Founder & MD
Founder, Coach and Actor-Facilitator
After qualifying as a solicitor at global firm Ashurst and practising in the West-End of London as a commercial litigator, Steve pivoted and took a role as a coach and skills facilitator for law firm BCLP (formerly Berwin Leighton Paisner), before managing firm-wide legal training for law firm SJ Berwin. He then took on a global Associate skills development role with Ashurst coaching and facilitating international programmes for lawyers and business services staff. Steve then became Head of Learning & Development for leading private client firm Forsters before moving into consultancy.
Steve’s book, ‘21st Century Solicitor: How to make a real impact as a junior commercial lawyer’ (Bloomsbury/Hart Publishing) honed in on some of the foundation elements for a meaningful lawyer ‘brand’ early on in the legal career journey. Qualified as a coach/mentor with the Oxford School of Coach Mentoring (‘OCM’), Steve is an Associate of The Møller Institute in Cambridge (Churchill College). Steve also has a Certificate in Brain-Based Conversation Skills from the Neuroleadership Institute and a Certificate in Transactional Analysis 101 from the Berne Institute. Steve is also qualifying as a team coach with Meyler Campbell (the Unlimited Programme).
Steve works with individuals as well as groups, enriching his practice with accreditations across many psychometric tools (including Lumina Spark, Insights Discovery, FIRO B, Belbin, TKI, EQI2.0) as well as being a qualified online learning facilitator with the Learning Performance Institute (‘LPI’). Steve is also an experienced business role-player and skills practice facilitator.
Steve is an External Advisory Board Member for the Legal Advice Centre at Queen Mary University of London. Steve is also a qualified Family Mediator (2021 with the Family Mediators Association – the FMA). He is working towards accreditation with the Family Mediation Council. Steve works with couples looking to separate and to avoid the traditional court process. Steve has a particular interest in child-care arrangements and child-focused mediation.
Steve is also an award-winning standup/character comedian and performer. With over 1500 live shows under his belt at some of the largest and most prestigious venues in the UK, Steve toured and performed for over six years with some of the biggest names in comedy.
Steve lives in London with his wife Michelle, their son Busby, their daughter Silke and a cranky Siberian Forest cat called Audrey Pickles. When he isn’t with his kids, he loves running, gardening and cricket (not at the same time).
Background
Former City of London solicitor, senior L&D professional and award-winning broadcast actor with broad experience across the professional service firm sector working at all levels from Senior Associate through to senior Partner and C-Suite/Board at an individual and team level.
Experience
- Solicitor (Ashurst)
- Senior Learning positions (including Head of) for various firms
including BCLP, SJ Berwin, Ashurst and Forsters - In-house coach for law firms with responsibilities across global
office networks - Qualified and practising mediator (FMA)
- Board Advisor for Queen Mary University Legal Advice
Centre - Associate – Executive Education at the Moller Institute
(Cambridge University) - Award-winning actor and comedian – TV and radio credits
Education
- Unlimited – Team Coaching – Meyler Campbell (2024)
- The Oxford School of Coach Mentoring (OCM) – Coaching
and Mentoring Diploma (2008-2009) - Certificate in Transactional Analysis 101 – The Berne Institute
(2023) - Certificate in Brain-Based Conversational Skills – the
Neuroleadership Institute (2020) - Family Mediation Qualification – the FMA (2020)
- College of Law and Oxford Institute of Legal Practice (2001-
2003) - Leeds University – Politics (1st Class) 1997-2000
Focus Areas
- Balance – how do you find balance as an ambitious
professional? - Personal brand – focused on career transitions – what is the
‘leap’ you need to make and how can you achieve it? - Team leadership – how do you run and lead your team?
- Challenging conversations – what are the key conversations
you need to have? Why aren’t you having them? - Interpersonal relationships – how does your personality style
impact you
Relevant Professional Qualifications/Accreditations
- A huge range of psychometric instruments (including Lumina
Spark, Insights Discovery, HTI, EQI 2.0, TKI, FIRO-B, Belbin,
TRACOM Social Styles - Qualified Online Learning Facilitator (The LPI)