Principal & Founder
Neil is the Founder and Principal of MindsOpen, where he routinely coaches CEOs and C-Suite executives and works with leadership teams to improve performance, shift culture and drive change. He plays a pivotal role in helping leaders and teams unlock new insights in order to take big strides forward. He achieves this through his relational style, being unafraid to ask the tough questions and opening minds to new and different possibilities. Other areas of specialism include leadership development, organizational development, organizational learning, creativity and leveraging relationships.
A business psychologist and executive coach, Neil has 25 years of global experience working with leaders, teams and organizations from a wide range of industries including investment and commercial banking, private equity, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, food and beverage, professional services, energy, healthcare, logistics, media and luxury. He has worked across the spectrum of Fortune 500s, high growth start-ups, non-profits and government organizations.
Prior to founding MindsOpen, Neil was a Managing Director at YSC, a global leadership consulting firm. As well as leading the Americas business, his client work included coaching, succession planning and team development.
Neil began his career in the UK working for the British Military, where he found his niche profiling officers for specialist roles. He then joined Scotland Yard, the police service for London, and was soon appointed Head of Psychology. He led a range of high profile assignments, including debriefing the UK police response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and completed a Fulbright Scholarship with the FBI. His last role at Scotland Yard was Director of Security Strategy for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He lives in New York City but remains a dedicated supporter of Leeds United, his hometown soccer team. He enjoys travel, contemporary art, modern design and film.
JPMorgan Chase, Lloyds Banking Group, Bain Capital, OTPP, Apax Partners, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Estée Lauder, Burberry, Heineken, Diageo, Virgin, Media Assembly, IPG, Dentsu Aegis, GlaxoSmithKline, Astra Zeneca, Boots Retail USA, Thomson Reuters, Sony Music, BP, Shell, National Grid, Datto, Baker McKenzie, Bakkavor, RB, Hertz, Loews Corporation, Christie’s, JUST Capital, Robin Hood, and Dress for Success.
M.Sc. Organizational Psychology University of Hull, UK B.A. Psychology University of Newcastle, UK
Associate Fellow, British Psychological Society Fulbright Scholar Newcastle University Business School North American Advisory Board Member Coaching Master Process, OPQ32, 16PF, LSI, MBTI, FIRO-B, Hogan, TKI
We add value by giving our point of view, based on experience and learning. We challenge you to help you get the best outcomes. At the same time, we listen attentively to what you need and want.
Why is our most important tool. We’re deeply curious and focused on discovering the underlying issues. We unlock new insights. We are constantly thinking about what’s next in our field.
We work in an empathetic, warm, trustworthy way. Our strength comes from the investment we make in relationships and our belief in the power of diversity. We have no tolerance for bullying or toxic behavior.
We only believe in doing work that has a tangible impact. Don’t waste your time and money otherwise. We work smartly and strategically. We’re at our best when our work makes a difference beyond people’s working lives.