Welcome

Changes to £1000 LMAS grant

16th September 2011
Subtle changes have taken place to the Leadership and Management Advisory Service grant since the current scheme started in April. This has come about as the teams deal with live applications. The grant is for leaders of businesses, social enterprises and charities. Do you qualify now? Find out here: Government Grant.

Site redevelopment
26th August 2011
New content has arrived on this site. Apologies for any problems such as broken links while we finish off!

Appointment as "High Growth" coach
18th July 2011
Our lead coach, Richard Hovey, has been appointed as a coach for high growth organisations under the government's latest grant awarding scheme. Although much of Richard's coaching has been done as part of government grant schemes, to help business leaders to achieve the results that they seek, the latest government initiative required the selection of coaches who have the right background, experience and skill to work with businesses and social enterprises who are seeking rapid growth.

New resources added to Finding True North website
11th June 2011
We've added short videos to the website. Click on the links here, or go to the info zone. How to choose a coach / how to choose a mentor. How to start a business / should I start my own business? Five ways to develop your business or career without really trying.

Delivering coaching to Bible Society in Swindon
8th June 2011
Today, Finding True North continued to deliver half-hour coaching sessions for employees of Bible Society, with the Swindon Coaching Team. For convenience these sessions are held during and after the lunch period and there is no cost to those taking part. This is part of an ongoing programme to help staff to deal with work or personal matters in a structured and effective way which benefits them directly and also benefits the organisation through their increased enjoyment and effectiveness in the workplace!

Richard appointed as Chair of Swindon Coaching Team
23rd March 2011
Richard Hovey, our Managing Director and Lead Coach, has been appointed as Chair of the Swindon Coaching Team.

Case Studies published
18th February 2011
See Info Zone for details of coaching and training work that we have completed for directors of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Clear Vision Accountancy Group.

Finding True North exhibit at Swindon Business Show
1st February 2011
Finding True North will exhbit at the Swindon Business Show in Swindon on 10th February, with the Swindon Coaching Team (Stand 24).

Corsham Chamber of Commerce appoints Finding True North
10th December 2010
Richard Hovey, Managing Director of Finding True North, has been appointed as Vice President of Corsham Chamber of Commerce, part of the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce.

Happy Christmas to all our customers!
6th December 2010
Happy Christmas! (Follow the link.)

Further work from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
24th September 2010
We're pleased to have started work as a result of a further invitation from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to offer leadership training. On this occasion the training comprises a series of sessions for staff newly promoted to line management positions. We use a mixture of teaching input and coaching to provide apppropriate theory and practice and to help to embed the learning and equip them for their new roles.

Morris Owen take on Finding True North coaching with Train to Gain grant support
13th September 2010
Finding True North are pleased to welcome Morris Owen accountants of Swindon as clients. They have sought support from Train to Gain to provide coaching for a recently promoted partner, and we are providing our Leader Accelerator programme of leadership development coaching over a six month period to develop particular skills.

Two new clients
7th July 2010
Finding True North welcome as coaching clients two businesses in South West England, as their directors seek to find new ways forward and become more profitable. Top Height Training Ltd are based in Bristol and provide compulsory and related training for workers in the construction industry who are working at height. Colin Harrison Design Ltd, based in Melksham, provide graphic design for business - whether web-based or on paper.

Colin Harrison writes: 'Having worked together now for a couple of months... I find I'm viewing things from a totally different perspective and... focus and direction are returning. I have no hesitation in recommending "Finding True North" to anybody seeking that extra bit of help and guidance for business and also personal improvement.'

Both organisations are benefitting from grants from Train To Gain's Leadership and Management Advisory Service. Contact us for more information about coaching or government funding.

Swindon Coaching Team second event
18th May 2010
Finding True North are founder members of the Swindon Coaching Team, seeking to make coaching more accessible in the Swindon area through "drop-in" events including free taster sessions. More here.

Coaching discussion on Swindon Radio
10th May 2010
Richard Hovey will be interviewed tonight in the business programme of Swindon Radio 105.5, talking about the benefits and methods of coaching, and development of coaching in the Swindon area. More here.

Employment Law changes
23rd March 2010
Significant changes are taking place in UK employment law, which mean that employers' procedures for dismissal, employee grievances, equality, parental rights, etc. will need to be brought up to date before April. See the Finding True North blog for an overview, and obtain more details as you need them.

Finding True North launch new newsletter
12th February 2010
We recognise that our work gives us an increasing body of knowledge of the information, skills, and resources that bring benefit to our clients. We are keen to share this, to benefit other individuals and organisations, through our new newsletter. People who are interested should click the link on our website.

New collaboration with Unlimited Potential
1st February 2010
Finding True North are collaborating with Unlimited Potential's team of coaches, as a way of providing increased coaching to a wider range of clients. Unlimited Potential have offices in the UK in London, Tunbridge Wells, and Kettering.

Interim Managment Work for Robin Hood Ministries
3rd December 2009
Finding True North's Richard Hovey was contracted as part time Interim CEO for charity Robin Hood Ministries in August to steer the organisation through its current phase of growth. One of the outcomes of this was the development of a new management team. With the appointment of a new CEO on 1st December, Richard is continuing his development work in a coaching role.

Coaching Training for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
8th August 2009
Finding True North have been asked by the trust to deliver three half days of training to ten of its managers so that they can use a coaching approach and skills with their staff to build build further the trust's innovative and entreprenerial culture. The course has already started, with an interval of a month betwen the sessions to give time to put new skills into practice and to bring case studies to future sessions for effective reflective learning. The training has been partly funded by the Leadership and Management Advisory Service of Train to Gain which exists to build leadership skills among leaders in business and charities. Finding True North are registered with them, so that coaching that we provide, as well as training, may be part-funded in that way. More information.

In a new development, Train to Gain are making funds available also for firms with less than five staff.

Leader Accelerator Launched
4th June 2009
The Leader Accelerator helps recently promoted directors and senior managers to fill skill gaps and rapidly ramp up to full effectiveness, thus bringing fast Return on Investment to their organisations. Through bespoke coaching, and some use of diagnostic tools, the Leader Accelerator allows leaders in business and charities to understand their strengths, character, and communication preferences – and develop their uniquely effective leadership style. More information here.

Finding True North launch seminar to turbocharge key staff
13th May 2009
Maximising profitability in the current economic climate requires fresh thinking and new ways of doing things. Key staff need to be equipped and supported to be more creative and innovative. While news media delight in broadcasting redundancy, leaders need to remain enthusiastic by being in touch with success, have the courage to take new initiatives rather than continue with previous methods that are no longer working, and foster this amongst their staff teams.

At this seminar meet business leaders will meet with fellow professionals to discover what methods are bringing success to firms at the moment and to explore fresh ways of supporting their key staff.

More information from the seminar website.

“I’m excited at the build up to this seminar,” says Richard Hovey. “In the current recession there are pressures on managers to be more cut-throat. However I believe that the organisations that emerge fittest from the current recession will be those that find ways to maintain and build supportive and creative relationships with their staff, suppliers, and customers. This seminar will provide a way to put that into practice.”

The seminar will take place on 16th June from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and bookings are being encour-aged particularly from Human Resources professionals and leaders who have responsibility for supporting key staff. For more information go to the seminar website.

Finding True North to provide coaching resources for SW firms
24th March 2009
Finding True North have joined consortium Western Consultants Group in order to add coaching resources to their impressive consultancy line up in support of private and public sector organisations in the south west of England.

£1000 grants available through partnership with Train to Gain
18th December 2008
Through their Leadership and Management Service, Finding True North are pleased to offer up to £1000 per organisation to develop the skills of leaders of UK businesses and charities. £30 million is presently available per year throughout the UK. At this time of economic uncertainty we are excited to be part of a programme to support and develop small businesses and charities. More information here.

New work for Gloucester Diocese
13th November 2008
Gloucester Diocese (Church of England) have invited us to use our coaching skills to help them review and focus on aspects of working relationships in leadership teams.

Finding True North joins local chambers of commerce
15th October 2008
In continuing to develop its commitment to a vision of using dynamic coaching to grow the local economy, build local businesses, and support those affected by the the current financial climate, Finding True North have joined the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce.

Work started with Baxter Europe CQA in Vienna
9th October 2008
The associateship with the Wilsher group has led to leadership training and coaching work at Baxter Healthcare's regional conference in Vienna this week. This will continue with ongoing group coaching of project teams.

Associateship formed with The Wilsher Group
6th August 2008
The Wilsher Group are a transformational training and coaching organisation who work with individuals, teams and organisations to clarify values, establish vision, and strengthen competencies. Linking with the Wilsher Group gives Finding True North access to additional resources to meet the needs of our clients.

Telephone Coaching now available
10th April 2008
In addition to face to face work Finding True North are now also offering coaching over the phone, typically for 30 to 45 minute sessions. This is not a "second best" solution for our clients as it often provides greater attention and clarity in the coaching relationship. Give it a try: phone us on 01249 712446.

PRW Communications become new Associates
20th January 2008
PRW Communications link up with Finding True North to provide PR and e-mail marketing resources to our clients.

Finding True North new headquarters
11th January 2008
Finding True North has contracted with Hartham Park for new office facilites. This provides a prestigious location close to the M4 motorway, but in attractive Wiltshire surroundings, as a comfortable base for coaching and consultancy work. Close to Chippenham, we continue to be based near Bath, between Bristol and Swindon.

SIMA Licence awarded 
2nd November 2007
Finding True North are now licensed to provide SIMA™ Who do you think you are coaching, following a training event with SIMA (UK) in Oxford. This gives us additional ways to help organisations and staff to better understand individuals' motivated abilities and preferred ways of working - to make better use of talent, help teams to work together, and achieve organisational goals.