Helping charity leaders survive and thrive

Practical, action-focused coaching and mentoring for every type of charity leader.
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I support charity leaders with a unique blend of coaching, mentoring, confidential support and practical, real-world advice drawn from 30 years experience of leading and developing charity people, boards and teams.

This is more than coaching.  It’s the 1:1 you won’t get anywhere else.  It’s space to think clearly, make tough decisions and navigate the complex, human side of charity life – the stuff you can’t always explore with your team or your board.

My approach is practical, down to earth and even humorous – whatever it takes to help you lead well, protect your energy and help your charity make an impact.

Hi, I'm Steve Allman

For 30 years, I’ve worked at every level of the sector from volunteer through to CEO, Chair and Trustee and, since 2012, supported charities as a consultant.  I completed my coaching certification in 2020 and have since coached over 100 people in charity roles for over 1000 hours, including CEOs, Chairs, Directors, Managers and others working hard to make a positive impact.

Steve Allman | Charity Coach & Consultant

How coaching can help you in your charity role

Coaching helps you find clarity by giving you space to stop and think, find solutions for your charity challenges or work towards your personal goals.

Some challenges are organisational; motivating teams, improving performance, managing conflict, building effective boards or developing strategy.

Some are personal; overcoming perfectionism or procrastination, leading with authenticity, building confidence and developing a better work/life balance.

Ready to find out more?

If you’d like to see my most popular coaching packages, fees, payment options and “anytime refund” policy, tap here or tap the button to view your options.

Vicky Friis, CEO, Vale Domestic Abuse Support Service

Vicky Friis, Chief Executive Officer, Vale Domestic Abuse Services

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...
Simon Trower, Founder, Brave Mind Mental Health Charity

Simon Trower, Founder, Brave Mind Mental Health Charity

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...
Phillip Morrison-Gale, Chief Executive, Cill Dara Housing Association

Phillip Morrison-Gale, Chief Executive, Cill Dara Housing Association

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

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

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...
Matt Wynes, Director of Fundraising, Myeloma UK

Matt Wynes, Director of Fundraising, Myeloma UK

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...
Steve Smith FRSA, Chief Executive, Havens Hospices

Steve Smith FRSA, Chief Executive, Havens Hospices

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

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

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,...
Samantha Leahy-Harland, CEO, Student's Union Bournemouth University

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

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...
Photo of Libby Herbert, CEO, Colostomy UK

Libby Herbert, Chief Executive, Colostomy UK

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...
Michelle Ford, CEO, FCS Talking Therapies

Michelle Ford, Chief Executive, FCS Talking Therapies

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

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

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...
Nicola Byrne, CEO, Shine

Nicola Byrne, CEO, Shine

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...
Headshot of Mandy Mahil, Chief Operating Officer, BUD Leadership

Mandy Mahil, Chief Operating Officer, BUD Leaders

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...
Gavin Stone, CEO, 4YP

Gavin Stone, Chief Executive, 4YP

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...
Julie Jenner, Media Manager, Sightsavers

Julie Jenner, Media Manager, Sightsavers

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

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

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...
Chris Paul, Founder & CEO, Man On Inverclyde

Chris Paul, Founder & CEO, Man On Inverclyde

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....
Profile Photo of Joanne Jopling, CEO, Young Women's Outreach Project

Joanne Jopling, CEO, Young Women’s Outreach Project

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...
Stella Diamant, Director, The Madagascar Whale Shark Project

Stella Diamant, Director, The Madagascar Whale Shark Project

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...
Daniel Marshall, Director of Business Development, Citizens Advice

Daniel Marshall, Director of Business Development, Citizens Advice

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...
Neil Plimmer, Coach & Director, Jolf

Neil Plimmer, Coach & Director, Jolf

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...
Dee Fraser, Chief Executive, Iriss

Dee Fraser, Chief Executive, Iriss

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...
Karen Robson, CEO, The Care Collective

Karen Robson, CEO, The Care Collective

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....
Sarah Blunden, Chair, Norfolk Community Law Service

Sarah Blunden, Chair, Norfolk Community Law Service

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...
Lauren Williams, CEO, Vision North Somerset

Lauren Williams, Chief Executive, Vision North Somerset

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...
Headshot of Steve McClure, Head of Facilities, Havens Hospices

Steve McClure, Head of Facilities, Havens Hospices

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,...
Janet Meehan, Partnerships & Development Manager at The Carers Trust

Janet Meehan, Partnerships & Development Manager, Carers Trust

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...
Profile photo of Liz Harding, Chief Executive Officer, Hearts Together CIO

Liz Harding, Chief Executive Officer, Hearts Together CIO

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...
Andy King, Director, Fireside Fundraising

Andy King, Director, Fireside Fundraising

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,...
Maddy Sutcliffe, Chief Executive, NOVA Wakefield

Maddy Sutcliffe, CEO, Nova Wakefield & District

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...
Bethany Gallichan, CEO, Association of Jersey Charities

Bethany Gallichan, CEO, Association of Jersey Charities

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...
Tom Abbott, Director of Income Generation, Havens Hospice

Tom Abbott, Director of Income Generation, Havens Hospices

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...
Graeme Reekie, Charity Consultant, Author of "Lasting Difference" book and toolkit

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

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...
Paul Brackley, Project Manager, Richard Whitehead Foundation

Paul Brackley, Richard Whitehead Foundation

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...
Photo of Lucie Muir, CEO, Wildscreen

Lucie Muir, CEO, Wildscreen

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...
Paul Axon, Chief Executive, Positive Steps

Paul Axon, Chief Executive, Positive Steps

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...

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