ABOUT US

The Coach House Story

Our reputation as a financial services boutique consultancy has given us the privilege of working with a diverse client base since we were founded in 1999. We’ve created and helped numerous firms and regulators develop training (eLearning and face to face), capability and competence solutions against a backdrop of an increasingly complex and changing regulatory landscape.

Our years of industry experience and regulatory insights shows us that we can provide the right tools and support. One thing that really matters to us is that we always add value. We focus on getting the right outcomes for you and your business and giving you the best people to help you achieve better business results.

We are passionate about what we do and how we do it. You’ll see this when you work with us!

• we seek to understand
• we seek to understand
• we’re pragmatic
• we’re hands on when we need to be and don’t keep our clients at arm’s length
• we build relationships that are based on a partnership
• we have a ‘can do’ approach
• we focus on outcomes and solutions and the results that matter for the client
• we have a massive breadth of industry / regulatory experience and bring an external perspective
• we set high standards and consistently help our clients achieve the regulatory requirements / industry best practices
• we develop your people to ensure they are able to carry on doing a great job after we have left

At Coach House we have an unstoppable determination to do whatever it takes to solve your issues and give you the outcome you need. We also promise to offer you the best people, an extensive range of solutions and expert insights to give you the confidence to tackle your capability or business issues.

Sectors We Operate In

• Regulation
• Banking
• Finance
• Global Mining
• Telecommunications
• Oil & Gas
• Pharmaceutical Industry

Our Approach

• Analysis
• Listening
• Questioning
• Seeking to understand
• Scoping the solution
• Defining the terms of reference
• Establishing ROI / KPIs
• Identifying and engaging stakeholders and SME’s
• Planning and outlining the approach
• Horizon scanning

Design & Detailed Approach

• Detailed planning
• Setting out frameworks / pathways
• Aligning with internal and external requirements
• Applying industry best practices
• Establishing / agreeing governance and operating model
• Defining ROI / KPIs measurements
• Critical success factors

Development

• Building solutions
• Implementation plan
• Infrastructure requirements – virtual / technology
• Aligning  Training & Competence and performance management
• Developing communications / engagement approach
• Pilot and applying modifications

Implement

• Sign-off launch plan
• Pre-launch tests and UAT
• Modifications
• Stakeholder sign-off
• Go live communications and engagement
• Transferring to Business As Usual

Review

• Evaluation
• Stakeholder feedback
• Performance observations
• Outcomes – output / quality / financial measurements / risk measure

The Coach House Approach to Working is a pragmatic and simple way of working. Our focus is on listening and truly understanding your issues and pressures. We break down complex challenges and make them manageable in the context of your organisation.

Ethics & Values

Coach House will always;

• Act as your trusted adviser
• Take responsibility for our actions
• Behave professionally and ethically
• Strive to achieve excellence.

Clarity – We Listen First

We won’t jump to conclusions or pre-judge a situation. We will always make sure we understand the outcomes that are needed so that we are all really clear on what’s expected and how it will be delivered.

Capability – Practising What We Preach

How many companies try to sell you compliance and regulatory consultancy services and yet, when you look at how their own people maintain competence, it falls way short of the services they want you to buy? At Coach House we are happy to be judged by the capability standards expected by the Regulators and the legacy of continued referrals and satisfied clients.

Credibility – No False Claims

We know what we do well, and we work with partners who can supplement our scope and range of expertise. But the bottom line is this: we won’t practise on you. Where we are not the right people to help you we will say so quickly and help you find people who can. Where we really come out on top is our deep understanding of the regulatory environment, industry best practice and the practical application of the regulatory requirements.

Policies

Diversity and Inclusion

Coach House clients are as diverse as the world we live in. We ensure our working practices cultivate an environment where our consultants value diversity and actively pursue inclusiveness, personal growth and professional excellence. Coach House Associates come from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.

To embrace diversity throughout our engagements, we;

• Build capable teams that reflect our own values and those of the clients we work with
• Create an inclusive workplace where diversity is respected and there is zero tolerance for discrimination
• Work with diverse clients
• Serve diverse clients by offering services and products that meet their needs and values

Sustainability

It is essential that sustainable development and environmental management are at the core of all activities within the engagements we participate. Coach House endeavours to contribute to achieve sustainability and understands the importance of the role it has to play in the environment and in promoting principles of sustainability in its business activities with others.

Coach House will manage and control its environmental risks in a sustainable manner by complying with relevant legislation and adopting, where appropriate, best practice of our clients own policies and standards.

Coach House will also endeavour to integrate the principles of sustainability into its strategies, policies and procedures and within the engagements we are deploying.

IT Security

This policy defines a framework by which Coach House’s computer systems, assets, infrastructure and computing environment will be protected from threats whether internal, external, deliberate or accidental and how our Associates will ensure they meet the client’s own IT and related policies. The clients own policies will take precedence to ensure our Associates comply with all IT security requirements.

Key Principles:

• All computer systems, environments and information will be protected against unauthorised access whether this is within the client environment or remote working.
• All use of the clients IT facilities will comply with the clients IT Acceptable Use Policy.
• Information kept within Coach House systems will be managed securely, to comply with relevant data protection laws.
• All associates are required to familiarise themselves with the Coach House and clients policy, to adhere to it and comply with the requirements.

Physical Security

Any computer equipment in general office environments should be secured behind locked doors or protected by user log-out and or password protected screensavers whenever it is left unattended; and outside of general office hours.

Any portable equipment (such as laptops, memory sticks, CDs, PDAs etc) should use a log-on or power-on password wherever possible. Any unattended portable equipment should be physically secure, for example locked in an office or a desk drawer. When being transported in a vehicle they should be hidden from view. Associates should avoid storing sensitive information on portable equipment whenever possible.

Data Security

Coach House attaches great import to the secure management of the data it holds and generates and will hold associates accountable for any inappropriate mismanagement or loss of it.

Any copying – or original creation – of data onto any form of portable media transport device (Memory Stick, CD, DVD, External Hard Drive, PDA, portable music player, Laptop, etc.) or its transportation beyond the secure environment it was intended to be used within (systems environment, PC environment, campus, office etc) carries additional responsibilities for the individual undertaking such activity. This is only with the express permission of the client.

Anti-Virus Security

Coach House ensures that the latest anti-virus security has been download and installed on all of its systems. In addition Associates will comply with clients supplied equipment and policies.

 

Introducing the Team

David Dickinson heads up the consulting team and is the founder and Director of Coach House. David has over 20 years of experience of working within the regulated learning arena and he specialises in helping firms cut through the maze of regulatory challenges by offering straight forward and pragmatic advice. David has worked closely with and for several Regulators. He also has an extensive ‘Big 4’ consulting background. He has a thorough and deep understanding of Change Management and has run significant Transformation Programmes.

Our Associates

David is supported by a strong and experienced team of industry experts. They have a range of skills and expertise including:

• Regulation and Compliance
• Supervision and Enforcement
• Change Management
• Transformation
• Programme and Project Management
• Risk Management
• Training Needs Analysis
• Training design and delivery
• Competency Frameworks
• Performance Management
• Financial Crime
• Assessments
• SAP4 implementation
• Communications
• HR

We’ve included a snapshot of some of our associates to show you the regulatory expertise that make up the extensive Coach House Team.

Director-level people and change professional with particular expertise within the learning arena of the financial services sector. An in-depth understanding of developing and delivering business solutions and major change programmes gained over 30 years. Previously a ‘Big 4’ capability lead in the UK within the FS sector

Senior learning and organisational development consultant with a wealth of consulting and programme/project/portfolio management experience together with a strong delivery focus and highly creative approach within complex environments, having worked in the UK and overseas for leading financial services and regulatory, public and private sector organisations.

Management and development professional with over 25 years’ experience within the financial services industry: Solutions include the design and delivery of training courses including communication skills, sales skills, management development, leadership skills, and specialist FS subjects.

Highly experienced project manager with over 25 years in the Financial Services industry specialising in learning & development with particular expertise of the Retail Distribution Review and Mortgage Market Review. This experienced consultant has been involved in a wide range of transformational change programmes and has worked with professional and sector bodies as well as the Regulator.

Influential global learning and development consultant with c. 30 years’ experience of Financial Services and extensive capability expertise including developing learning strategy, organisational design and development, project management, design, management and implementation of learning programmes.

Learning & development professional specialising in e-learning design, development and implementation, with a comprehensive knowledge of relevant authoring tools, Learning Management Systems and standards such as SCORM and AICC. Also possesses and applies knowledge of instructional design, cognitive learning theories and appropriate implementation strategies for professional learning and development supported by digital multimedia.

An award winning e-learning designer and highly skilled trainer, having both developed and delivered on-line learning in many different environments. Project and business change professional experienced in delivering complex, large-scale people, process and technology transformation and culture change programmes. 17 years project and consulting experience with over 6 years with a ‘Big 4’ firm and over 10 years in senior industry roles. Transformation programmes include HR, procurement and finance for global and national clients. Experienced in working in matrix organisations and with various cultures.

Highly skilled trainer and consultant with a retail financial sales background and over eighteen years of independent learning and development experience. Specialist skills include supervisor training and assessment, technical training programmes, competency framework design, IT system implementation, product training, competency-based assessment and process design.