Steve sat on a panel at a Getting on Board discussion on “Boards behaving badly”. He was funny, hard-hitting, perceptive and entertaining! He has a lovely way of always being the person to cut through the noise and point out how the people involved with charities can do better.

Penny Wilson, Chief Executive, Getting On Board

If your charity’s looking for standard, text book, copy and paste training….scroll on, that’s not what Steve Allman delivers. Steve delivers bespoke, insightful, powerful sessions and workshops to suit your needs

If you are a trustee or a frustrated CEO or SLT member and are looking for something unique, insightful, fun (yes really, training can be fun) and bespoke training, then Steve Allman is the guy for you.

Our charity needed a refresh, we had new trustees, new ideas and lots of enthusiasm but needed sitting down in a room and herding up to properly formulate this in a meaningful way. Steve did that!

His knowledge is vast, his humour is quick and he has the perfect balance of support, guidance and challenge to move people into new ways of thinking and to help get the best out of each one of you in the room.

If charities need refocusing, refreshing or reminding them of why they are doing the ‘stuff’ they do then Steve is the guy. If you want to take your team on a journey with you to achieve success together as a team, then Steve is the guy to facilitate, I recommend you get in touch and start the conversation to see where he can help, you won’t regret it.

Steve Allman delivered a fantastic interactive Strategy Workshop for our charity. It was engaging, illuminating and inspiring. I’d have no hesitation in asking Steve to work with me again.

Steve combines real insightfulness and warmth with the rare ability to show you where (and help you plan how) you need to develop. 

This highly thoughtful and skilled approach and his real depth of understanding of the role of the charity CEO (and great use of humour!) means coaching with him is the right balance of action orientated, reflective and supportive.

I worked with Steve in my first year as a new CEO and found his support, insight and challenge an absolute lifeline in navigating the complexities of small charity leadership, in particular leading for change. Cannot recommend him highly enough!

Dee Fraser, Chief Executive, Iriss

We really enjoyed our Values Workshop with Steve, he’s a brilliant facilitator and trainer.

Not only was it fun with amazing colourful sticky notes, pens and string but it felt as if everyone’s views and, most importantly, values were listened to and validated.  That’s no mean feat with such a large group and range of people!

This is what I was really keen to achieve when briefing Steve and I really felt like he spent the time listening to me.  The other great thing is that he adapted his plan on the day to meet the additional needs within the group, so we really appreciated that.

I highly recommend Steve and look forward to working with him again soon.

Amy Griffiths, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Diss & Thetford

I was referred to Steve for a 2-hour session to help with my next career move following a charity restructuring.  I would highly recommend his coaching services.  Steve provided practical and emotional support and advice that has really helped me determine potential career path.  His approach is laid back, funny and friendly – it’s like a chat with a friend who happens to be a brilliant charity sector coach.

Maya Alexander, Development Coordinator, Ministry of Stories

Very motivating coaching session, insightful and extremely helpful, thoroughly recommend Steve Allman. Felt revitalised after the session, with a clearer perspective on everything. Whatever your role get in touch, you won’t regret it.

Alison Pearson, Community Engagement Officer, ActivLives

I’d been following Steve Allman on LinkedIn for a while. His posts were funny but also brutally honest about leadership life in a charity. I bit the biscuit and have just completed 6 months coaching.

I thought I had a big question about my future – I felt I couldn’t cope being a parent and a charity CEO and was doing neither well.

Turns out I needed to address my exceptionally unhealthy work ethic, pace and boundaries. Fast forward 6 months and this so-called biscuit guru has got me to the point where I can mostly coach myself. I’ve also got a stack of practical tools to help me manage myself and others better.

The most important lesson though was that you can’t have a home brain and work brain. Something I’d convinced myself was possible. I had not addressed some personal life stuff and it was influencing all my relationships. I was second guessing my own gut instincts and obsessing about the perceived impact on others putting my own feelings, time and happiness last every time. And the harsh reality is that there are those that will take advantage, even in a charity.

I never thought I’d have a coach let alone one that made me both laugh and cry in the same hour,

Being a CEO can be lonely, the sense of responsibility you have for your team, beneficiaries and community is intense. It’s rare anyone checks in on you. Steve has been in it, seen it all and reads between the lines like no other person can. Having space and time to be listened to, supported and guided is game-changing.

To all those charity CEOs or leaders out there, get a Steve.

Lucie Muir, CEO, Wildscreen

Steve delivered two sessions for us at our NHS Charities Together national conference; one on Terrific Terminology and one on Marvellous Methodology.  Feedback from attendees was particularly positive on the Terrific Terminology session. 

Steve really engaged the room, pitching the session at the right level, and managing to get a lot of information across in a short space of time – with a good level of humour and a confident, relaxed style.

The planning and development process wasn’t without its challenges, but Steve turned up and delivered, creating a good foundation for further conversations on impact!  I am looking forward to working together on a webinar later in the year.

Amy Woolger, Head of Evaluation, Learning & Insights, NHS Charities Together

I was sceptical about coaching in general but with Steve Allman, how wrong I was! Steve’s no-nonsense, straight to the point approach was refreshing. He understood me, my present and future goals really swiftly. He brought me much needed perspective, reframing and grounding, and even though it’s been a while since our sessions, I’m still reaping rewards. Thanks to Steve, I no longer feel ‘trapped’ in an industry sector. My only regret – not reaching out to Steve sooner!

Mandy Mahil, Chief Operating Officer, BUD Leaders

I have had the privilege of being coached by Steve for a year now and can’t recommend him enough. He has helped me grow both in terms of knowledge and leadership. What I like, besides his humour and love of biscuits, is that he offers a real supportive space for reflection while offering real, practical tools that have impact. He cuts through the “crap” and asks insightful questions which helps me to reflect and think. It is because of this I asked him to run some leadership workshops for our management team, and he has helped to bring us all onto the same page and get us working more effectively together.  Diolch Steve!

Vicky Friis, Chief Executive Officer, Vale Domestic Abuse Services

I approached Steve via linkedin, initially because I liked his humorous posts! Working in a Charity often feels constantly challenging and demanding, and I appreciate the levity that Steve brings to our sessions. So, if you need to find the humour even amidst the darkest situations, then you are in the right place. But Steve is so much more than this and is an excellent coach. He has challenged me, opened my eyes to how I work, understanding what I’m about, and subsequently, I, and my organisation as a result, have really benefited from my time with Steve.

Samantha Leahy-Harland, CEO, Student’s Union Bournemouth University

I’ve been working with Steve Allman for the past 6 months and just come to the end of our first and hopefully not last coaching stint.  What an easy recommendation to give!  Not only is Steve a great coach and has a unique ability to ask challenging questions which allowed me to give myself advice, and yes of course course his coaching comes with positive intent, however it also came with so much positivity, humour ( the ‘Dad ‘jokes ) and helped be build confidence and self-belief.  Especially in understanding my role, where of course Steve’s decades of experience in the charity sector helped.

Libby Herbert, Chief Executive, Colostomy UK

Steve facilitated a charity development day for our small NHS charity. It was a first for us and we were all amazed at how much we achieved in just half a day! It was invaluable to have an outside perspective to draw out conversations and perspectives from the group. Steve worked brilliantly with all the attendees who represented a broad range of roles from within the charity and from the NHS Trust. Our aim by the end of the session was to have worked our way to an agreed Vision for the Charity, which we did! I would highly recommend Steve, we found the day very valuable, energising and have used our feedback report as a jumping off point for further development.

Sophie Burt, Head of Fundraising & Community Development, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity

Really enjoyed working with Steve. He asked all the right questions and I left our meeting feeling more energised and clearer about what I wanted to achieve. Highly recommended!

Elena Laguna, Director of Volunteer Experience, St John Ambulance

Coaching with Steve has helped to restore my confidence following a challenging few months in a previous role and develop my leadership skills and style as I transition into being a first-time charity Chief Executive.

Steve has provided the perfect balance of insightful and honest critical reflection and supportive encouragement.  Our coaching sessions have enabled me to feel more self-assured in leading ‘my way’, and also encourage my colleagues to recognise and develop their own leaderships skills.

Steve’s input has enabled me to learn more about myself as a person, and as a leader, at a crucial time in my career, to grow from his wisdom and guidance and feel better prepared for the challenges that I’m likely to face in my role as a charity CEO.

Gavin Stone, Chief Executive, 4YP

I fully recommend spending some time with Steve Allman. His coaching provided me with the tools I needed to get clarity around a situation I was in, and the next steps I needed to take to make a change. Thanks Steve!

Steve ran a really engaging Governance Workshop for our Trustees at Home-Start in Suffolk. We left the day refreshed, re-invigorated and with a plan of action – just what we needed. 

Sometimes a Board of Trustees needs to step away from the usual routine to think and work together. This was a perfect blend of personal thinking time, team activities, teamwork and ultimately establishing a way forward. I heartily recommend Steve.

Rob Thacker, Chair, Home-Start in Suffolk

I worked with Steve in his capacity as a facilitator for Home-Start UK.  The work took place over 3 months and had a focus on trustee, governance and succession planning.  

Steve supported the structure of the work-plan and supported participants in the main group and breakout groups.  He made suggestions and proposed ideas to aid conversations and discussions and was at all times flexible when participants had issues they need to explore in-depth.

Steve has an in-depth understanding of the charity sector and of Home-Start.  At all times Steve was personable, accessible, flexible and professional and I would recommend him for similar work.

Tracey Simpson-Laing, Chief Executive, Home-Start Leeds

I booked a standalone coaching session with Steve Allman and was amazed at how much was accomplished in just one hour, coming away with fresh insight and clarity across several areas of my work life.

He asks really good questions and gets to the key issues really quickly, making the most of limited time without it ever feeling rushed.

No matter where you are in your career or what your challenges might be, I wholeheartedly recommend Steve Allman and hope to be able to work with him again.

Stephanie Jarman, Strategic Director, Nine Collective

Steve Allman ran a Saturday session for Survivors UK charity trustees. Steve was an excellent facilitator, building a good rapport and was both well prepared and adaptable. He was good at drawing out points and making us work through trickier issues during the day. He draws on a wide and deep understanding of the third sector to provide support and challenege. Steve provided a clear and comprehensive write up after the session which has been very beneficial for our on-going board work. I can thoroughly recommend Steve.

Steve’s refreshing, clear, no-nonsense support sets him apart.  He understood me right from the start and really ‘got’ what mattered to me – which is very reassuring when you’re going in circles in your mind! 

Steve and our sessions were focused, friendly, and well-organised.  Compared with other coaches, my experience was:

*There’s good continuity and progression between sessions
*He really cares about you and your success
*He doesn’t play games – if he sees something obvious that you’re not seeing, he’ll say
*His observations and suggestions always moved things on productively.

Highly recommended – come to his LinkedIn for the content, and stay for the coaching!

Graeme Reekie, Charity Consultant, Author of “Lasting Difference”

I’ve worked with Steve Allman now for nearly a year. I have worked through difficult times and got through some tough ‘stuff’ including some major Imposter Syndrome. Steve has always asked the right questions that made me realise that I do have the answers I’m after, (most of the time!). I would thoroughly recommend to Steve to anyone that needs some positive inspiration and I will definitely be working with him again.

Steve McClure, Head of Facilities, Havens Hospices

I’ll be forever grateful to Steve for his support and wisdom during a challenging time. His comforting but honest style was helpful in allowing me to see and take control of things and shift my mindset.

Steve is a very skilled coach, carefully but purposefully navigating you through each session and is great at helping you reflect. 

Throughout my sessions with him, I felt supported and listened to; (it’s a great skill to be able to ‘actively listen’ to people and Steve is adept at it) and he helped me to regain my confidence through reminding me of the things I do well. 

I also bagged an exciting new job as a result of my renewed confidence and without Steve’s coaching, I know I might not have the self-assurance to take the leap of faith and push myself out of my comfort zone.

One of the nicest things Steve said to me during my coaching was that I was very authentic, something which is also very true of Steve and his approach and values is reflective of that.

I’d happily (and have already) recommend Steve to anyone!

Paul Brackley, Richard Whitehead Foundation

Steve gave a presentation on Working Together at a recent Stronger Kent Communities event.  He was engaging, funny and very informative – he gave loads of good ideas for people to take away. I’d definitely recommend him.

Sue Tucker, Operations Manager, Stronger Kent Communities

Steve’s training at our away day for The Cowshed Charity was an incredible experience.  

His humour, unique ideas, friendliness, and ability to make us think outside the box left a lasting impact on our team. 

Steve created an enjoyable and inclusive environment that empowered us to embrace our strengths and explore new possibilities. 

We are immensely grateful for his exceptional guidance and highly recommend him for transformative training experiences.

Sally Russell, CEO, The Cowshed Charity

I had the pleasure of coaching with Steve Allman over the past year, and I found it an incredibly valuable experience. Steve has a deep understanding of charity leadership and a genuine ability to ask questions that both challenge and guide.

One of my biggest take-aways from our sessions has been learning to focus on what I can control and influence, rather than getting bogged down by external pressures. This shift in mindset helped me approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

Steve’s supportive and approachable style made it easy to reflect openly and turn my goals into actionable steps. Coaching with Steve has had a tangible impact on my role, enabling me to clarify priorities, strengthen decision-making, and bring a fresh perspective to my leadership approach.

I’d highly recommend Steve to any charity leader seeking thoughtful and impactful coaching!

I connected with Steve Allman after following his thought provoking posts on LinkedIn. As a new CEO having a space to reflect and be challenged has been enormously helpful. The relationship felt comfortable from the off and it was easy to develop rapport and trust. Steve makes you feel like he has a genuine interest in you/ your work and despite completing our sessions I’ll stay in touch and follow more of his provocative posts. If you need someone who knows their way around the charity sector and its frustrating quirks Steve is your man.

Karen Robson, CEO, The Care Collective

Steve Allman lives charity, breathes charity, and eats… well, biscuits. He’s a brilliant consultant, wildly passionate about social good and brings a depth of hands-on experience to the conversation.

We held a Nonprofit Power Hour session with Steve to reflect on our charity’s journey through survival, stability, and explore our approach on what comes next which will be pivotal to furthering our reach and impact of our work.

Steve instantly developed trust and understanding, his calm and comforting approach effortlessly put us at ease. Steve’s thought-provoking questions and well positioned pauses challenged and validated in equal measure.

Closing off with a collection of insights, Steve tied off the hour leaving a positive impact and contributions that will shape our work for years to come.

Zoheb Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Mosaic 1898

Steve worked with us recently as a facilitator on our Learn, Test, Change series for local trustees. 

I find Steve so thoughtful and curious, just as you’d hope a great facilitator to be – he really wants to get the best from working together. 

Steve’s knowledge of our work and the wider sector helped greatly and he brought a sense of perspective and humour to some difficult circumstances. I look forward to when we can work together again.

Alan Webb, Assistant Director, Home-Start UK

Steve has a superb knowledge of all aspects of the charity sector all the way through from volunteering to Chairing the Board of Trustees. 

He is generous with sharing his knowledge and expertise and does so in such a way that you really remember what he says – and the humour that accompanies it.

Steve has just led a strategy development session for us and in a short space of time enabled us to see so many aspects and make decisions that no amount of work over the previous 8 months had achieved. 

Thanks, Steve, you are thoroughly recommended!

Karen Wilson DL, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Youth Federation

I recently had the pleasure of working with Steve Allman for our charity team’s away day, and the experience was truly exceptional. Steve’s refreshingly ‘analog’ approach—avoiding PowerPoint in favour of flip-charts, the universally loved post-it notes, and meaningful face-to-face interaction—created an environment where genuine collaboration flourished.

What impressed me most was Steve’s ability to maintain high energy throughout the session with his adaptable facilitation style and dynamic pacing. His extensive knowledge of NHS charities and their unique challenges was evident throughout the day, allowing him to tailor activities specifically to our context and needs.

Every team member remained fully engaged as we tackled problem-solving exercises, mapped out our vision, and developed greater self-awareness. Steve’s understanding of the healthcare charity sector helped us address our specific challenges with relevant, practical solutions.

The impact of Steve’s work extended well beyond the day itself. Our team left with valuable insights to reflect upon and, more importantly, actionable steps to implement. I highly recommend Steve to any organization, particularly those in the NHS charity sector, looking for a facilitator who can deliver meaningful results through authentic engagement.

After following Steve Allman on LinkedIn for a year or so and enjoying his relevant and funny posts, I decided to bite the bullet and book in a coaching session before starting a new job role – my second charity leadership job.

I wanted to start as I mean to go on, and talk through some areas I didn’t feel as confident about. From the start of our session, I felt comfortable and able to be open/honest. I’d informed him in advance of my accessibility needs as a deaf person which he had prepared for and checked that everything was ok (lighting/picture/ sound quality etc).

I felt listened to and understood throughout. Steve’s questions were insightful, and were a real eye opener as to some of my thought patterns. He provided useful analogies, tips and strategies and positive feedback which left me feeling much more confident and ready to get started in my new role.

He has the knowledge, experience and insight to understand and comment on the unique features, challenges and benefits of working in the charity sector.

As I’m self-funding sessions, committing to a package wouldn’t have been right for me so it was great to be able to book a one-off session – although it won’t be my last!

Claire Baldwin, Joint Senior Manager, Manchester Deaf Centre

Steve has used his skills and experience to develop senior leaders to improve their impact in our charity.  His pragmatic and iterative approach encourages quick progress and a balanced and measured response to every type of challenge.

Steve’s outlook on leadership is refreshing and based on realistic outcomes with authenticity high on the agenda.  I would recommend every senior leader or CEO in the Third Sector to have a session with Steve!

Steve Smith FRSA, Chief Executive, Havens Hospices

Steve’s coaching has definitely helped me regain my confidence. Not only that, the sessions managed to help me to understand why I had lost my confidence in the first place.

Steve’s coaching has enabled me to understand more about myself as a leader and helped me to develop my skills, encouraging me to have faith in myself and my abilities.

He has the ability to carefully steer each session with the perfect balance of reflection and compassion, ensuring you feel comfortable and listened to.

He is a really genuine guy and I am grateful he has been part of this journey with me, providing me with the tools to become the leader I want to be.

I would most certainly recommend Steve as a coach and look forward to catching up with him for a final reflection in due course.

Alison Watson, Fundraising & Marketing Manager, Home-Start in Suffolk

I contacted Steve Allman on LinkedIn as I was struggling to lead a balanced life while running a small foundation that I founded in shark conservation. Over 3 months, Steve and I worked together to untie some of my limiting beliefs, unrealistic ambitions and address my daily stresses. I felt much more relaxed, and really think Steve is a fantastic coach. I never felt very comfortable within the coaching setup but his humour, pragmatism and tangible suggestions made it very easy and fun.

I reached out to Steve for coaching during the lockdown as I had previously come across several of his brilliant LinkedIn posts (If you haven’t come across them already, I urge you to do so, they’re guaranteed to raise a smile!).

Our introductory conversation generated plenty of self-reflection before we even got into the coaching discussions and being able to benefit from Steve’s vast knowledge and experience was invaluable. 

Steve’s ‘real’ understanding of the sector with all its opportunities and challenges was evident, and it was a great relief not having to explain some things in detail as Steve clearly understood and ‘got it’ having been there himself. It helped that the sessions also came delivered with an amazing sense of humour!

I learned a lot about myself and admittedly it was not always easy. There were some difficult conversations to be had and reflections to face up to, yet Steve handled those sessions with compassion and sensitivity whilst being challenging and not afraid to ask those tricky questions. 

Coaching with Steve was a great investment and an absolute joy. I would totally recommend working with Steve if you get the opportunity.

Janet Meehan, Partnerships & Development Manager, Carers Trust

Had a really fun hour long coaching session with Steve Allman. Lots of laughs and so much for me to take away and reflect on, including some immediate concrete actions to address work/life balance.

Steve asked such perceptive questions which got right to the heart of the issues I’ve been dealing with and shared some useful tools and frameworks to help me address them.

Jacqui Sherlock, Head of Policy, Youth Futures Foundation

Steve and I did some coaching sessions soon after I took on a new role as a charity Chief Executive. 

I am so glad we connected!  What I appreciated about my sessions with Steve was his ability to ask sharp questions to get to the heart of an issue. 

He also has a sense of ‘been there, seen it, done it’ with regard to the charity CEO role, which was a tremendous support for someone in my position. 

I felt comfortable being fully open and honest with Steve and (although it’s a cliche), he did create that ‘safe space’ for the coaching work to happen.

Steve also has a wicked sense of humour (in a good way), that both puts you at ease, but also challenges you. 

Arriving at the end of 2022, and stepping into 2023, I have some clarity on my goals for the short & middle term. 

I look forward to keeping up with Steve’s LinkedIn posts, which are also equally insightful and good humoured.

Mike Findlay, MCIPR, Chief Executive, International Network of Street Papers

Steve nailed our team away day today. He listened to the brief, developed a great session plan which was engaging and fun and he managed the energy and pace brilliantly. It’s Steve’s experience in the charity sector (he’s been there and got the t-shirt) coupled with his fun and engaging style that made him a perfect fit for us. If you’ve over away days that feel like PowerPoint overload or where you’re expected to build a life raft out of two pencils and a paper clip, then I’d highly recommend a conversation with Steve, you won’t be disappointed.

Emma Clarke, CEO, Weston Park Cancer Charity

Thank you, Steve Allman, for your commitment and knowledge as a coach. Your support over our time working together has been critical to navigating some tricky challenges and developing in a relatively new role as a charity Chief Executive. The experience you bring to the coaching role is particularly important—having somebody who ‘gets’ the charity sector and some of the specific issues that come along with it was very helpful. This is a very easy recommendation to make. Lovely bloke, doing great work.

I’ve been a client of Steve’s for almost 2 years now, with our coaching sessions being immensely helpful, both in terms of unpacking and reframing historical challenges and experiences (which I didn’t know I needed to unpack, but absolutely did), but also exploring my motivations, actions, and that all important and often critical ‘self-talk’ that I subject myself to!

Steve’s relaxed approach, challenge of my thought processes and emotions, as well as laser like focus on getting to the heart of the matter, has helped me understand myself much better, but also equipped me with healthier thought processes, and more effective coping mechanisms.

I’ve worked with many coaches throughout the years, many I dreaded and found quite condescending, but I genuinely look forward to my sessions with Steve, and he’s now my ‘go-to’ when I need help and support. I can’t recommend him highly enough.

Matt Wynes, Director of Fundraising (Interim), Myeloma UK

We had the most fabulous Governance Workshop with Steve Allman. He encouraged creativity, banter (if you know us, you know that’s helpful!) talking, flow and best of all drawing!

If you haven’t looked into Steve honestly go and follow him and if you need his amazing service I would encourage everyone to book him now! As funny in real life as he is on here but really gets to the nitty gritty and has a way of explaining things so you can actually understand it!

Coffee4Craig have a relatively new board so it was lovely to get together and really look at any issues and how we start the ball rolling. Me and Hendrix Lancaster are really looking forward to working with the board and hopefully more with Steve Allman.

Risha Lancaster, General Manager / Co-Founder, Coffee4Craig

When I started a new role as a charity CEO, I recognised that it could be isolating and valued the need for a good coach to help support and guide me. That connection and intuition became a reality; by committing to six months of coaching, I had flexibility in changing my biweekly sessions to when I needed them most. I looked forward to each session, and it helped my mindset and approach. A leader I could turn to when I needed it most.

Steve was a voice of reason and empowered me in the most challenging times when the stress of responsibility consumed me. This enabled me to remain professional and keep my integrity by reassuring me that I was not going mad.

Ultimately, it helped me decide that despite my values, passion and capability for the role, my efforts to persevere and change the status quo were impossible. It didn’t work out, and that is fine. I am happier and healthier, maintaining a sense of purpose and hope for the future.

Bethany Gallichan, CEO, Association of Jersey Charities

I’ve had the privilege of working with Steve on numerous occasions through my role at Home-Start in Suffolk, and I can confidently say he is exceptional at what he does.  Whether it’s refining our strategy, developing our team through coaching, or enhancing our governance, Steve has consistently brought his deep knowledge and experience to the table. What truly sets him apart is his uncanny ability to understand how individuals tick, enabling him to deliver a bespoke, person-centred approach that drives real outcomes.

I’ve long admired Steve’s LinkedIn posts and his great sense of humour, so when we had the opportunity to host our inaugural volunteer conference, I knew immediately who I wanted as the keynote speaker. Steve did not disappoint. He delivered with clarity, seamlessly weaving real-life examples with facts and figures, all underscored by his signature wit and raw authenticity. He had the room laughing, engaged, and deeply motivated- no mean feat for 9.30 am on a cold, wet morning in October.  But don’t just take my word for it—our volunteers scored Steve’s keynote 100% in their feedback! Here’s what some of them had to say:

“I really liked what Steve Allman said and think I could use it to convince friends and family to volunteer. It was great that he had been a volunteer himself, so he really knew what he was talking about, which made it all the more relevant.”

“Steve Allman was excellent. Sometimes I feel like a fraud because I don’t volunteer as much as others, but he made me feel valued no matter how much I do.”

“A very motivational speaker.”

“It was uplifting, and I felt truly valued.”

Steve is a true expert, a motivator, and a joy to work with. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for top-notch strategic insight, coaching, or speaking engagements, just make sure you have decent biscuits available otherwise you might find yourself as the feature in one of his future Linkedin posts!

Tara Spence, CEO, Home-Start in Suffolk

I believe that connection with a cause and the person is key to building trust, and that trust is key to ensuring the message lands and resonates with the audience. If you believe this too, then Steve is your man! His generosity in sharing his story, his sensitivity and kindness which stem from having walked in the shoes of many of us and his less than traditional approach make him an impactful and engaging keynote speaker and more!

Matthew Fellows, Chief Executive, St Michael’s Hospice (Hereford)

If any of my contacts within the charity sector are thinking about coaching for themselves or for their teams, then I can not recommend Steve Allman highly enough.

His knowledge of our sector and the challenges its leaders face is second to none but his style, approach, skills, insight and personality create a really powerful environment that challenges and supports in absolute equal measure.

I really value the time I get to spend with him and I know that I’m a better leader and person for it.

Edd Terrey, Director of Operations & Deputy CEO, Heart of England Mencap

Steve Allman ran an in-person workshop with our charity’s Trustee group to progress and support our governance review work. The session was tailored to our small charity and offered us practical steps for the future direction of our improvement programme.

Steve’s style, delivery and expertise was utterly brilliant – engaging, interesting and no death by PowerPoint. The feedback from the Trustees has been really great and the actions from the workshop have moved us further towards our goals both for the governance of the charity, but also for the ambitions of charity long-term; it’s helped us be more effective in our work supporting children and their families in hospital.

I can’t recommend Steve Allman enough – thank you for helping us be better.

I recently had the privilege of experiencing six coaching sessions with Steve Allman. His guidance proved to be immensely valuable in helping me identify and tackle my personal challenges.

Steve possesses a unique blend of empathy and insight, which made me feel understood and supported right from the start. He provided a safe and non-judgmental space for me to explore my issues with honesty and vulnerability. Steve’s approach to coaching was personalised, and he tailored each session to my specific needs and goals.

Through his thought-provoking questions and active listening, Steve skilfully helped me uncover underlying patterns and beliefs that were impeding my progress. Steve’s greatest strength lies in his ability to empower his clients to take actionable steps towards self-improvement. He provided me with practical strategies to overcome obstacles and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

As a result of our sessions, I have gained greater self-awareness and have made significant progress towards becoming the best version of myself. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve Allman to anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled coach to help them navigate personal challenges and foster personal growth.

His dedication to empowering others is truly inspiring, and I am confident that anyone who has the chance to work with him will benefit greatly from his wisdom and guidance.

Joanne Jopling, CEO, Young Women’s Outreach Project

Steve kicked off our first-ever event, and it’s safe to say it was an overwhelming success! His talk on “How to Navigate the Minefield of Charity Leadership” was not only engaging but also provided great insights, offering valuable takeaways to our attendees.

Despite the event being virtual, Steve’s presence and energy made it just as engaging as an in-person event, and he had us all laughing at his jokes!

The communication process throughout was seamless, a refreshing change from the challenges often faced when organising and liaising with speakers, and he promptly posted a write-up of his talk on our website.

The feedback we received from his talk was amazing, and I can’t think of a better speaker to have launched our events. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Steve and recommend him to my colleagues every chance I get!

Ocean King, Community Executive, CharityJob

No death from powerpoint here! I contacted Steve to hold a workshop between our Board of trustees and staff, to get them to engage with one another and discuss the key factors in our organisation and our strategy. This workshop was held after our AGM so I was slightly worried that we would be a long time sat down and spoken to.

I needn’t have worried as Steve put everyone at ease, engaging with each team member through humour and keeping the conversation and ideas going through an interactive workshop. Sweets, flip charts, coloured pens and fidget toys, Steve won my team over, provided us with an opportunity to interact with each other in an informal way.

Steve has left us with a set of actionable next steps, along with all our ideas and ‘brain dumps’ from the day on PDFs for us to return to as a team. I highly recommend Steve, he delivered a workshop that was fun, engaging and above all he knew his stuff, having past experience of the Charity sector really shone through. We will be getting Steve back again for our next workshop.

Sabiene North, CEO, Be Free Young Carers

I have followed, laughed and screamed at Steve Allman’s insights for many months (for free) like the rest.  Two weeks ago I invested in a 1 to 1.  Just me, and my challenges.  I got more way more time, and actionable advice than I expected in return for my investment.  I was challenged, AND got some empathy along the way (both were needed).  A number of suggestions have already seen the light of day (well, they became part of a Board paper) and are taking us forward.  If you love the public, no cost, ‘LinkedIn Steve Allman’, then I urge you to work with the private version of the same person!  It will be worth every penny.

David Evans, UK Country Director, Ace Africa

I have always enjoyed reading Steve Allman’s posts on LinkedIn – very much no nonsense, make a lot of sense, and very relatable. And a good sense of humour!

I booked a one-off session with Steve to get an idea of what it would be like to work with a coach, not expecting (if I’m honest) to get much out of one session. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I got so much out of it in ways that I really wasn’t expecting.

Right away Steve was able to get a good picture of where I was at professionally, and when he fed back what he was hearing it was a real eye opener for me, allowing me to take away some important points for reflection. I would recommend even just one session with Steve, as it was something that (even many weeks later) I am still reflecting on, and using to help me make decisions about my professional next steps.

Emma Collins, Head of Development, Twins Trust

Steve has been a brilliant source of support for me over the last year and a bit. After seeing some of his Linkedin posts, I was interested to find out more about the coaching he does and felt it was going to be important in my development as CEO in a small charity. From the start, that proved to be the case, and I have saw real personal growth in my development. Steve has a brilliant way of helping you find the answers, and providing you the base to develop them further. If you are considering developing in your role, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Steve.

Chris Paul, Founder & CEO, Man On Inverclyde

I approached Steve for some career guidance and coaching as I was lost and unfulfilled in my career but didn’t know why.  Steve listened to my values and helped me to discover and explore my motivations, pairing those with job options that I’m qualified for.

I only spent a few hours with Steve as these sessions provided me with more than enough value to be able to re-evaluate my position.  I left my time with Steve feeling re-energised and motivated.  I found a new role quickly that aligned with my motivations.

Thomas Smith, Curriculum Coordinator, Suffolk New College

Steve Allman ran a team building workshop for our charity’s small team of 7 people.  The day was really interactive and we all came away feeling really positive about our achievements over the last 12 months, and our plans for the future.  I’d highly recommend Steve to charities who want someone with lots of knowledge of the charity sector and the ability to lead productive and enjoyable workshops.

Emily Linnemann, Executive Director, Association of British Neurologists

I have really enjoyed working with Steve in my role as Chair of a Trustee Board of a medium sized charity.  He has really helped improve my confidence and increase my skills – he is unflinchingly honest and direct and also very witty at appropriate moments.  

His observations on leadership and chairing an effective board have been both helpful and incisive and I feel confident moving forward that we can function more dynamically and focus on strategy and future development rather than worrying about the broken door! 

He’s very engaging and personable and really gets the sector which is so important. I will miss working with him and I always enjoyed our sessions. I would really recommend him.

Sarah Blunden, Chair, Norfolk Community Law Service

When I first approached Steve Allman, I knew we needed support with our management and leadership team but wasn’t sure where to start. Steve talked me through the (very!) wide variety of services he could offer and made some recommendations on what could work for our Charity that came well within our training budget.

There was absolutely no pressure from Steve throughout the scoping process and after following him on LinkedIn, it was quite clear he was the person for the job with his extensive Charity background and varied leadership journeys.

We had a diagnostic workshop with 2 follow up workshops to deliver on what he had discovered about us as a group and as individuals. You can’t get more bespoke than that!

Steve’s no PowerPoints approach was refreshing and created an open forum of ideas being exchanged in a way I’ve rarely seen on leadership workshops before.

Steve’s workshops have brought us closer as a leadership team, allowed us to have a better understanding of each others personalities in an extremely engaging few sessions. His approach has definitely made me think twice about how we deliver our messages and projects internally especially when trying to initiate some more cultural changes.

A huge thank you to Steve Allman for his expertise and inspiration of changing up some of our delivery.

Gemma Bradley, Head of Operations, Trading & Governance, The Children’s Hospital Charity, Sheffield

I would 100% recommend the coaching of Steve Allman. Our shared time was beneficial for me and for JOLF CIC. Having been recommended his services by a close friend and slightly unsure of what I wanted or needed, the time proved to be a real line in the sand. I started with a constant feeling of being lost and overwhelmed. More than happy when faced with a class of 5-year-olds, but how are we going to spread the good work of JOLF and increase our impact? That was a question that I struggled with; there were no direct answers from Steve but a constant nudge towards my mission, vision and purpose. I now have a much better sense of self as well as a clearer understanding of my roles and responsibilities as the CEO of a CIC with a strong social and community purpose. I am looking forward to what is next with JOLF and have a map and a guide to support the journey. I will be connecting and sharing time with Steve again soon.

Steve is great! There are lot of coaches out there of varying quality, but Steve has walked the walk and can clearly and compassionately talk the talk. He was consummately professional – well organised, focussed and absolutely knew his stuff. I got such a lot out of every session – highly recommended!

Lauren Williams, Chief Executive, Vision North Somerset

I have been working with Steve over the last 6 months and would definitely recommend him to coach you.  Steve’s open and honest approach, along with his fantastic sense of humour really added to our sessions.

His ability to grasp the complexities of the situation that you are working within and the trials that we often face are immense and have really supported me through some demanding and challenging times to get to a place where I truly understand my own strengths and weakness and can adapt to the situations I encounter. 

I now am clear about my own expectations; I learned a lot about myself and admittedly it was not always easy.

There were some difficult conversations/ challenges to overcome, yet Steve handled those sessions face-on but with kindness, compassion and sensitivity.

Michelle Ford, Chief Executive, FCS Talking Therapies

Steve Allman facilitated our Strategic Away Day in December 2023 at a time where the organisation had faced some real challenges across its governance and finance.

The focus was tailored entirely to our needs and Steve brought a sense of calm, focus and fun to the day which allowed us to critically think about our vision for the remainder of our new strategic plan.

His facilitation style, in my opinion, really suited the room where we have incredibly dedicated and passionate trustees who can often veer of course in conversation. Steve allowed for this discussion time, but kept us on track so that we let’s the day coming out of it with what we had hoped for.

Steve offered very honest feedback after the session and concluded our outcomes to revisit in our 2024 board meetings which was very useful. I can’t recommend Steve enough for any away day facilitation. 5 stars from me!

Ryan Beasley, Executive Director, BELMAS

I reached out to Steve last year for coaching support, having caught my eye with his always-honest, often-brutal observations of leadership in the charity sector.  I’d recently finished my PG Cert and as part of the reflective practice element, had graduated with a ‘to do’ list for self-improvement, including the recognition that I had early signs of professional burn-out and felt a bit stuck in a rut, wondering ‘what’s next?’.  I was getting itchy feet to do more, not less. 

As it turned out, over the weeks that followed, we ended up ignoring this ’to do’ list.  Instead, we worked together to find the areas of work and home that gave me energy and help me to thrive, alongside having to do ‘business as usual’. 

Steve helped me to see (literally in my diary) there are only so many hours in the day, and that it is my right and within my gift to put some boundaries back in for things I enjoy.  Together, we uncovered the importance of creativity, being an advocate for causes I love, high levels of trust, responsibility and freedom, and time spent outdoors. 

I’m still learning, adjusting and certainly have blips and bumps in terms of priorities, but I very much value having this new list to return to, focused on my strengths and preferences, and not my weaknesses.

Kirsty Telford, Deputy Director, Ministry of Stories & Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Working with Steve is transformational!  Becoming CEO of a VCSE Sector infrastructure organisation at the beginning of the pandemic led to some complex issues and challenges.  

Coaching with Steve gave me the space for me to reflect, problem-solve and become confident in my abilities to lead the organisation.  The sessions were productive, thought-provoking and inspiring. 

Being an experienced VCSE Sector leader and ambassador, Steve intuitively knows the challenges faced by charity CEOs and helps them to reflect and see the significant impact they make.

Steve coaches with care, kindness and not a small amount of humour and role models positive behaviours.  He unlocks the potential in those he coaches leading to immediate results but also long-term change for individuals and, in turn, organisations.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Steve. Always a learning experience and our sessions leave a lasting impact for me both professionally and personally.

Maddy Sutcliffe, CEO, Nova Wakefield & District

It’s been great working with Steve and dedicating a supportive time to consider my leadership style, my impact and my development.

In the time I have worked with Steve as a coach my confidence has grown and I have been able to explore different elements of my leadership style, particularly as I consider my changing role into increasingly senior positions.

Our sessions are enjoyable and I never come away feeling Steve has told me the answer to any challenge I discuss, but rather he has helped me to find a resolution myself – and often it is purely giving me the confidence to go with the action I already know to be the right one.

I would definitely recommend Steve’s coaching and support for any aspiring leader.

Tom Abbott, Director of Income Generation, Havens Hospices

Steve Allman provided a valuable and impactful training day for We Too! SC045895. His friendly and warm style helped alleviate the team’s anxiety, enabling them to focus on the workshop tasks and achieve the objectives efficiently.

The abundance of usable information generated during the workshop empowered the Board of Trustees to strategize and address organisational challenges effectively.

Moreover, the realisation of the organisation’s achievements and impact, despite its size, serves as a testament to the effectiveness of Steve’s approach in fostering a positive and empowering environment.

I would positively recommend Steve’s services to help teams maximize their potential and celebrate their successes.

Tori Chamberlain, Chair, We Too!

Steve facilitated our board away day at North Kent Mind.  He delivered a dynamic, entertaining and thought-provoking day.  Steve gave his time before, during and after the day.  I felt it was of excellent value and our board came away with concrete actions and plans.  His facilitation is first class and Steve is a very likeable, approachable consultant, who makes people at all levels feel at ease.

Lindsey Stukalov-Stone, Chair, North Kent Mind

Steve was a sounding board for me when I was navigating some difficult decisions.  I appreciated being able to book a one off session, to sense check my thoughts with an experienced charity professional.  He gave clear, well thought out input and I found the process very helpful.

Sue Prytherch, Chair, SMART CJS

We recently worked with Steve to explore our ethical framework for fundraising and investment. It’s a potentially challenging topic so I felt a little trepidation but Steve immediately put me at ease.

After introducing the work to the Board he followed up with individual calls with each Trustee to explore their personal perspectives before facilitating a half day workshop to tease out any issues and develop a shared approach.

Steve’s style, use of humour and real world examples encouraged everyone to contribute, question and collaborate. He skilfully managed the workshop to help us reach a conclusion that everyone was comfortable with and both staff and Trustees enjoyed it.

Steve’s report was a focussed summary of what we’d agreed and we are now using it to build our policies and processes. He was a dream to work with and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Steve.

Kat Lee, CEO, Family Holiday Charity

As a new CEO of a charity I wanted coaching from someone who had walked in my shoes. Steve Allman’s approach to working with me was supportive, challenging and full of humour. It was a combination that helped me thrive. He helped me navigate the role and gave me the oxygen to keep going. Now I’m three years in my role and often still think “what would Steve say?”. Highly recommend him to anyone working in a leadership role in an NGO.

I got a huge amount from working with Steve and I’d recommend him to anyone, particularly if you are struggling to find the time to step back. Doing so really gave me the opportunity to get much better perspective both professionally and personally. Steve is really personable and easy to get along with, so it’s really worthwhile whether you’re looking at working with him over a short or longer period. He uses tools which you can put into practice in your every day work, so you can really feel the difference very quickly.

Daniel Marshall, Director of Business Development, Citizens Advice

If I had to sum up what Steve Allman gave me in one word, it’d be this: permission.

Over a 9 month journey, we unpicked the things that were holding me back in my business. In particular, my need to say yes… or more accurately, my inability to say no. With challenge, charm and cheesy jokes, we created a number of tools that I’m still using every day. I’m now properly assessing the opportunities and tasks ahead of me rather than keeping blindly busy – and that headspace is worth its weight in gold.

If you’re thinking of coaching to help you get out of your own way, Steve Allman is definitely worth a call.

I had the privilege of being coached by Steve Allman over 6 months during a time when I felt completely overwhelmed as a charity founder. I was stretched thin, struggling to manage my time, and unsure about my role within the organisation. Working with Steve was both enjoyable and refreshing. He brought clarity to my thoughts, gave me the confidence to pivot in a new direction, and, most importantly, helped me rediscover my own identity and purpose. I’m incredibly grateful for his guidance and support during such a pivotal time.

Steve Allman recently delivered an excellent second workshop for Greater Manchester Youth Federation. He is a fantastic facilitator and brought a great deal of experience, warmth and humour to our discussions. He knows when to challenge, when to encourage and when to have a break for a well-earned cuppa!

Steve is really enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the charity sector and is great at reading the room and getting the best out of people. Thanks Steve for your support, it was very much appreciated by all who attended.

Helen Robinson, Chair, Greater Manchester Youth Federation

Steve ran a great session on internal values and behaviour at our recent staff residential. He was highly professional and very personable from our first point of contact. He listened to what I thought we needed as an organisation, gave suggestions and guidance and shaped the session to achieve our desired outcomes. The session was relaxed, well-planned and extremely productive. Steve managed the room really well, keeping all 55 team members engaged (and smiling) during the 3-hour session. Feedback from staff has been very positive. I would definitely recommend Steve to other charities.

Kate Steele, Chief Executive, SHINE

Having read so many of Steve Allman’s witty yet ‘spot-on’ posts about all things charity, I felt that I had found the perfect coach for me. I have just completed six sessions with Steve and cannot thank him enough for the tools he has armed me with and the insights uncovered through our sessions.

There were tears and laughter, challenges and successes but ultimately I feel I have gained enormously and I am so glad I took the plunge and signed up. I will be back for more of Steve’s first class coaching in future I am sure and highly recommend him to any charity bods out there who need a helping hand.

Liz Harding, Chief Executive Officer, Hearts Together CIO