Sheila Duncan UK Director of Resourcing & Development (ScottishPower)

Stillpoint Associates were engaged to undertake a programme of work to increase the coaching capability of our management teams, predominantly senior manager level from a number of functions, including Finance & Commercial, Customer Collections, Sales and Marketing.  These programmes have each been tailored to the individual requirements of the team concerned.

Programme Success
The feedback from participants has consistently been positive both in terms of own personal growth and equally important, their ability to motivate their teams during periods of significant organisational change.  However the impact that we value most has been how the teams involved have improved their performance through a shared understanding of their team goals and each individual’s contribution.  This work has raised the level of communication, removed some of the distracting factors with the teams and enabled managers to focus on the important aspects of performance.

We are pleased with the impact of our investing in a programme which works closely with the individual – to understand themselves and in so doing learn how to understand others.  Our managers have found this personal approach to be different and enlightening.  We see this investment as an important personal motivator in itself.  As a result of individuals being able to apply the benefits in many parts of their life, we found that subsequently individual have put in tremendous personal time and commitment to their development in the workplace, much more so than on other occasions.  Although initially slighted concerned that this approach may lead to some individuals moving on to new things outside ScottishPower, this does not appear to have happened.  In practice this work has increased individuals personal commitment and certainly “new opportunities” have development for people, but always with the organisation in away which is beneficial for all concerned.

We will continue to utilize their services for the foreseeable future and I would recommend them to any prospective organization.  Overall we found them to have made a significant difference to our businesses and believe them to offer a real return on our investment.

Clare Lees, Energy Retail Business Risk & Control Manager

My coaching relationship with Ann Stevenson started as part of the Impact for Change Coaching programme designed for leaders which I found to be incredibly inspiring.

Professionally, the course has allowed me to gain an improved focus as well as a different perspective to coaching my team. The information and techniques that are introduced throughout the course form an excellent toolkit that is very easy to implement and use and become a more effective leader. This is only a part of the journey because not only did course and subsequent coaching sessions help me in my professional life, but also in my personal life too.

Ann’s coaching has completely transformed the way I see, and feel, about myself. It gave me the opportunity to really look at myself and change those things I did not like, keep what I did. I felt so comfortable through the whole journey thanks to Ann’s supreme skill at finding the right questions, challenging when required and always this was done with absolute respect and integrity.

I have found the coaching experience to be truly inspirational, challenging, informative and entertaining. I would recommend Ann to anyone who is looking for a coach – she is truly exceptional.

Gwen Mendelssohn, Human Resources Business Partner Scottish Widows Investment

My coaching relationship with Ann Stevenson commenced in 2003 when I requested that my employer, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership appoint her as my coach.  I had worked with Ann in a professional capacity for a couple of years and was confident that her coaching approach would inspire trust and confidence - as well as providing challenge when necessary!  I discovered that Ann blends her coaching skills with her business knowledge to ensure that her clients can discuss both personal and professional issues.  I found that her approach helped me to gain greater clarity and inspired me to move forward with any scenario I brought to the table.  I have since recommended Ann to a number of colleagues and receive consistently positive feedback.  She appears to possess a unique ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of different people - borne out of a genuine respect for their individuality.   As a consequence, I would have no hesitation in recommending Ann as a coach to any individual or business.

Brian Wood,14-19 Education Consultant

I can honestly say that my life – both professionally and personally – has been transformed radically as a result of the superb coaching relationship that I’ve been fortunate to maintain with Lynn Hull over the last five years. From the very first session I felt immense benefit from someone whose astonishingly consistent expertise, sensitivity and honesty has uplifted and empowered me. In focusing exclusively on my constantly changing agenda and a range of very real issues, I have come to understand myself at a deep level and to appreciate the impact I have on others in all walks of my life. The personal benefit I found from co-active coaching led me over a year ago to enrol on a Stillpoint Associates coaching programme myself and, nurtured each step of the way by Lynn and Ann Stevenson, I feel that I have added a new dimension to my professional portfolio. In my work in education with a wide-ranging number of agencies and individuals, the coaching experience I have developed under the expert tuition of both Lynn and Ann has been invaluable. I would recommend Stillpoint Associates without reservation to any organization or individual looking to improve personal growth and professional performance.

Nina Parker, Open University Student and erstwhile Teacher

I have personally known Lynn since my childhood, when we met through a shared hobby, a meeting that was to help shape my life to the present day.

When Lynn began coaching, I never questioned that she would be adept at it.   It was putting a name to what she had always been anyway, a teacher of life. Going through one of my ‘ebbs’ in her early stages of coaching she asked if I would allow her to coach me.  I instinctively felt that she knew it would be more for my benefit rather than my being her guinea pig.  From my negative experience Lynn’s guidance has made me embrace life’s difficulties and as a result I’m now finishing an extended period of study on the path to a new career.

To describe Lynn as an inspiration is to undersell her abilities.  She is a leader, a friend, a confidante, a gritty realist and aspirational figure. Lynn understands life’s ebbs and flows.  I have seen her struggle on her own progression, juggling many different roles in her quest to improve, that ever-burning passion always there, even after a full day at work and studying to the early hours.

To have someone like Lynn in your life is like winning the bonus prize in a draw.  No-one ever needs money, possessions, guaranteed health as much as they think they do. What everyone needs is someone who understands what the real passions in life are . . .. life and living it.


Mark Garside, Group Learning and Development Manager, Domestic and General Group Ltd

I had the very fortunate experience of meeting Lynn at a meeting some years
ago now and through conversation she agreed to coach me. What impressed me, and is so often missing in other coaches I have met, is that she is gentle,
persistent, understanding and yet challenging. I always felt Lynn was with
me and had her arms around me.

Over time, and without Lynn knowing this, her support, coaxing and total belief in me helped me embark on the most life-changing experience; something I wanted with all my heart but just didn't know I could ever do.  She gave me a belief in myself that I could do this and that it was just fine to know this even though I had no idea how I was going to do it.

As a coach you could not ask for more: visionary yet pragmatic, understanding yet demanding, soft and yet firm. Lynn is a person who doesn't throw a prescriptive coaching methodology at you; instead it feels like a wonderful dance. At the end of the day, Lynn got massive results for me and I thank you yet again Lynn.