Transformative ideas.
Hello. I'm Saul.
a Strategist, Coach & Artist.
I specialise in transformative ideas that help individuals and organisations create better futures.
I have a unique approach that combines Strategy, through provocative thinking and intuitive frameworks, Creativity, that builds bridges between people, ideas, today & the future and Psychology, using approaches that work with the challenges & opportunities of being a human, not despite them.
It’s because of my deep expertise in each of these disciplines, that my work can be so powerful for the organisations I consult to, the people I coach, the students I guide, and those who kindly appreciate my art.
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
STRATEGY
Associate Fellow and Strategy & Innovation Tutor, Saïd Business School, Oxford University. Senior Advisor & Fellowship Faculty Member, Centre For Democracy & Peace Building. Former EMEA Chief Strategy Officer and Member of Global Executive Board, Y&R/VML; Chief Strategy Officer, Special Projects, WPP. Effectiveness Jury President.
CREATIVITY
Award winning creative (including Cannes Glass Grand Prix, Titanium, WARC Global Innovation Prize). Storytelling expert. Abstract & Figurative Artist. Global Advisory Board, New York Festivals and The CMO Council. TedX ‘What makes a great idea?’. Former Member of Global Creative Board Y&R/VML and Chief Marketing Officer, United Nations, World Food Programme (2020 Nobel Peace Prize).
PSYCHOLOGY
Part-time Behavioural scientist. Advisory Board Member at MyMynd, Mental Health Platform. Expert Advisor and Mentor, Saïd Business School, Oxford University. Vipassana Meditator since 2005. Leadership Academy Mentor and Former Cognitive Psychologist, Durham University.
CONSULTING AND ADVISORY
Transformative thinking, ideas and action. I offer three intrinsically linked types of help to organisations. These are either as a consultant, an ongoing adviser or trainer.
BUSINESS & INNOVATION STRATEGY
At the very centre of an organisation is what it does and how it does it. I have a unique ‘Transformative Theory’ based model of strategy for both core business and innovation.
It’s hard to be different if you are using the same system as everyone else (think Vision, Mission and Purpose). This approach is as grounded and practical for the entire organisation, as it is motivating inside and out, as a business driver and innovation engine.
BRAND STRATEGY
I prefer to call this a ‘Framing strategy’ because essentially it is how to re-frame the organisation, its products or service in such a way that delivers maximum interest and engagement from key audiences.
It starts with finding an idea that is grounded in the category but about much more than the category.
To ultimately create a sense that it is in a category of one.
MARKETING & CREATIVE STRATEGY
Effective marketing is about connecting the commercial objectives, the market performance to the behaviour change required. It’s incredibly easy to overcomplicate, so I keep it simple:
I work backwards from the audience: Who, Needs to do What, by When. Defining their most potent triggers and barriers, the organising idea and then the activities needed: What do we do, when and where. And measure as many of these steps as you can.
There are certain skills that are ‘meta’, they are important for everything else. Who doesn’t need to be more creative? Who wouldn’t benefit from being a better storyteller, persuader? Who wouldn’t want to be a better leader?
I offer bespoke highly interactive training in all these areas, born of expertise and experience in psychology, commercial creativity, global C-suite leadership and art.
CAPABILITY TRAINING
PERFORMANCE STORYTELLING
Storytelling is what transforms logic and facts into engagement and persuasion.
Learn different methods to shape a story from elevator pitches, investment pitches, thought leadership to communications.
BEING MORE CREATIVE
Develop the secrets to being more creative in every aspect of your life.
Learn systems, frameworks & psychological hacks, including the importance of psychological empowerment (vs psychological safety).
AGILE LEADERSHIP
Leadership is as difficult as it is misunderstood. But there are key principles that can make us all better leaders.
Learn about the difference between executive/symbolic authority and real authority. About the importance of starting conditions. About the importance of Bonfires, Fireworks and Sparklers in leading change.
“Saul was the true brains behind the great positioning and creative we worked on together.
He has built his career and reputation in truly understanding consumers and businesses, building powerful transformational ideas, speaking the truth to power, while also being a truly wonderful human being.”
-Danielle Crook-Davis, Former EMEA Marketing Director, Netflix
EXECUTIVE & LIFE COACHING
Transformative life strategy
Transformative life strategy
Why should you bother with coaching?
Most of us feel blocked or a little unclear at some point in our lives, especially when we are going through a transition, which most of us are, most of the time. The DIY approach also often can only get you so far, it often helps to have an outside perspective on things, it can unlock insights and unblock action. But it needs to be a perspective that has depth and breadth, one that helps you find the answers to your own questions.
Why coaching with me?
I am not an ordinary coach. I think of coaching as finding and shaping your ‘Life Strategy’. This approach can turn what feels like a challenging time into an opportunity for growth and transformation. My approach combines my experience as a cognitive psychologist, award winning strategist, c-suite leader, creative thinker and artist to help you look at things in a different way. It can be as simple as a quick intervention that helps see the situation differently and defines next steps. It can be a longer term engagement, using my ‘Living Conviction System’, first developed for the Centre for Democracy & Peace Building Fellowship Programme. It depends on the person, their needs and their resources.
I work with all kinds of people from University students, Olympic Champions, Global C-Suite executives to people entering retirement.
LIFE, CAREER & LEADERSHIP COACHING
1 ON 1 COACHING
One on one coaching can really helpful in making sense of things, both in the moment but overtime. Particularly in three intrinsically linked ways:
Help you reflect better: The ability to step in and outside of yourself is considerably easier.
Clarity: On what's really important for you, who you want to be and what you want to do.
Action: A partner in getting things done, helping with better systems but also acting as an 'action partner' accountability and motivation to do.
I can help you do all of these things.
LIVING WITH CONVICTION
SELF-PACED COACHING PROGRAMME
One-on-one not for you ? Then this course maybe. Join a coaching community and get access to all the tools and exercises from my real-time coaching programs, available when you need it, at a time that suits you.
3 months+ of coaching content and exercises.
Learn how to do three foundational skills: Reflect. Reveal. Realise.
Built from a proven system used by over 500 people.
Fits around your life and your needs.
“Truly an honor to have an hour of his time. If you get the chance to do the same, do not pass it up. Not only is it a conversation you’ll enjoy, but it will leave you better off than when you came in.”
“I wanted to thank you for your time over the last few months. I found our conversations incredibly valuable. You provided a new perspective and shared advice that I really look forward to implementing.”
Adam E, USA. Coaching Client
Lucy B. Coaching Client
aRT
ABSTRACT AND FIGURATIVE ARt
My wife Amelie encouraged me to return to art after a long time away, and my god am I glad she did. It brings joy to me and also now many others. My work is born of an exploration of shapes and sequence. Of capturing the essence of what I see and feel. I go where I feel like going in the moment, sometimes I have an idea, other times one comes as I work. I make two broad types of art: Big ‘Triptychs’ (sets of three) usually 50X65 and in double or triple density charcoal, like the ‘Orbital flow triptych’ seen here, and smaller, more intimate landscapes in pencil and watercolour, usually in A4 and predominantly landscapes.
I sell Limited Edition runs of certain prints, you can sign up for upcoming sales updates below.
“Your triptychs are just fabulous, can’t wait to receive the prints.”
Sophie P, USA
“It’s beautiful, it captures something I couldn’t see, I love it.”
Zoe T, Greece
DISCOVER MY NEWSLETTER
A weekly newsletter with a simple ambition: To find practical ideas and thinking tools to better live and work by. Ways to reflect better, ways to reveal what is most important, ways to realise those ambitions in the lives we lead and the work we do.