I have used Andrew's services as business coach, sometimes straying into holistic mindset coach on two separate occasions [one of the many benefits I get from the sessions is the combination of the business and holistic mindset - the scope of our sessions are broad, the clarity and actions are laser focused].

The first group of sessions was during a particular juncture in my career with the business I was working for going through a big restructure, my mentor and boss was leaving the business and I was challenging myself to understand my place and direction.

The second group of sessions were around the time I was promoted to leading the business I had advised and worked for over the last 7 years. It felt a career defining time and the 'how to handle / what next' question needed some reflection.

On both sets of sessions, I've found the sessions inspiring, thoughtful and impactful.

Inspiring
- Challenging the norms and my perceptions, setting up structures to allow me to achieve the things I want to
- Providing perspective in times of uncertainty, pulling back to previous discussions and tying narratives together to help piece fragmented thoughts together into a narrative that can help drive decision and action
- Good understanding of the music industry, and broader digital transformations and agenda which really helps

Thoughtful
- Recommending books, lectures, people, music, etc to support things we talk about
- Uses academic study of humans, the mind, to root the practical application in science
- Uses anecdotal stories to support messages, challenging how I may be approaching a subject
- Getting insights into Andrew's broader knowledge and experience
- Finding clarity in areas I had not before

Impactful
- For me the biggest hurdle was always 'what does this actually result in' and 'how can i measure the success of these sessions'. the way I see the benefit is impacting my life outside of the sessions, that I can either directly or indirectly link back to things we discussed. Examples being miraculously finding more time for the things I want to spend on, having a happy healthy family, picking up hobbies that I've dropped for years, over indexed career progression, finding ways of facing difficult work situations with calm and perspective
- Keeping me accountable to things we discuss. The sessions are rooted in practicality.

Ultimately I know my career has accelerated, the business is doing very well, and I feel happier, calmer with more perspective to deal with the things that life throws at you!

I quite often get asked to recommend people for one reason or another but I'm usually reluctant to. In this case I have no qualms whatsoever about recommending Andrew.

Just over a year ago a friend suggested magCulture would benefit from some business coaching. My first reaction was as skeptical as I imagine most people's would be. You meet once a month and talk about the business, and somehow this helps? But my friend persisted (thanks Duncan) I gave in, and I met with Andrew.

The way it works is strikingly simple; you open up about your business and Andrew asks questions. What he doesn't do is provide answers directly, instead he teases the answers from you. I left each meeting buzzing with focused intent and plans. We met once a month for two hours, and in six months my perspective on what I was doing had completely been refreshed.

I'm sure there are plenty of coaches out there doing similar things; perhaps the big hurdle is to take on board the concept of coaching. I can wholeheartedly recommend it. For anyone at startup stage or facing decisions around growth, in fact anyone in business, it's a really valid service.

Once that decision is made, the question is who to work with and I would suggest you get in touch with Andrew immediately. A key part of the success of our relationship was his calm, measured approach that meant some big ideas slipped easily into conversation without any sense of coercion. Andrew would generally resist outright yes/no questions from me, meaning when he did offer an opinion it was always notable and relevant.

The coaching Andrew provided played a huge part in the development of my business over the past year, and I already sense I'm missing his regular input.

Andrew helped us develop skills and understanding in areas that, previously, we hadn't even begun to consider. He worked carefully and methodically with us, taking the time to get under the skin both of our business, and of us as individuals. The result was both a clarity of vision, and a solid plan for growth that we're now taking forward. I only wish we'd begun the process a decade earlier!

As a leader, it’s often difficult to to find people around you who you can openly sharing your every thought with to find impartial direction. In many cases, we already have the answers to our many questions, but we need to dig deep to find them. I've worked with Andrew for more than three years now to dig deep to find those answers. Andrew has accompanied me on a turbulent journey of highs and lows, excitement and disappointment and though the successful sale of two businesses. His guidance has been golden and I'm exceptionally thankful to have worked with him and I look forward to working with him for years to come.

Andrew began working with us at Information is Beautiful Studio as part of the Growth Accelerator programme. We found the experience so rewarding that we continue to work with him on a regular basis. He has a great coaching style and has helped us work through our start-up challenges. As we grow, he now coaches us with our business planning to ensure that we're staying on track. I would have no hesitation recommending Andrew.

The most impactful benefit, from the time I’ve spent with Andrew, has been my increased self-awareness. This helps me every day in my interactions with colleagues and clients. I’m aware of my own personality traits and behaviours patterns. I make interventions that are effective in their outcome, despite not coming naturally or being particularly comfortable. Having time to pause and talk through the multitude of things occupying my mind has been invaluable. It’s led to an acceptance of anxiety as a part of life which can be embraced as a means of motivation and effectiveness.