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.

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

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

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

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 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 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 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’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”

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’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

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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’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

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’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

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 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 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