setting Made Easy – Ebook- Amazon

Sarah Taylor

I am a coach, cook, swimmer, walker & dog-lover.

Purpose

My purpose is to grow myself & others with compassion and challenge.

Key Skills

Creating safe, challenging spaces. Using a wide range of tools & techniques. Coaching the whole person. Encouraging micro-change.

Coaching for more than a decade with >700 hours of coaching individuals, teams and groups.

I have spent much of my time coaching senior leaders and their teams. This work has involved traditional 121 coaching as well as dynamic coaching conducted in a more operational environment for business leadership and project leaders and their teams.

My coaching involves specialising in a number of communities’ especially young leaders, women and veterans.

Whilst my coaching practice has been focused in a large, complex multinational it has also included working with people in SMEs as well as education, healthcare and the voluntary sector.

I like to in partnership with my clients and use a mix of traditional and creative methods including outdoor coaching.

Coaching Accreditations

I work within the EMCC code of ethics for coaches and mentors. I receive regular coaching supervision from Catalyst14 and complete a wide range of continuing professional development.

Emcc Senior Coaching Practitioner

European Mentoring & Coaching Council

Post Graduate Diploma In Coaching & Development

University of Portsmouth.

Hogan Pyschometric

Advanced Interpretation level

Testimonial 1

Taking the time out to find answers to my own questions & issues on both a personal & professional level has been truly life changing. My coach has been instrumental in helping me untangle a web of complicated issues that are now not only well on their way to being resolved but I also have plans in place to stop them happening again.

by M

Testimonial 2

Our coach has been instrumental in transforming our team’s dynamics. From the outset, he brought a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge and techniques that guided us towards achieving better collaboration. One of the standout aspects of the approach is the ability to address difficult situations head-on. With guidance, we were able to navigate challenging relationships and transform them into productive partnerships. We were provided with the practical techniques that not only addressed our immediate concerns, but also fostered a long-term positive environment.

by G

Testimonial 3

Matt has been coaching me for the past two years during which time, with his support, I have grown in many areas both professionally and personally. I have been challenged to reassess my own assumptions and boundaries, and have transitioned to a more independent view of myself, focusing on internal rather than external factors. I have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and really appreciate how he combines various tools and models to fit each topic or situation. I highly recommend Matt as an executive coach.

by J

Testimonial 4

I have found all of my coaching sessions extremely effective – they have supported me through some of my biggest professional challenges (including a career change). It’s been brilliant how the coach has got to know me over the months we have been working together, this insight has enabled him to challenge me when necessary and help me to see my potential, set goals and make plans of how to get there.

by E

Testimonial 5

Before I started coaching I was at a point in my current role where I didn’t feel I was coping very well. My confidence was low and I was struggling to deal with certain behaviours of senior stakeholders. I knew that I wanted to change my behaviours to enhance my performance and understand where my own behaviours/lack of confidence were holding me back. The results have been impressive and well worth the investment.

by L

Testimonial 6

I was approaching retirement after a working career of 43 years. I am excited at the prospect of retirement but seemed to be getting anxious about all sorts of details. The coaching sessions helped me unravel my thoughts and clarify what was important to me as I move forward. I now feel free of worry and look forward to my final day in 2 weeks time.

by F

Testimonial 7

The first area we worked on was my confidence, starting with techniques I can use in situations where I have negative thoughts, nervous situations, dealing with over assertive people – a lot of work but I’ve experienced a major change. We also considered what my future looks like and derived a plan to achieve my ambitions. The sessions were a safe place to explore my thinking.

by J

Testimonial 8

I was coached over a series of sessions on areas of development where I really felt it would help me to become more influential and operate more effectively in a very senior environment. The sessions were extremely powerful and as a result I became much more confident person in my approach to a broad range of activities which resulted in my profile being raised significantly.

by J

Testimonial 9

Our coach encouraged open communication and provided the tools necessary for resolving conflicts effectively. The positive techniques he shared helped build trust and understanding within our team, allowing us to move forward more cohesively and efficiently. The impact of this coaching has been profound, and we are grateful for the expertise and support. I wholeheartedly recommend C2 to any team seeking to enhance collaboration and create a more harmonious working environment.

by J

Testimonial 10

I went into today’s session feeling deflated and left feeling upbeat. This was due to Matt pin pointing the reason for the deflation and getting me to understand as business owner how to avoid that particular problem in the future. We worked on a plan to address a conflict in strategy that had been worrying me for a while, once I had the opportunity to reflect on the problem the solution jumped out at me. Simple but effective.

by M

Testimonial 11

The opportunity to talk through issues with someone impartial with no knowledge of the people or projects was very freeing and allowed me talk through and process sensitive issues that I could not cover with my exec team. Time to talk with no distractions but within a process that explores the issues, especially on challenging topics, enabled me to work through (with guidance) to unravel what I wanted to do.

by K

Testimonial 12

I think the balance of empathy whilst driving a view of a ‘way forward’ helped me look beyond what seemed, on the day, as a thankless situation which I was struggling to see how I was going to move forward with. My coach’s style is appropriately sensitive with enough personal insight to make you feel that you are not the only person to have been in this situation….and there is a solution you just have to think differently in order to find it

by R

Testimonial 13

I thoroughly enjoyed my coaching sessions with my coach who is intuitive, insightful and a great active listener. He draws on his extensive experience of working with a broad range of clients and his many years of managing people in diverse settings and contexts. He applies his skill set and deep knowledge of the coaching process to help clients clearly identify their ambitions, challenges or areas for development and to unlock and apply their innate potential.

by N

Testimonial 14

Honesty and frankness from the start and some awkward self-assessment soon showed the value of undergoing professional coaching. My coach has an ability of teasing out the areas for improvement and I have been able to apply these to my daily role. These changes have been noted through my management chain as positive changes to haw I conduct my daily business. Well worth the commitment to the process.

by R

Testimonial 15

The knowledge and experience of coaching is excellent and pulls on many techniques to facilitate the sessions there was a good blend of challenge and support, and I was regularly taken out of my comfort zone but in a very psychologically safe way. The sessions were confidential and I absolutely trusted that I could be very open on a personal and professional level.

by K

Testimonial 16

I really appreciated how well my coach listened to and understood my situations and could explain back to how I felt to demonstrate understanding. The tools, tips and techniques that were introduced were highly effective and really helpful. I generated major changes which resulted in a promotion.

by K

Testimonial 17

This was my first ever coach and it’s been a fantastic experience. The coach did a great job in creating an environment within which I can be open and honest. He takes a structured approach to our sessions to allow us to reflect on the challenges and desired outcomes to allow me to plan how to move forward. The sessions are always productive and of immense value.

by E

Testimonial 18

Matt’s ability to listen with empathy is appreciated and is skill in questioning to allow me to ‘say the words myself’ definitely works. Dealing with my emotional responses in a careful way which didn’t leave me feeling patronised also worked. I have gone form feeling stuck to having a clear idea of where I want to go and how to get there.

by V

Testimonial 19

The energy and the drive I get from our sessions, is always fantastic, challenging and comprehensive.

Testimonial 20

I have now a good set of tools to reflect in the way I react in certain scenarios, and I have now the emotional awareness to comprehend why I react that way.

Testimonial 21

Sarah’s ability to create a brave space allowed me to explore difficult emotions, to be vulnerable and to work through it at my pace. This not only helped me achieve my goals but gave me tools to maintain progress on my own.

Testimonial 22

You have pushed me to challenge my own assumptions and boundaries, allowing me to grow and change significantly.

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