West Peak

West Peak was born out of our love of solving problems with and not for other people. For us, the best element of partnering with clients is always the legacy and results we leave with you. Our mission is to deliver solutions that provide incremental enhancements in your performance at work, and personal flourishing that continues long after training.​​

We deliver best in class face-to-face and virtual leadership, personal, and team development training solutions. Our methods are rooted in science and presented ready for real-world application. We create a safe yet challenging learning environment that's optimised for rapid, fun, and embedded learning. Whether we're delivering for you via Zoom, in the classroom, at a mountain refuge, or on a yacht, we're convinced we all learn best when we're having serious fun.

Founder & CEO

Director

Helm (formerly The Supper Club)

"Helm is a membership community for established founders to achieve personal and business growth, that creates positive impact and delivers more than it takes."

Member

Matterwave Capital

Seeking out and acquiring well-run businesses that do good in their communities and the environment.

Founder & Investment Director

Dartmouth Partners

"Recruiting Excellence from Classroom to Boardroom"

Dartmouth Partners work with leading firms and outstanding individuals who understand that the value of human talent makes the difference to any business. 

Our business focuses on finding the best talent on campus and advising them as their career advances. As they progress, our network matures and in turn so does our supply capability on the experienced side of the business.

We recruit individuals with an outstanding academic or professional background into firms who recognise that a competitive edge is gained by finding and hiring the best human capital available.

Sectors covered include: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Asset Management, Consulting, and Corporates.

www.joindartmouth.com

Head of Talent & Performance

reinvest recruit

- ATTRACT -
Strategic retained recruitment assignments to identify, engage and secure the best talent for your business.

- DEVELOP -
Training for the Sales, Operations and Management teams.

- RETAIN -
Consultancy to identify pathways to business growth supporting the development and retention of your team.

Chief Reinvestor

ATI (Global Technical Recruitment Services)

ATI is a global specialist recruitment consultancy priding ourselves on placing exceptional candidates into technical & professional roles across energy and industry sectors, over the last 15 years. 

Our sector-experienced candidates complement our clients’ environments and hit the ground running – providing the knowledge and skill to deliver their projects successfully.

Our focus sectors include:
•	Oil, Gas and Petrochemical
•	Nuclear Energy and Renewables
•	Cement & Mining
•	Civil works and Infrastructure
•	Construction

We are currently actively recruiting across the UK, EU, Africa and the ME on specific projects for a number of global companies.

Successfully exited the business.

Senior Director

Hydrogen Group

Hydrogen Group is a global specialist recruitment business placing mid to senior level individuals in over 70 countries. Key practice specialisms include: IT, Project Management, Pharmaceutical/Life Sciences, Legal, Oil and Gas, Power, Mining and Financial Services Inc. Banking. We have also recently won the Global Recruiter Industry Award for 'Best In-house Training'.

Learning & Development Consultant/Coach

England Rugby

A training and development role on behalf of the RFU and the IRB that is continuing to focus on ensuring that the workforce has the correct support and development opportunities to excel.

•Delivering Award and Non-Award courses on behalf of the RFU and the IRB
•Ensuring the quality of delivery in Coach Educator staff
•Assessing and mentoring Coach Educators to ensure RFU workforce is fit for purpose

National Trainer

The remit of this role was to manage the growth and sustainability of Rugby Union across the region whilst operating at a national level to impact current and future programmes. 

•Developed and grew Rugby Union across London & SE
•Managed and deployed a regional team of rugby development professionals 
•Serviced and troubleshot the needs of member clubs and rugby organisations
•Developed and delivered training to workforce as part of on going development

Professional Coach / Rugby Development Officer

Badenoch & Clark

Recruiter and part of the successful Project/Programme Management team. Established and managed relationships with large corporate accounts and specific assignments with SME's. A focus on securing the right talent for the right organisations.

Recruiter

Delivering people development with real world results 🚀📈 | Mt. Blanc & Mt. Cotopaxi Summiteer 🏔️ | IRONMAN 70.3 finisher 🏊‍♂️🚴🏃🏻| IRONMAN in training

Husband and Dad first, the rest second. 

I’m an athlete, adventurer and student of how to make me the best I can be daily. 

I’m also a…

People & performance coach. Experiential, virtual and in-person teacher, trainer and mentor. Helping organisations grow through unleashing their biggest asset.




The people that give them trust daily.

Full update coming on Monday. But for now let me just say…


A huge thanks to everyone that has supported me to become an MDS Legend.

Marathon Des Sables 

Competed it ✅

Ben Stocken

Follow me for insights on leadership and team performance | Giving your business a competitive advantage through people development | Top 1% for L&D on LinkedIn | Top 10 Podcast Host - How They Lead | CEO at West Peak.

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25 reasons you’ve got to find your Marathon Des Sables this year…


Day 1…


1️⃣ We don’t suffer enough day to day.

We’ve adapted our lives to be more efficient, faster and easier. Finding a challenge that relies on you overcoming prolonged physical and mental suffering sculpts a resilience that will stand you apart from the pack.

2️⃣ If you think you can’t, try it.

Focusing on one singular goal gives you laser focus and allows you to measure what matters. Going a step further and attempting a goal that you might fail at provides you a chance to explore your potential.

3️⃣ The process is most important.

I’ve done more research and prep on the MDS than on anything else this year. When the goal is huge and the stakes are high your process levels up. You get smarter at strategy and tactics.

4️⃣ Win or loose, you’ll have more fun.

I’ll call this the F*ck it effect. At the end of the day life is here to be lived and loved. None of us are getting out alive. If you achieve the goal great, if you do everything right and miss, then you’ve had one hell of a journey.

5️⃣ The brotherhood of the tent effect.

This has been everything to me at the MDS. I’ve truly added 7 brothers to my family in the last 11 days and the bond created through shared suffering and ecstasy lasts. Share your challenge with others. It compounds the benefits. Lots more on this later in the week!


So there’s the first 5.

I hope they add value to you.

5 more each day this week, then on Friday I’ll share what’s next for this average adventure athlete…

It’s my biggest and boldest challenge yet!

How can shared suffering and ecstasy create a bond among people?

How can resilience help in one's professional life?

I can’t believe the day has come. This has been a year of preparation and a…


lifetime of dreaming.

I remember seeing a clip of the MDS when I was a kid and thinking, one day I’ll do that!

Well I get to live that kids dream today.

Flying off to Morocco and into the Sahara to race 6 marathons over 6 days in the sand and heat, self supported.

I can’t bloody wait! 

See you on 11 days LinkedIn. 👋🏼

P.S. if you’re thinking about investing in giving your business the competitive advantage it needs through leadership development get in touch with Matthew Hall  whilst I’m away.

It’s only taken me 40 years to say something worth quoting and here it is…


“There’s beauty in the dullness of consistency.”


3 separate people messaged me after seeing these words in my post last week and have since shared it with their teams. 🙏🏻

It’s a concept that has taken me far too long to fully appreciate the power of.

This is probably because consistency is:

☹️ Presciptive 

☹️ Not sexy

☹️ Not AI

And as a leader with ADHD it’s something I hold my hands up to struggling with. 

But what really hit me in the desert last week that ultimately secured success in the Marathon Des Sables is that consistency oils the machine of performance.

Without it you operate in chaos and are at the whim of external factors.

Ultimately the rollercoaster 🎢 effect.

Which I thought was the fun of the game of leadership. But on reflection it’s likely to just be an addiction to hormones like adrenaline and dopamine.

In contrast…

The beauty created by the dullness is:

😃 Repeatable results 

😃 Scalable performance 

😃 Transparency of approach 


What have I missed that you’d add?

P.S. stay tuned as at this rate there’s a cracker coming out from me in 40 years time 🤣

How can consistency impact leadership performance?

What challenges might individuals with ADHD face in maintaining consistency?

What role does consistency play in effective leadership?

Reasons 11-15 why you’ve got to find your Marathon Des Sables this year…


Day 3…

Writing this gave me the ‘feels’.

This pic was taken on the transfer back from the race finish. Our tent ALL finished the most gruelling edition of the MDS to date. 

Not many tents had a 100% success rate. 

I firmly believe the next 5 points hugely contributed to our success as a tent…


1️⃣1️⃣ Individual sport with team support.

The MDS is a solo self supported race. Your place is your place. But you are assigned 7 other people to live with in the cramped conditions of a Berber tent. These people can either make or break your performance. You have to become a “team” fast, or you’ll all suffer more. A lot more.

1️⃣2️⃣ Brotherhood created in suffering. 

Our tent. Tent 49. Succeeded in coming together as a team. We rapidly agreed how we’d live together, what was acceptable and what wasn’t. We aligned individual goals and ultimately had each others back to ensure we did everything we could to help everyone become successful. In the boiler room of the desert, we found new brothers.

1️⃣3️⃣ Living in close quarters.

In the tent everyone has a 2m x 40cm space to live in. You sleep, eat, wash (ish) and dress in this space 24/7. And remember you’ve just run an ultra marathon that day, so has your neighbour. The smell is fresh! The intimate nature of living like this requires discipline. You learn to unpack and pack your bag each day systematically. You become a pro at not sticking your ass in someone’s face when changing! 

1️⃣4️⃣ Empathy and EQ levels up.

You’ll have down days and up days. My experience was you’ll have these emotions most hours and so will everyone else. You find a new level of empathy for your tent mates. You see them at their worst and best. This could easily cause anger, frustration and arguements. We came close to crossed words at times, but ultimately I learnt a lot about EQ during this time and how even during suffering, love for your mates and trumps anger.

1️⃣5️⃣ Humanity at its finest. 

If there’s one thing that drives you to find your MDS it should be this. These events are the greatest advert for humankind. Everyday we looked out for when each other were finishing and left the safety of the tent where we were resting to cheer the next returner in to the finish line. We carried their bags and water for them. Got them settled and cared for them. Then the whole camp moved to the finish line everyday to cheer and clap the last finisher in. That’s 100s of self obsessed ultra endurance athletes sacrificing their precious rest and shade to celebrate another humans suffering and ultimate dominance of themselves and the desert. There were tears, everyday and it was beautiful. 


Thanks to my tent mates, Alex, Rob, Jim, Mike, James, Chris and Dave. 

Without you lads I may not have finished. I certainly wouldn’t have had the experience I did.

Stay tuned for Day 4 tomorrow…

How does Marathon Des Sables showcase humanity at its finest?

What is Marathon Des Sables and why is it unique?

How does Marathon Des Sables increase empathy levels?

Reasons 16-20 why you’ve got to find your Marathon Des Sables this year…


Day 4/5…


1️⃣6️⃣ If you don’t use it you’ll lose it.

I actually got fitter during the MDS which was an awesome surprise. The last two stages were my strongest and fastest. This means I likely went into the race under fit. I had an injury 10 weeks before it which limited my last training block. But this showed me just how fit I can be. We under use our bodies on a daily basis and events like this enable you to fully explore just how amazing our bodies can be.

1️⃣7️⃣ Your mind needs to be expanded.

These events are attritional. They grind you down mentally. 252km in sand and at high temps on little to no sleep is a mental challenge as much as a physical challenge. You have to use all your mental tools to get through. Self talk, mantras, visualisation, setting small process goals all come into play. I look back and I loved deploying all these and seeing the impact they had on delaying failure, which ultimately led to success.

1️⃣8️⃣ F.E.A.R.

What’s holding you back from achieving more? It’s FEAR. 

False 
Evidence 
Appearing 
Real

The thing is we all avoid risk daily because side of take evidence. The MDS makes you confront this on a daily basis and you develop clauses that protect you from day to day FEAR.

1️⃣9️⃣ There’s a whole world out there.

Doing your normal park run is great, but there’s so much to see and expience out there, so my advice is to switch it up and change the venue. Make your own park runs up. Do a multi day ultra in a new location. You then get the privilege of experiencing new cultures and the beauty of nature. 

2️⃣0️⃣ Today is never the right time.

There were 100 reasons why I shouldn’t have done this race. I have two small boys, a business and we’re currently doing building work. But I love by the idea that you’ve always got to make a play. Otherwise you miss the opportunity. Today will never be the best time, but do you know what, neither will tomorrow. To quote Nike, “just do it”. You’ll find away to make it work. 

Last day tomorrow as I wrap up the 25 reasons why you need to find your MDS.

I hope these have been helpful and interesting for you.

Have an excellent day. 🙏🏻

Reasons 6-10 why you’ve got to find your Marathon Des Sables this year…


Day 2…

6️⃣ Distance creates meaning.

Events like the MDS are remote. They rapidly detach you from the filler of life. You’re left with only survival tasks. Making a coffee gains meaning. It made me hyper aware of what I’m letting back into my life now I’m home.

7️⃣ Anchors at home become your world. 

This picture (my wife may kill me for posting it) was part of a care kit I got to open each evening after I’d run. Everyday I ran in 50C heat over endless sand dunes to earn just one picture and 50 words from my family. That WHY was all I needed. Simple reinforcement but hugely effective.

8️⃣ Camp life success mirrors business.

Survinging the desert on rationed water and only the food you can carry requires a disciplined routine of foot care, hydrating, re fuelling and rest. You have to do each task at the right time and in the right order to thrive.
I reflected out there that it’s the same simple recipe for success in business. There’s beauty in the dullness of consistency. 

9️⃣ The down time enables the up time.

You have to learn how to rest. Someone told me before I left. Rest is a critical element but it’s f*cking boring! The quality and quantity of your rest on a multi day survival race determines how hard you can go tomorrow, or even if you’ll be able to finish. Life’s the same just over longer time periods. Which is sneaky as it can creep up on you.

🔟 Pooing in front of people is normal.

This is a leveller. I had a poo in the middle of the desert in front of anyone who was about to watch it sat next to a billionaire just outside our camp. Why? Because it became normal, accepted, expected. Now I’m not suggesting you have a crap in the office next to Jane from Marketing today. But it did show me how many of our social norms are transient. That first poo was awkward and embarrassing, like the first time you speak out in a meeting or tell a client no. Do it once and you’ll be able to do it forever!

Tune in tomorrow for 11-15…

What’s the next challenge???


I’ve been asked this on every call since being back.

And it’s my biggest one yet.

Firstly, thank you to everyone that’s given me so much positive feedback about my series of posts last week on what I learnt from the MDS last week. 🙏🏻

I’m not sure I’ve come to terms with that challenge yet.

But I do know it’s already changed me, our business and how I lead. 

More on this in the future. 

Back to the next challenge…

So far on this journey of exploring my physical and mental capabilities I’ve:

-Submitted Mont Blanc. 

-Learnt to swim to complete an IronMan.

-Completed the toughest foot race on earth.

Ive learnt so much through the planning, training and completing of each challenge.

Now is the time to focus on my family.

So…

In spring next year Sarah Stocken and I will be trecking with our two boys to Everest basecamp. ⛰️

If the boys make it, they’ll be in the running for a world record.  

If they don’t we as a family will have had an incredible adventure and pushed our bond and relationships forward. 

I’m already in love with the process for this one. ☝🏻 

Thanks to Elite Exped for supporting our first family challenge.

Whilst I was away playing sandcastles in the Sahara the team only went and nailed a new achievement to the mast…


West Peak is now B Corp certified. 🎉

I know what you’re thinking…

“Sh*t, not another reason to partner with West Peak to develop the performance of our employees!”

I can only apologise. 🙏🏻

We've qualified to join a growing movement over 6,000 businesses, such as Finisterre  Waitrose & Partners, Ella's Kitchen and innocent drinks and many more, who make a real difference.  

B Corp is a certification for companies that meet high social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency.

The B Corp vision aligns perfectly with ours here at West Peak: wanting to make every business a force for good. 💚

Being part of B Corp means we belong to a community of like-minded individuals. It allows us to connect, be inspired, and work alongside other businesses that want to use their business as a force for good.

#performance #BCorp #standards #teamwork

How can social and environmental impact benefit businesses?

What do I need to know about B Corp certification?

The last day! Reasons 21-25 why you’ve got to find your Marathon Des Sables this year…

Day 5/5…

For the last piece of the puzzle today I’ve called on my brothers of Tent 49 for their reflections. 

Thanks boys 🙏🏻


2️⃣1️⃣ Learn what you can and can’t control.

I could have quit 10 times easily. But that would not have benefited anyone, not me, not my family, not the people that care about me or my tent mates. I found a deeper part of me that is willing to fight and go further than anything before, because I was willing to stay in the fight. I was willing to react to the negatives with some form of a positive and found myself continually taking one more step. We can always take one more step. - Michael Bentley 

2️⃣2️⃣ Smallify your problems.

Officially there were 6 finish lines in the MDS, but for me, there were a thousand and that’s exactly how I created my success. 

I’ve learned that as you stand at the precipice of a monumental climb; blink at a blank page waiting to solve a complex puzzle; or hold your breath at the start line of a multistage ultra marathon, the most powerful tool in your arsenal is to smallify your problem. 

Just start. Take the first step. 

Then set yourself small and achievable goals as you go. Forget that you’re only 10km into a 250km run; that will only destroy your confidence, strategy and strength.

Instead, work towards the first checkpoint or towards the first 5km when you reward yourself with nutrition. Once you’ve achieved that small goal, establish your next one. 

Before you know it, the mountain becomes a hill; the puzzle became a game; and the challenge became an experience. - Alex Harland 

2️⃣3️⃣ Adapt and overcome.

I had and injury in the long stage, which meant my goals had to change. I was able to reassess, refocus and get on with what I had available to me. It taught me that having a plan B going into an event isn’t the main thing. It’s your ability to create one in real time that matter. - James Ricketts 

2️⃣4️⃣ It’s who you become on the journey.

Anyone who has the courage and audacity to set foot on the start line has not just simply shown up. We spend months and months preparing physically, emotionally, and mentally; to do this.

The process does not end when we reach the desert, it continues everyday until we reach that finish line for the final time and become MdS legends. I found love in the simple way of living, the daily admin, the camaraderie between brothers, the final fist-bumps and handshakes before the sounding of the start each day, and the companionship of your Tent Familia when you finish. We find meaning in the why we love to show up every day. - Rob J. Tant MCIOB MAPM fCMgr MCMI 

2️⃣5️⃣ Doing hard things matters.

I did the MDS to complete and compete in one of the hardest races in the world. 

Testing my emotional and physical capabilities is something I strive to do everyday. For me this builds mental fortitude and drive to succeed in all forms of life. - James Miller

How does building resilience contribute to success?

Why is personal growth important in professional development?

What are the key takeaways from the Marathon Des Sables event?

I swear I’ve had managers that have shown me all 7 types in just one day which…


confused the hell out of me!

Can you relate to this?

Managers everywhere 📣📣📣

The one thing your team needs from you today is…

To behave consistently. 

Please. 🙏🏻 

P.S. if you’re reading this and are struggling with consistent management behaviours. I can help you. 

We’ve built an award winning 7 figure business focusing on solving this and only this. 

Performance starts with behaviours.

What is the significance of consistent behaviors in performance?

How do consistent behaviors impact team success?

How does consistent management behavior affect team performance?

10,000 followers on here isn’t the destination but it’s been a goal for a while.

Why?

The more followers I grow on here the more people and businesses West Peak can help…

✅ level up their leadership skills.

✅ secure a competitive advantage.

✅ achieve more than they could before.

I want to improve the value I add on here for you.

So, what leadership topics should I explore and share my approach to that would help you?

Drop them in the comments…

There’s some crap leadership out there and I hear too many stories of…


how the, “Do as I say, not as I do” brigade are leading (not leading) their teams!

We founded West Peak - Certified BCorp to fix this.

And our results are keep the businesses we’re supporting ahead of the pack. 

Our programmes:

1. Create profit and measurable ROI.

2. Enable contemporary leadership skills.

3. Fully embed learning to become actions.

4. Are only available to business’s that get it. 

Do you get it?

If you’re a growing business and you don’t, I’ve got some good and bad news…

You will…either now, or when it’s too late!

More of the top #100 of How To Speak Like A Crap 💩 Manager coming weekly to your feed…

DM me your hilarious but painfully true examples and I’ll feature them. 👍🏻

What is the impact of contemporary leadership skills in business?

Learn more about West Peak - Certified BCorp

My weekend posts are all about self-leadership because if we can't lead ourselves well, we don't stand a chance of...


leading anybody else well! 

We've got to learn to use the precious time we have wisely.

Being purposeful about how we spend our time is huge.

Who you surround yourself with matters.

How do these graphs make you feel?


P.S. Thanks to @tjpower for the great images.

How can self-leadership skills benefit professionals?

Why is time management crucial in the workplace?

How can visual content impact professional communication?

How we use our time matters

Why do I consistently share content that helps people be better leaders on here for FREE? 


Thats a bloody good question…

The answer is in this video. 

👇🏽



Follow me for daily insights designed to help you level up.

DM me to learn more about how we can help you and your business achieve more.

How can becoming a better leader impact professional growth?

How can daily insights aid in personal development?

What impact can achieving business success have on personal growth?

Celebrating turning 40 today and contributing to an important article on bossware. What a day! 😜

Thanks Rob Waugh for featuring my comments.

Are you using data to analyse employee productivity when WFH?

Or 

Just keeping tabs on presenteism? 🫣

There is way more going on in this space than everyone thinks until they really look.

Link in the comments. 👀

Time is way more than just money. It’s competitive advantage and…


Wellness.

Without mastering your own time, how can you leverage your workforce as an advantage to create more value?

You can’t.

Here’s easy 5 steps you need to apply today.

Have I missed anything you use?

Screw everyone else’s story! What’s your story? What…


do you want to be known for?

If you want to level up your self leadership, look no further than Arnold Schwarzenegger. 👊🏻

His recent book 📕 “Be useful”

is a goldmine. 🥇 


Simple breakdown below…

✅Have a vision 

✅Write down your goals 

✅Keep those goals visible 

✅Chase them down everyday with joy

✅Joy in work lowers the need for discipline 


This all starts with you creating your vision.

It’s your life, live as the driver.

Not as a passenger.

Your turn.

🚀

How important is having a clear vision for personal success?

What impact can self-leadership have on professional growth?

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