Built For This?
You have built something that matters. You do not want to F* up what comes next.
When the pressure is highWhen the game has changedWhen the next decisions matter
The Alchemists creates the private space to step back, see clearly, form the decision you trust and act deliberately.
A confidential first conversation with Alan.
You may recognise this.
The business has outgrown the way it used to operate. The next move matters. The team is capable, yet too much still comes back to you. The mission is clear in words and less clear in daily decisions. The options are many, certainty is limited and the consequences are real.
This is not a lack of effort. It is the moment when space to think becomes a performance requirement.
- When the pressure is high.
- When the game has changed.
- When the next decisions matter.
- When the options are many and certainty is limited.
- When too much still comes back to you.
What greater performance looks like
Your five-year mission is happening in the business. The right people are in the right roles. Leadership is shared. Progress is visible. The business no longer depends on you carrying it alone.
Unlocking Greater Performance
Where Disciplined Thought Becomes Disciplined Action
We create protected time away from the day-to-day so you can see clearly, form the decision and move into action.
Clarity : Decision : Action
We listen deeply and challenge carefully. We do not impose answers or take ownership of the decision. The decision remains yours.
Active Time Out
An Active Time Out creates protected space to explore, practise and test before real-world performance.
- 01Step Back
- 02Think
- 03Organise
- 04Proceed
The conditions for greater performance
These principles shape the space, the relationship and the standard of every engagement.
Active Time Out
Protected time away from the day-to-day to explore, practise and test before real-world performance.
Step Back. Think. Organise. Proceed.
High Performance
Strengthening self-belief and drawing on your own resources, intuition, innovation and adaptability when the path is uncertain.
Safe Space
Deep trust and respect create room for honest thinking, free from judgement and imposed answers.
Collaboration
We listen deeply, challenge carefully and work alongside you. Ownership, responsibility and accountability remain yours.
Empathy without attachment creates clarity.
Start with an Executive Active Time Out
A private, structured conversation for the decision that matters now. Step out of the noise, clarify the real objective and leave with confidence about the next deliberate move.
A confidential first conversation with Alan.
When the work needs to go deeper
Alchemists 1:1 — Decision Partnership
An ongoing private partnership as consequential decisions move from clarity into action.
SLT Active Time Outs
Protected space for the senior leadership team to think together, form shared decisions, strengthen ownership and align action.
The Alchemists INside
Embedded performance consultancy connecting mission, strategy, people, culture and disciplined action across the business.
Clearer decisions, owned and acted on.
“The work helped me become more confident and instinctive in my decisions.”
What changed: Confidence and instinct in decision-making.
What happened next: Realised his mission and went on to a successful exit.
“Alchemists INside has allowed us to discuss these important issues and develop our understanding of how we retain talent.”
What changed: Shared understanding of how the business retains talent.
What happened next: Grew a talented team, at senior leadership level and throughout the organisation.
“The work helped me make clearer and slightly braver decisions about my business.”
What changed: Clearer and braver decisions about the business.
What happened next: Achieved her mission of moving on from her business, leaving it in the capable hands of the acquirer, and is now building The Better Way into a commercial success.
“The Alchemists has helped me introduce new working practices into my week that I doubt I could have found on my own. Knowing that future problems and issues yet to be seen can be brought into a confidential thinking space is a valuable form of insurance.”
What changed: New working practices and a confidential thinking space for what is coming.
“I was used to going fast. Working with Alan helped me realise I still want to go fast, and I want my businesses and myself to go far. His coaching and prodding helped form an idea that led me to start my 3rd business in 2023. Taking time out from the day-to-day is the half day I need most. It allows me to return to my businesses with greater clarity.”
What changed: Greater clarity and a 3rd business formed through disciplined thinking time.
“Being a founder and CEO can be lonely at the top. The Alchemists gives you a safe environment to share, learn and think more clearly about what comes next.”
What changed: A safe environment to share, learn and think clearly.
“At a time of change, when you are at the crossroads of a tough decision, it is invaluable to have the wealth of knowledge and experience to call upon so the way forward becomes clear. Alan has helped challenge some of my issues with my own business through robust testing and coaching in one-to-one sessions. He facilitates the thinking so that everyone gets the best out of each other.”
What changed: Clarity at the crossroads of a tough decision through robust private challenge.
Alan creates the private space in which leaders can hear their own thinking, challenge assumptions and own what comes next.
Alan brings a commercial life spent leading and growing businesses, a long study of performance psychology and the Inner Game, and years of disciplined work alongside leaders in transition.
He is non-directive. He listens deeply, challenges carefully and stays unattached to what your answer should be, so the decision and the accountability stay where they belong.
Looking for The Alchemists Circle?
The Alchemists Circle is the separate confidential peer-membership business for leaders who want an ongoing Personal Board with trusted peers.
When the next decision really matters, speak to Alan before you make it.
Start a private conversation about the decision, transition or leadership moment that matters now.