With social media awash with people turning to coaching, you are right to ask. After all, it’s not like I’m either a world leader or a politician or pop star!
Well, I’m Jay Allen.
From leaving school I studied Psychology and Sociology with a particular interest in communication and behaviour patterns. Quickly deciding I didn’t want to work as a Social Worker, I joined the British Army, training to be an Advanced Trauma Medic. Over the 14 years within the Armed Services, I progressed through the ranks, qualifying in Pre-Hospital Advanced Trauma Life Support as well as studying to become a Teacher.
In my later years in the service, I worked Tri-service in both Training & Development and Strategic Thinking. Visiting the States to complete a Blue Ocen Strategy course, before returning to support the British Military write and test exercise contingency plans for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Leaving the service (through injury) in 2003, I turned my attention to the world of business, and over the next 12 years have worked at Boardroom level with 2 of the largest brands on the high street, and at a regional level within the public sector (in Training Development and Change Management) prior to either buying, acquiring or setting up from scratch 4 of my own businesses.
Alongside my role as Chief ScaleUp Sherpa within My TrueNORTH, I am also an international keynote speaker, published business author and find time to sit on the board for 3 registered charities.
In 2012 I won a Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business’ Award (Kauffman Institute for Entrepreneurship) only to win it again in 2013! And, in 2017 was added to Smith & Williamson’s Clear Business Thinking’ Power 100 as one of the top business influencers in the UK. Finally, early in 2022, I was invited to accept the role of Fellow for the Association of Coaching Professionals in recognition of my ongoing work promoting ethics in business and across the coaching fraternity.
Outside of work, I’m a married father of one, residing in Cheshire, United Kingdom. I Swim and run three times a week, and spend most of my weekends either on my motorcycle cruiser or with a pair of walking boots and a daysack on the side of a hill!