Dorset’s business community is thriving, and many local entrepreneurs are turning to experienced business coaches to help drive growth and navigate challenges. The county boasts a range of coaching experts specialising in everything from scaling up operations and leadership development to strategic planning and financial performance. In this blog, we highlight Dorset’s top 10 business coaches – profiling their backgrounds, coaching philosophies, areas of expertise, and how they help businesses succeed. Whether you’re aiming to boost profits, improve leadership skills, or plan a successful exit, these Dorset-based coaches offer valuable guidance (with links to their websites or profiles for more information). Let’s dive into Dorset’s finest, with Simon Ellson leading the pack at #1.
01. Luke Webb – Performance Coach with Leadership & Well-Being Focus
Luke Webb is a performance and leadership coach from Bridport, Dorset, who merges professional coaching with a deep understanding of mental health and youth development. With 14 years of experience supporting individuals in mental health services, Luke has specialised skills in managing risk and building resilience, particularly for those in challenging care and educational settings. He now uses that expertise to coach business professionals and teams, often in the health and social care sector, to enhance their leadership abilities and personal development. Luke offers services like a 360° leadership and management review, which is a comprehensive assessment tool to gather feedback from an individual’s team and colleagues, pinpointing strengths and areas for growth. This kind of structured, evidence-based approach reflects Luke’s belief in combining reflection with action.
As a coach, Luke Webb is very person-centred and empathetic. He leverages techniques such as reflective questioning and appreciative inquiry to help clients unlock their full potential. Leaders who work with Luke often learn how to better handle pressure, communicate with clarity, and create supportive environments for their teams. Given his background, Luke is also adept at coaching clients through stress and burnout prevention, ensuring that growing a business doesn’t come at the expense of one’s mental health. He has a passion for supporting young leaders and new managers, guiding them to develop confidence and effective decision-making early in their careers. Luke’s unique niche has been working with organisations that deal with young people and high-stakes situations (for example, helping a charity’s team learn to cope with teen mental health crises).
The result is a coach who not only focuses on business outcomes but also on the well-being and growth of the individual. Dorset clients value Luke for his grounded, encouraging presence – he knows when to listen, when to challenge, and how to inspire personal growth even in the face of adversity. If you are looking for a coach who can boost your leadership skills while keeping you resilient and balanced, Luke Webb is a fantastic choice.
2. Clare Fielder – Small Business Digital Coach & Brand Strategist
Clare Fielder, founder of The Pistachio Club, is a Bournemouth-based coach who specialises in helping small business owners (especially creative and female entrepreneurs) build customer-focused brands and digital strategies. Clare’s background is rooted in big business: she left a successful corporate career where she spent over 15 years helping global brands like Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, and Danone grow and expand.During those years she honed deep expertise in buyer psychology, customer journeys, product positioning and pricing strategies.
Now, she brings that wealth of marketing knowledge to Dorset’s independent business scene. As a small business digital coach and web designer, Clare guides entrepreneurs on how to translate their passion into an impactful online presence and profitable business model Clare’s approach is very hands-on and tailored. She understands that many small business owners are experts in their craft but need support in areas like branding, e-commerce, and online marketing. Through one-on-one coaching, she helps clients clarify their unique message, identify their ideal customers, and create thoughtfully designed offers (and websites) that attract those clients. Her style blends creativity with data-driven insight – a reflection of her values of innovation and positivity. For instance, Clare might analyse a client’s sales funnel metrics while also brainstorming creative content that resonates emotionally with their audience. She is also a big believer in work-life balance and often encourages entrepreneurs to incorporate the inspiring Dorset coastal lifestyle (she herself finds inspiration in “fresh sea air and walks along the beach”) into their routine for better creativity and well-being. Under Clare’s guidance, business owners learn to think like their customers and make strategic tweaks that lead to real growth, whether that’s increasing online sales, growing social media presence, or launching a new service successfully. If your goal is to strengthen your brand and digital strategy with an expert who’s helped some of the world’s biggest brands, Clare Fielder is an excellent resource in Dorset.
3. Kelly Keating – Executive Coach for Authentic Leadership & Transitions
Kelly Keating is a Bournemouth-based Executive and Leadership Coach with an impressive corporate pedigree. She is an ICF ACC certified coach (credentialed by the International Coaching Federation) and a seasoned change management practitioner. Kelly amassed 25 years of experience in global organisations – including leadership roles in marketing, operations, and technology at JP Morgan Chase and at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Poole. This blend of financial services and non-profit leadership experience gives Kelly a broad perspective on organisational dynamics. Now, as a coach and facilitator (and also serving as a Non-Executive Director), she specialises in helping professionals navigate major career and life transitions. Whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role, seeking a better work-life balance, preparing for retirement, or returning to work after a break, Kelly provides the structured support and insight to make those transitions successful.
Kelly’s coaching style is often praised for being compassionate yet challenging. She creates a safe space for clients to reflect deeply on their goals and obstacles, while also employing academic rigor and coaching tools to drive progress. Self-awareness is a cornerstone of her approach – Kelly believes that understanding one’s values, strengths, and blind spots is key to authentic leadership. Clients who work with Kelly report gains in confidence, clarity of direction, and tangible leadership skills. For example, she has helped clients obtain promotions, switch careers successfully, and increase their performance by reframing limiting beliefs. A hallmark of Kelly’s sessions is her ability to energise and refocus individuals who feel stuck or overwhelmed. Drawing on techniques from appreciative inquiry to mindset coaching, she enables leaders to break out of “hamster wheel” thinking and see alternative solutions. Furthermore, Kelly extends her coaching to corporate teams, assisting organisations in improving employee engagement and preventing burnout through personal development programs. With her strong business acumen and people-centric approach, Kelly Keating is a go-to coach in Dorset for anyone looking to grow as a leader and make purposeful career moves.
4. Chantal Dempsey – Award-Winning High-Performance & Mindset Coach
Chantal Dempsey is an award-winning international coach based near the Dorset-Hampshire border (serving Bournemouth, Poole and beyond) who has a truly unique backstory. She began her career as a criminal profiler and intelligence analyst with the National Crime Agency, leading teams in high-pressure situations and developing deep expertise in human behaviour. Now, she has turned that experience towards helping individuals and executives unlock their full potential as a mindset and performance coach. Chantal holds the highest coaching qualifications – she’s a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), a Master Life Coach, a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and an EMCC-accredited coach. With this toolkit, she offers a wide array of coaching services covering confidence and self-esteem, stress and anxiety management, peak performance, leadership development, conflict resolution, and even starting a new business.
Clients often seek out Chantal for her expertise in mindset transformation. She is skilled at pinpointing the psychological barriers (fears, doubts, past trauma) that hold people back in business and life, and then employing techniques like NLP, cognitive therapy, and even EMDR to create rapid, lasting change. For business owners and leaders, Chantal’s coaching can lead to sharpened communication skills, stronger executive presence, and more resilient decision-making under pressure. She also offers “walk-in” coaching clinics and emergency coaching sessions for urgent issues such as acute stress. Chantal’s style is often described as “a little bit straight and a little bit quirky” – meaning she is honest and direct when needed but also brings warmth and creativity to her sessions. As a certified mediator and Mental Health First Aider, she takes a 360° view of her clients’ well-being and performance. Under her guidance, many have overcome self-doubt, found new confidence in public speaking and leadership, and built thriving businesses with a healthier work-life balance. If you want a coach who can truly transform your mindset and unleash your potential, Chantal’s track record speaks for itself.
5. Mark Oborn – Business & Mindset Coach with an NLP Edge
Mark Oborn brings a powerful combination of business savvy and mindset mastery to his coaching practice in West Dorset. Based in Bridport, Mark spent 15 years running his own successful small business (in the dental industry) and also holds an MBA with a focus on marketing, innovation and creativity. This solid business background means he understands everything from managing staff and finances to crafting effective marketing strategies. What truly differentiates Mark is his expertise in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and related disciplines: he is a certified Master NLP Practitioner, Master Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Time Line Therapy™ Practitioner. By merging his MBA-level business knowledge with advanced psychology and communication techniques, Mark offers a holistic coaching approach that addresses both the strategic and human aspects of running a business.
Mark’s coaching sessions often dive deep into personal and professional development. He helps clients identify and eliminate limiting beliefs, improve their communication with teams and customers, and achieve absolute clarity on their goals. His style is described as direct yet supportive – he isn’t afraid to challenge clients to “think bigger, brighter and better” while still caring for their well-being. One notable feature of Mark’s practice is his measurable results guarantee: he is so confident in his methods that he offers a money-back guarantee if clients don’t experience a breakthrough (provided they follow the agreed action plan). This promise of “full, deep and utter clarity…or your money back” sums up the level of commitment he gives to each coachee. Mark works with a range of clients, from local entrepreneurs to professionals like doctors and dentists looking to grow their practices. In every case, his goal is to educate, motivate and empower them to exceed their own expectations. If you’re seeking a coach who can tackle business challenges and mindset hurdles in tandem, Mark Oborn is a top choice in Dorset. (My Successful Life – Mark Oborn Coaching)
6. Duncan McKechnie – No-Nonsense Coach for Performance & Leadership
Duncan McKechnie is a Dorset-based business coach whose no-nonsense approach has helped many entrepreneurs achieve faster results and higher profits. A partner at ActionCOACH West Dorset, Duncan leverages a unique background – 24 years in the South African Air Force – to instil discipline, focus, and ambition in the clients he coaches. As a former helicopter pilot and senior officer, he honed exceptional leadership skills and even had the honour of flying President Nelson Mandela on numerous occasions. Those experiences taught Duncan lessons in humility, compassion and determination, which now underpin his coaching style. After his military career, he spent 14 years in high-level corporate roles in aerospace and defence, further sharpening his business and leadership acumen.
Duncan’s coaching philosophy is straightforward: work smart, be accountable, and don’t shy away from tough love when needed. He utilises ActionCOACH’s proven methodologies (developed over three decades) combined with his own direct style to deliver rapid improvements. Clients often come to him feeling overwhelmed – working long hours without seeing results, struggling to manage their teams, or getting stuck working in the business instead of on the business. Duncan excels at breaking this cycle. He quickly identifies inefficiencies and mindset blocks, then pushes clients to step out of their comfort zones and implement changes. Despite his military precision, Duncan is also supportive and understanding – he genuinely cares about helping business owners reclaim their time and confidence. Whether it’s setting clearer goals, instilling better team accountability, or improving financial controls, he will demand the best from you and provide the guidance to achieve it. Under Duncan’s coaching, Dorset entrepreneurs have transformed exhausting, stressful operations into thriving businesses positioned for long-term success.
7. Gary Hales – International Executive Coach & Business Growth Specialist
Gary Hales has earned a strong reputation in Dorset’s coaching scene, particularly after being named “Most Dedicated Business Coach 2023 (Dorset)” at the UK Enterprise Awards. With a background that spans global business development and executive leadership, Gary serves as an International Executive Coach and business growth specialist for ambitious leaders. He works through ActionCOACH and other platforms to mentor business owners, founders, CEOs and senior executives on how to lead, fix, improve, and grow their businesses. In other words, whether a company needs stronger leadership, a turnaround plan, or strategies for expansion, Gary can step in as a coach and mentor to facilitate that growth journey.
What sets Gary apart is his global perspective and corporate experience. Previously holding senior roles (including in corporate sales and international market expansion), he brings first-hand knowledge of scaling businesses in various regions. Dorset clients benefit from Gary’s blend of high-level strategic insight and on-the-ground practicality. He is especially adept at helping leaders who are expanding into new markets or dealing with major transitions – offering guidance that draws on both his local expertise and international know-how. Colleagues describe Gary as approachable yet outcome-focused: he’s the coach who will encourage you to think big, but also hold you accountable to making tangible improvements in profitability, team performance, and business resilience. His recent award recognises that dedication. Business owners under Gary’s guidance often report significant gains, from sharper leadership skills to improved business systems and growth metrics. (Profile: ActionCOACH – Gary Hales or LinkedIn)
8. James Akin-Smith – The CEO Coach for Scaling & Exit Strategies
James Akin-Smith is widely regarded as one of Dorset’s top business coaches and trusted advisors. With a career spanning 30+ years of building and running successful businesses across multiple industries and over a decade of coaching experience, James brings a wealth of real-world knowledge to his clients. He has been ranked globally in the top 3% of business coaches, a testament to his impact on the industry. James is often referred to as “The CEO Coach®” – an award-winning business coach who works closely with CEOs, business owners and entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and achieve personal freedom. He has started and sold companies in sectors including construction, wholesale, software, and online retail, even building one venture into the second-most visited lingerie e-tailer in the UK. This serial entrepreneur turned coach knows what it takes to scale and prepare a business for a successful exit.
Business leaders who work with James appreciate his energy, clarity and results-driven approach. He has a knack for turning vision into reality by breaking down his clients’ big goals into actionable strategies. James often serves as a critical friend and mentor, bringing an outside perspective that challenges clients to think bigger while drawing on his “battle scars” from decades in business. During times of uncertainty (for example, the economic turbulence of 2020), James stepped up as a Dorset Chamber Ambassador to offer free “Survival Strategy” coaching sessions to local businesses – highlighting his commitment to the community. Specialising in strategic planning, business turnaround, and growth coaching, James Akin-Smith guides leaders to survive tough times and thrive long-term. His clients – ranging from start-up founders to corporate executives – credit his coaching with inspiring them, sharpening their focus, and even transforming their organisations.
9. Susannah Brade-Waring – Business Growth & Team Motivation Expert
Susannah Brade-Waring is a highly accomplished business coach based in Poole, Dorset, with over two decades of experience developing leaders and organisations. She is the Managing Director and Head Coach at Aspirin Business Solutions, a firm she founded in 2007 to make a meaningful difference for local companies. Susannah’s background includes helping grow a technology SME from start-up to a successful sale (via a management buyout)
She understands the journey of scaling a business from the inside out. She combines this strategic business experience with deep expertise in motivation and leadership development, enabling both business performance and personal fulfilment to flourish hand-in-hand.
As a coach, Susannah is known for being insightful, empathetic, yet highly strategic. She helps family businesses, SMEs, and corporate teams overcome growing pains, build confident leaders, and create motivated teams. Susannah is one of just a handful of Senior Practitioners of Motivational Maps globally, reflecting her mastery of the science of what drives team engagement. She’s also an accredited Liberating Leadership© Master Practitioner and a guest lecturer on leadership behaviours. Clients often call her “The Business Motivator,” as she excels at aligning business goals with the personal values and motivations of the people involved. By working with Susannah, Dorset business owners get a coach who can deliver world-class leadership training and practical growth strategies while maintaining a strong focus on integrity and purpose. (Website: Aspirin Business Solutions)
10. Simon Ellson – Strategic Growth & Leadership Specialist
Simon Ellson (Senior Partner & Head Coach at ActionCOACH West Dorset) tops our list as an outstanding business coach known for his strategic vision and broad business expertise. A serial entrepreneur, Simon has founded five businesses of his own, giving him real-world insight into the challenges owners face. He specialises in strategy for growth, helping companies develop clear plans to scale up and improve overall performance. Thanks to his broad experience, there are “rarely a challenge in business that he hasn’t faced.”– from boosting profitability to streamlining operations.
Simon’s coaching philosophy centres on clarity and accountability. He is recognised for a patient, measured approach and a unique ability to simplify complex issues into manageable action steps. As your coach, he will not only devise practical strategies but also hold you accountable for executing even the simplest tasks. Simon is a certified DISC & Motivators Practitioner, using behavioural profiling tools to strengthen team dynamics and leadership effectiveness. Under his leadership, ActionCOACH West Dorset became the top-performing franchise in the region, assisting many ambitious Dorset businesses to grow, win back time, and increase profits. Simon often says, “You don’t have to be the best to start, but you do have to start to be the best,” reflecting his belief in taking decisive action. His motivating “Head Down, Balls Up” philosophy (as he calls it) empowers clients to break through self-imposed barriers with practical, goal-oriented strategies. With Simon Ellson’s blend of experience, strategic acumen, and motivational coaching, Dorset business owners can expect clear direction and tangible growth results.
Conclusion:
Dorset is fortunate to have a diverse array of top-notch business coaches, each with their own specialisations and success stories. From Simon Ellson’s strategic growth mastery to Chantal Dempsey’s mindset transformations, and from seasoned corporate advisors like James Akin-Smith and Kelly Keating to niche experts like Clare Fielder and Luke Webb, there is someone to suit every business owner’s needs. Engaging a business coach is not just about fixing problems in your company – it’s also about investing in your own development as a leader. The coaches above come highly recommended, with credible track records and testimonials to back them up. They have helped Dorset businesses to scale up revenues, develop stronger leadership teams, enter new markets, and even find better work-life balance.
When choosing a coach, consider your specific goals: Do you need help crafting a long-term strategy? Improving your team’s performance? Sharpening your personal leadership skills? There’s an expert on this top-10 list for each of those areas and more. We encourage you to reach out (via the provided websites or LinkedIn profiles) for an introductory conversation – many of these coaches offer a free initial session or consultation. By tapping into the knowledge and guidance of Dorset’s best business coaches, you’ll be equipping your business for greater success and yourself for more confident, enlightened entrepreneurship. Here’s to your growth!
