I initially came to Duncan for career coaching, hoping to get clarity around my next step professionally. What I didn’t expect was how much the sessions would help me understand the bigger picture of what was really going on for me. Through our conversations, I began to see how grief had been woven into my thinking, my confidence and the way I was approaching decisions about my future. Duncan helped me explore that with care, without forcing it or making the sessions feel heavy. What I found most valuable was his ability to help me look at things holistically. Rather than separating my career, emotions, confidence and personal experiences into different boxes, he helped me understand how connected they all were. The coaching gave me space to think properly, make sense of myself more clearly and move forward with greater awareness and confidence. Duncan asked thoughtful questions, listened deeply and helped me see things I had not fully recognised on my own. I would highly recommend Duncan to anyone who is at a crossroads, especially if they feel there may be more beneath the surface than just a practical decision to make.

“Working with Duncan has been a genuinely valuable part of my development over the past year. I was already leading the business, but the reality was I was doing it under increasing pressure — navigating the EOT, governance changes, shareholder dynamics, and a growing operation that needed more structure and discipline. What Duncan helped me do was cement how I show up as a leader. He brings a level of clarity and challenge that’s hard to find. He doesn’t overcomplicate things, but he also doesn’t let you sit comfortably in your own thinking. The conversations we’ve had have consistently pushed me to step back, assess properly, and make decisions with more confidence and intent. Where the impact has really shown is in how I lead day to day. I’m more structured, more deliberate, and far clearer on what the business needs from me. Difficult conversations are handled better, decisions are made faster, and there’s a stronger sense of direction across the team. Duncan understands both the commercial realities of running a business and the human side of leadership. That balance is what makes the difference. If you’re already operating at a good level but want to become more consistent, more disciplined, and more effective as a leader, I’d highly recommend working with him.”

“When I started working with Duncan, I felt stuck in a constant internal conflict — part of me knew what I wanted, but another part kept holding me back. I was overthinking decisions and second-guessing myself, which made it hard to move forward. One of the biggest breakthroughs in our sessions was realising that I was waiting for permission — from others, from circumstances — instead of giving it to myself. That shift alone changed everything. Duncan has a way of creating space where you can be completely honest, and then asking the questions that really make you stop and think. It’s not forced, but it’s powerful. Since then, I’ve moved forward with far more clarity and confidence. I trust my decisions, I feel more aligned with what I actually want, and I’m no longer stuck in that cycle of doubt.”

“Before working with Duncan, I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. I constantly questioned myself and felt like I was waiting to be ‘found out’, even when I was doing well. In one of our sessions, he helped me see just how much of that was coming from my own internal narrative rather than reality — and that was a real turning point. It gave me the space to step back and actually recognise my strengths. Duncan has a way of asking questions that cut through the noise and bring real clarity. It’s not about being told what to do — it’s about seeing things differently for yourself. Since coaching, I feel more confident in who I am and how I show up. I’m making decisions with far more clarity and backing myself in a way I never did before.”

"Engaging with Duncan has been one of the most important decisions I’ve made for both my business and myself. When we started, I had the skills, the work ethic, and the demand — but everything felt chaotic. I was busy all the time, constantly reacting, and although money was coming in, it didn’t feel controlled or sustainable. The business was running me. What Duncan has helped me do is step back and actually build a business properly. He hasn’t filled my head with theory — he’s brought structure, clarity, and discipline into how I operate day to day. From tightening up how I quote and communicate with clients, to helping me understand my numbers, pricing properly, and putting real systems into the workshop — everything now feels more intentional. One of the biggest shifts has been in how I think. I don’t jump at everything anymore. I’m clearer on the type of work I want, the clients I want to work with, and how the business needs to run to support that. That’s reduced stress massively, both at work and at home. I’m more confident in my decisions, more in control of my time, and the business feels like it’s moving forward rather than just keeping me busy. Duncan has a way of cutting through the noise and telling you what you need to hear — but in a way that makes you step up rather than feel criticised. He holds you accountable, but backs you at the same time. The biggest thing I’d say is this — I’m no longer just a craftsman doing jobs. I’m building a proper business. And for the first time, I can genuinely see how this gets to consistent £20k months and beyond."

Duncan's input has been far more valuable than simply receiving a business strategy. He took the time to properly understand Fusion, not just from my perspective, but through conversations with the wider leadership team, a review of how the business currently operates, where the pressure points are and what will be required if we are going to grow without losing what makes Fusion special. One of Duncan’s biggest strengths is his ability to see the business and the person behind it at the same time. He challenged me to think more clearly about my role as Fusion grows, particularly the transition from being involved in everything to becoming the owner and leader the next stage of the business requires. The process helped bring clarity to areas including leadership, accountability, team structure, future sites, commercial priorities, culture and the systems we need to build a stronger and more repeatable business. It also helped me look more honestly at where I need to step back, where I need to provide greater direction and where I need to allow other people to take ownership and develop. Duncan does not come in with generic answers or try to impose a formula. He listens, asks difficult questions and is prepared to challenge your thinking, but he does it in a way that is supportive, practical and focused on what is right for you and the business. The strategic blueprint he produced has given me a clear North Star for Fusion and a much stronger framework for the decisions ahead. More importantly, the work has helped me think differently about the business we are building, the team we need around us and the type of leader I need to become. I would highly recommend Duncan to any business owner who wants more than surface-level advice and is prepared to think seriously about the future of their business. Dan Jackson Founder, Fusion Gym

“Working with Duncan has been the best decision I’ve made for my clinic and myself. Together we rebranded, relocated, and opened a beautiful new clinic. I now have structure in my operations, clear financial processes, and strategies that doubled my turnover. Staffing challenges are solved, my goals are set, and I feel empowered and confident as a business owner. He is not just a coach, but a mentor and trusted confidant who has truly transformed both my business and my life.”

Working with Duncan has been a turning point for me and Kaizen Medical. We rebranded the clinic and put the right systems and processes in place, which gave me the confidence to step out of just being an owner-operator and start running a proper business. Duncan helped me resolve HR challenges, bring structure into the team, and separate myself from the day-to-day so I could focus on leading and growing. The support, mentorship, and accountability have been exactly what I needed to make that shift. I now feel more in control, more confident, and proud of the business Kaizen Medical has become."

Duncan produced a full business review and it was enlightening for me. What stood out straight away was his ability to cut through the noise and get to the reality of the business. He didn’t just look at the surface — he got underneath how I was operating, how the business was structured, and where I was unintentionally holding it back. The review itself was incredibly detailed but, more importantly, it was usable. It highlighted things I’d been avoiding or hadn’t fully seen — particularly around commercial structure, recurring revenue, and how I was valuing my time and services. It gave me clarity on where the business actually sits, not where I thought it was. Duncan has a way of challenging you without knocking your confidence. He helped me recognise that the foundations of IT Squad are strong — good clients, recurring income, and a solid reputation — but also made it clear that without better structure, pricing discipline, and a more commercial mindset, growth would always be harder than it needs to be. Since the review, I’ve started to think differently as a business owner. I’m more focused on building something scalable rather than just delivering work, and I’m making decisions with more intent rather than reacting day to day. If you want someone who will genuinely help you see your business clearly, challenge your thinking, and give you practical direction on how to improve — Duncan is exactly that

Before we started, I knew I was good at what I did, but I wasn’t fully owning it. I was holding back, overthinking decisions, and letting self-doubt dictate my pace. Duncan has this way of cutting through the noise and helping you see things clearly — both practically and personally — without ever making you feel judged. Over the time we’ve worked together, my business has grown significantly, but more importantly, I’ve grown into it. I’m more structured, more consistent, and far more confident in my ability. I make decisions quicker, I trust my instincts, and I no longer hide behind perfectionism or hesitation. One of the biggest shifts has been how I value myself and my work. Duncan challenged me to step into that properly — from how I package my services to how I show up in my marketing — and that’s had a direct impact on my revenue and the type of clients I now attract. What sets Duncan apart is that he doesn’t just focus on strategy — he works with you as a person. He understands the internal blocks as much as the business ones, and he holds you accountable in a way that feels supportive but also pushes you forward. Even during times where I could have easily fallen off track, I didn’t — and that’s down to the structure and mindset we’ve built together. I feel more in control of my business than I ever have. If you’re serious about growing — and you’re ready to be honest with yourself — working with Duncan is a game changer.”

"Working with Duncan has been hugely valuable for me, both professionally and personally. He’s been a consistent sounding board across a wide range of challenges, from business strategy through to day-to-day decision making. What sets Duncan apart is his ability to cut through noise and bring real clarity. He doesn’t just listen — he challenges your thinking in the right way, helping you see situations from a different perspective and make better, more considered decisions. There have been multiple moments where I’ve felt stuck or unsure on direction, and through our conversations, Duncan has helped me step back, refocus, and move forward with confidence. His insight is practical, grounded, and always relevant to the realities of running a business. If you’re looking for someone who can provide honest input, strategic perspective, and genuine support as you navigate growth and decision making, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him."

“Having Duncan working with BMA has brought a level of structure, clarity and accountability that Be More Athlete genuinely needed. He took the time to understand the business, the people involved and what makes BMA different. He has helped me step back from the day-to-day pressures, look at the business more objectively and make clearer decisions about our finances, membership growth, team responsibilities and the direction we want to take. Duncan is supportive, but he is also prepared to challenge me and have the difficult conversations when they are needed. He does not just give generic advice; he gets involved, asks the right questions and helps turn ideas into clear actions. We have worked through a period of significant change, and Duncan’s experience and perspective have helped us create greater stability while protecting the culture and community that are at the heart of BMA. I would recommend Duncan to any business owner who feels too close to the day-to-day operation and needs an honest, practical and commercially focused person in their corner.” Alex Denney Founder, Be More Athlete