Testimonials
“I have known Dean for over 15 years and had the chance to work with him on a couple of occasions. He is a guy that has seen it, done it, been there before no matter what challenge or opportunity you face. He is able to make people feel safe, feel inspired, feel confident, feel Enlighted, Educated, Enriched and prepared for the future. Its all practical, all based on you, your needs and your situation. So, if you want a safe pair of hands to give you guidance, confidence, challenge and support as you navigate the difficulties in your career or life. Trust Dean.”
John Stubbington - Chief Executive Officer at Medicover Group
“Working with Dean has been incredibly valuable. His thoughtful observations and insightful questions consistently help me see things more clearly, challenge my assumptions, and navigate complex decisions with greater confidence. He creates the space for reflection while guiding me to reach my own conclusions, which has been key to my growth as a leader.”
Suk Nicholas - VP Global Consumer Products at Krispy Kreme
“Dean is an elite coach and demonstrates everything he coaches with his own values. I have been coached by Dean personally and utilised his skillset for members of my own team, and I have seen first-hand the positive and long-lasting impact this has made. Dean has a unique ability to stretch both individuals and businesses at the same time and I know many colleagues whose career has been significantly enhanced as a result of working with Dean”
Mat Pickering - Former UK Managing Director - Optegra Eye Health Care
“As a Director in Financial Services I have sought the support of Dean on many occasions to help develop my senior leadership teams. His unique style to embrace vulnerability as a strength and connect people together has ultimately created high performing teams. The impact of Dean on those individuals has been profound in their ability to grow their own careers and enjoy their own journey.”
Deborah Green - Chief Operating Officer - Evlo
“Dean has been an instrumental figure in my professional journey, and I am deeply grateful for the impact he has made during different stages of my career. Dean’s coaching was a game-changer—he has an exceptional ability to unlock potential, challenge perspectives, and guide people toward achieving their best. His work helped me shape my approach to business, and most importantly how to get the best out of people and teams. He set me on the path to where I am today. Dean doesn’t just coach; he empowers you to have different ways of thinking, helping evolve the way you interact with the environment and people around you. His ability to ask the right questions and provide actionable advice gave me the confidence to overcome challenges with clarity and purpose. Even now, those lessons influence how I lead at John Good Group, where people, planet, and performance are at the heart of everything we do. It’s also great to see Dean work with members of my team today. His guidance is helping them grow individually and professionally, just as he did for me. The results are already evident in their confidence, decision-making, and overall performance. Thank you, Dean!”
Adam Walsh - Group CEO - John Good Group
“I have worked with Dean on a 1-2-1 basis for many years and his ability to improve my thinking has helped me achieve better outcomes consistently. Dean has an excellent ability to focus the mind, challenge in a very constructive way and to hold people to account. Dean has a very engaging style and is someone whose results I can attest to with leadership teams as well as on an individual basis.”
Greg Phillips - Managing Director - Deeset
“Working with Dean has been a transformative experience for our Senior Leadership Executive Committee. His ability to challenge thinking, foster self-awareness, and create space for authentic leadership has added real value to our individual and collective development.”
Liam Scully - CEO - Lincoln City Football Club
“I started working with Dean back in 2007, at a time when my 35-year-old self categorically believed that he didn’t need a Business Coach! The fact that 19 years later, I am still working with Dean is testament to just how wrong I was! Since Portland was set-up in 2009, Dean has coached and mentored all of our staff through various group and 1:1 sessions. His interaction and engagement with our Managers and in particular our young, “rising stars”, has been transformative to our business. In my opinion, Dean’s ability to cut through the “noise” and focus on the developmental issues that matter in a fast-growing business, makes him unique as a business coach.”
James Spencer - Managing Director - Portland Fuel
“I have had the privilege of working with Dean for over 10 years, and that longevity alone speaks volumes. Throughout this time, Dean has been an exceptional group coach, individual coach, and a trusted speaker at our annual leadership conference. His ability to read the room, build trust, and empower teams at all levels to reach their full potential is truly remarkable. What sets Dean apart is his honesty, clarity, and focus. He speaks to be understood, ensuring that his message resonates with everyone, regardless of their role or experience. I am consistently impressed by how simple, yet impactful and consistent his approach is. Dean has also introduced us to a few simple but powerful tools that have now become a common language for leaders across our organisation. These tools have not only enhanced communication but also strengthened our leadership culture at every level. Working with Dean has been transformative, and I am incredibly grateful for the positive impact he has had on our teams and our organisation. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to develop leaders, foster trust, and drive lasting change.”
Simone Carter - UK CEO - N Family Club
“As a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Welsh Gymnastics, Dean brought invaluable perspective, encouraging us to pause and consider the cultural impact of our decisions. His insights challenged us to balance financial sustainability with our commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing environment where people can thrive.”
Victoria Ward - Chief Executive - Welsh Gymnastics
“Working with Dean had a significant impact on me and my executive team. He challenged us, held us to account, and helped develop a culture of self-starters across our wider management team. His coaching brought real clarity and impact, making a lasting difference to how we lead. I highly recommend him to any senior team looking to improve their performance.”
Emma Palmer - Chief Executive - Eastlight Community Homes Ltd
“Working with Dean has seen a big impact for the business. His insights, strategies, and tailored guidance have not only helped the team overcome challenges but also empowered them to achieve their goals with confidence. His ability to inspire action and drive results is truly remarkable. I highly recommend Dean to anyone looking to unlock their full potential!”
Dr Mike Gregson PhD, MA, FCIPD, Cmgr FCMI, FinstLM, FHEA, CSSBB, RCC - Managing Director - Gloucestershire Managed Services
“Thanks to Dean, I’ve seen a significant increase in team efficiency. His insights and practical advice were instrumental in driving revenue growth. I’m incredibly grateful for his support!”
Sandrine Desbarbieux-Lloyd - Global CMO - Ex-Meta / ex-Samsung
“I have been working with Dean for the last 8 years and he has been absolutely key in helping me shape and deliver numerous key strategic projects. He is a pleasure to work with, always offering advice, support and will challenge my thinking to help see things through a different lens. Great fun and a pleasure to spend time with.”
Kate Mellor - Head of Learning & Development - Boehringer Ingelheim
“Dean has been a valuable sounding board during a pivotal time in my career. His ability to listen, challenge assumptions, and bring clarity to complex situations has made a real difference.”
Alex Corrigan - Managing Director - CMB Tech









































