Testimonials

Thank you for leading us through this incredible six-month leadership development program. It was one of the best investments I’ve made in myself and my career.  

- The program design of small cohorts, accountability partners, and breakouts during the live sessions fostered a safe space to practice the concepts.

- Comprehensive challenges in a variety of formats accommodated various learning styles while reinforcing the modules and “growing the muscles” of skill development

- Empathic, accessible, and engaging instructors exemplified true leadership and brought it to life

This program wasn't just about learning strategies or theories; it was about transforming the way we approach challenges, relationships, and even ourselves as leaders.  You’ve cultivated not just a group of graduates, but a community of leaders who are equipped to make an impact. You truly have defied my expectations!

DANELLE MORROW - VICE-PRESIDENT - SODEXO

Highly deliberate in its sequence of presentation, the content and its delivery makes me pause more often than not and reflect on things that I may've taken for granted in the past. Quite transformative. I'll be coming back to watching the videos time and time again because they spark new ideas and somewhat unexpectedly turn on lights in my head 🙂 It's been quite a while since I would've had such an experience. Incredible.

PHILIP V RAY - PROPOSAL SUPPORT MANAGER - TRANE TECHNOLOGIES

This course certainly defied all my expectations. It solidified knowledge, filled gaps, and gave us all a safe forum to share, be vulnerable, and learn from each other in ways not a single one of us expected. Not only do I come away with the pillars to continue growing into a better leader, but I have a solid foundation of peers to continue to lean on and learn from.

 CYNTHIA BRUCE - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - PRECISE PARKLINK

What really stands the test of time is that as a team we re-visited the outcomes many times to ensure we were on the right track and truly were able to hold ourselves accountable; we use the tools every day and the leadership team then used many of the same approaches with their teams - always to a very positive effect. That workshop created the foundations for us to become one of the highest performing teams in the business.

BRENDAN O'ROURKE - CIO - O2

...done a fantastic job of creating a safe place for us to explore difficult topics and grow together. It’s refreshing to be in a leadership academy with people that understand the unique challenges and leadership struggles of the bid world. I feel more understood than I do at my own company.

  WHITNEY AGOPIAN - VICE-PRESIDENT – PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE LLC

I not only developed a stronger sense of self - awareness but also learned effective techniques to enhance my communication skills, improve time management, and navigate complex situations with confidence.

NICLAS WALLEN - EXECUTIVE KEY ACCOUNT DIRECTOR - SYENSQO 

Having a mentor who is an experienced practitioner was an unexpected relief. You can speak about real problems, no matter how minor or detailed they appear to be – and find not only that they are treated seriously and respectfully - but are commonly faced by others too.

The extended interview based 360 was excellent. I learnt three areas of my performance that others rated highly, but I was unaware of. I also learnt three areas of my performance to never repeat ever again.

My time with my mentor helped me make the transition from Business Unit head to Group Executive Committee. I doubt that this would have been so successful without this.

ROGER HARDY - CHIEF EXECUTIVE I AVIATION - BABCOCK INTERNATIONAL GROUP

I have worked with my coach for about nine years. It has been personally transformational – giving me the opportunity to regularly reflect on leadership, strategy – and whatever issue is important to me at the time. She brings the perfect balance of coaching and ordering my own thoughts, together with her own extraordinary breadth of experience and sharp insight. I come into every session with seemingly insoluble issues, and leave feeling ready to tackle the world, full of new ideas and opportunities. It has changed my life – and had a profound impact on the success of the organisations for which I work.

JAMES WHITING - CEO - DOUGHTY STREET CHAMBERS

I enjoyed listening to the speakers and watching their expertise in communication. It was also great to be able to connect with a bigger network of KAMs so we can work collaboratively with oneanother as we begin this SKAM journey. The pre-learning videos contain excellent concepts and they are excellent visuals of the importance of a "calm, concise messaging" to engage your audience. I also like that we have an accountability partner.

JAMIE BACHINSKI - KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER – SYENSQO

Helen helped me gain clarity about my personal & professional aspirations & provided practical strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve my objectives.

NICLAS WALLEN - EXECUTIVE KEY ACCOUNT DIRECTOR -  SYENSQO

Thank you for your time and support... it is really useful, in part knowing I am going to meet with you forces the thinking and always during the meeting I am forced to confront and externalise the real issues and the ones I am avoiding. It is so easy to get lost in the day to day and not stay focused on making a difference and doing so quickly.

LAURA LEE - CEO – MAGGIE'S

I learnt how to approach my customer and other stakeholders differently, remain proactive and vigilant about the data I gathered while working toward a greater overall KAM ambition that should be at the heart of my end in mind message.'

VINCENT CADRAN - ACCOUNT MANAGER - SYENSQO

I’ve worked with Pat over the past 10 years and she has helped me in addressing dysfunctional Executive teams and also carried out several Board Effectiveness reviews. Pat brings great experience to developing high performing teams and does so with a very calm and professional approach. Pat builds trust and respect quickly which helps bring people on board with the process and the need for change and ultimately delivers a positive result.

PHIL CALDWELL - CEO - CERES POWER PLC

Graduating yesterday marked the end of an incredibly enriching journey — and your guidance, structure, and support were instrumental every step of the way. I came into the program with a strong appreciation for leadership in our profession, but this experience has deepened my understanding and challenged me to grow in unexpected and meaningful ways. I can already see how the insights and tools from the Academy will strengthen my capacity to support and inspire emerging professionals.Thank you once again for your commitment to excellence and for creating a space where leadership can truly be developed, not just discussed.

RAILENE TURNER - OWNER - RAIGIME

Most significantly in my time working with Pat has been the support in dealing with specific individuals and helping me to navigate through some tricky and difficult relationship barriers, at times, political situations and helping me to result in positive outcomes always in the best interest of the enterprise. The care and attention to detail that Pat goes into in understanding deeply the relationship dynamics, root of issue and assessing such aspects as ‘differing personalities’ has been extremely helpful. Pat is able to give differing perspectives, helping me to see the situation without emotion and then to help me plot a course forward that has led to positive outcomes.

Pat understands what it takes to be a high performing team. At a board level and as an executive team. Then how, through consistent and clear, aligned communication, the plan can be cascaded successfully across an enterprise. This comes at times with healthy challenge and a directness which cuts through the small stuff and typically gets right to the nub of issues. Always giving an honest and fair appraisal of any situation. Pat has a nose for where the issues lie especially in supporting teams to work better together. More recently, Pat has supported me with some difficult leadership dynamics, relationships and performance issues resulting in a new executive team coming together in the past 12 months. At time, the feedback has been tough, direct and made me think hard myself about my own leadership style.

I highly recommend Pat (and the wider team at Defy). There is a steely determination to make a difference. To be on the journey with you and never be a ‘consultant’. Pat is an invaluable mentor to me and continues to support my personal development and relationship interactions with investors, board and wider executive team.

MIKE ENGLAND - CEO - FLOWTECH PLC