Myles Downey, who founded the School of Coaching in 1996 with The Work Foundation, and sold up in 2009, is launching training business, The School of Coaching International (SoCI), with entrepreneurial company Growhouse.
The School of Coaching, a leading coach training provider for coaches and managers in Europe, was sold to JMJ Associates “with a sense that the mission had been achieved”, according to Downey. But the business world has shifted, with mounting austerity-related pressure and low employee engagement. Meanwhile, “coaching hasn’t adapted or digitised and it has far too strong a focus on development at the cost of performance.
“The need for high-quality coaching offerings is greater now than ever before,” said Downey.
The SoCI will train leaders and managers in coaching skills initially, then add programmes for professional service firm employees; project managers and, ultimately, training for business and sports coaches. Downey is currently working with the coaches for the Rugby England National Squad.
The SoCI is looking for experienced coaches with clients in the business community to act as ‘ambassadors’
for the SoCI.