Meet the team

Nick Gowens

Nick is a management professional and analytics expert with over 30 years experience in the retail IT and Analytics, leisure, food service and shopping centre industries. Throughout his career, he has consistently surpassed revenue and profit targets across the retail landscape, identifying new commercial opportunities, developing powerful information-driven sales and marketing strategies and implementing strong financial management.

Nick has moved into the coaching world to help others where he once was. He is passionate about using his business pedigree to enable owners of businesses of any size to unlock their potential. Nick’s approach is one that’s highly collaborative with his clients, allowing them to grow in a supported environment.

Brad Sugars is the Founder, Chairman and President of ActionCOACH, the world’s number one business coaching firm with more than 1,000 offices in 50 countries. Not only did he guide the company to new levels of growth over the past several years, he also set direction in terms of vision and strategy for ActionCOACH worldwide. He is also responsible for the company’s culture – enrolling and inspiring the entire ActionCOACH team to live and abide by our 14 Points of Culture, guidelines that help set ActionCOACH apart as a company and that truly make it the world’s leading business coaching firm.

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
The people and the difference our team makes.

Tell us something interesting about yourself:
I played Perchik in Fiddler on The Roof at The Basildon Towngate Theatre in 1997, everything since has been easier!

What are your favourite past times?
Being with our girls, tennis and cricket

What are your top three 14 points of culture?
Commitment – there’s a reason why it’s number 1, followed by Teamwork and Fun for obvious reasons.

What’s your favourite quote?
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – Jim Rohn

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
For me it’s all about making a difference, before developing the UK franchise with Ian, I was a coach myself and I love seeing the benefit that coaching can bring to businesses and owners and their families.

Tell us something interesting about yourself:
It was an honour to be invited on the Millionaire Panel at the UK launch of the movie ‘Think + Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill.

What are your favourite pastimes?
I love travelling with my family and friends and I am an avid Amazon shopper.

Favourite holiday destination?
St Lucia or New York

What are your top three 14 points of culture?
Fun, Team Work and Systems

After a career in athletics, James moved into coaching in 2003, taking a role as Head of High Performance Coach at the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University. From then he set up his own coaching consultancy before moving to ActionCOACH in 2006 as the UK Managing Director.

He now has more than 20 years’ coaching experience with clients including Olympic and world-class athletes, C-suite and high-level corporates, business coaches and SME business owners.

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
The people, the abundance, the drive to change and challenge the status quo.

Tell us something interesting about yourself…
My first public speaking engagement was at the White House in front of President Gerald Ford (I am ancient…)

What are your favourite pastimes?
Cooking, gardening, walking, cycling, going to festivals and concerts.

Favourite holiday destination…
Slovenia

What are you top three 14 points of culture?
Integrity, Ownership and Commitment.

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
Since I joined I’ve been introduced to hugely influential and successful people who I’ve taken so much from. I’ve overcome personal demons and felt supported every step of the way. I’ve also cultivated relationships which I’m sure will be a huge part of my life for the long run!

Tell us something interesting about yourself:
I can play 7 musical instruments and also I can do incredible things with a teapot and some bath salts (Ask Julie!)… My Great Uncle (Jack Rowley) is the 4th highest top scorer ever for Manchester United behind Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law.

What are your favourite pastimes?
Performing & watching live music and attending the Theatre of Dreams at the weekend! (should I have put something about my partner here?…)

Favourite holiday destination?
Orlando , Florida! No Question.

What are your top three 14 points of culture?
Fun – Because who wants to be anything else?!
Balance – Everything has a balance and finding the right balance for yourself is critical to happiness and success.
Gratitude – Too many of us humans are never appreciative of “our lot” it’s great to strive for more and something that I’d advise everybody to do! However , it’s equally as important to appreciate the things that we already have/have achieved as they are ultimately what made you the person you are today!

Favourite Quote?
“No amount of money ever bought a second of time” Tony Stark

Laura heads up the marketing at Action COACH UK and is responsible for helping the 170 franchise partners market their business, as well as for annual big-ticket projects such as the Client Satisfaction Survey and The Business Excellence Forum & Awards. For the upcoming awards ceremony, Laura has secured Sir Bob Geldoff and Dame Kelly Holmes at previous events.

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
We have an incredible team that gels well together even with our coaches that are spread out all over the country. Hearing client success stories and how they’re able to take their business to the next level is also satisfying to hear.

Tell us something interesting about yourself:
I can drift a car sideways if that’s interesting enough?

What are your favourite pastimes?
Motivational videos, going on long drives and working out.

Favourite holiday destination?
Far too many to list!

What’s your favourite quote?
“There’s a difference in thinking you are a champion and knowing that you are.”
― Matthew McConaughey

Why do you love working for ActionCOACH?
I think the best thing about working for ActionCOACH has got to be the education! I’m lucky enough to travel all around the UK filming client growth stories every week. Everywhere I travel, I learn something new and exciting that helps my own career development in many different ways!

Tell us something interesting about yourself:
One day I want to win an award at BEF with my own successful photography and video company. With help of course from my very own ActionCOACH.

What are your favourite pastime?
I love spending time with my family and friends or relaxing at home with my girlfriend. I’m also obsessed with going abroad and travelling! I love meeting new people from different cultures along the way and documenting all of it through my love of photography and video!

Favourite holiday destination:
I think Phong Nha in Vietnam is the most beautiful and exciting place I have ever been to! So far…

What are your top three 14 points of culture?
Commitment, Team Work and Fun

What’s your favourite quote?
‘In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity’