Nick Steel
Nick believes we can all achieve more than we think we can and will partner with you to succeed. He adapts his coaching approach to suit you as an individual and your specific challenges.
Talk to Nick
Send me an email: nctsteel@gmail.com
Call me: +44 (0) 782 484 8591

Industries I have worked in:
- Energy
- Management consultancy
- Charity
What services do you offer?
Individual Coaching
Mentoring
Consultancy
What’s been my biggest leadership challenge?
Leading a global team (300-500 technical professionals from 30+ nationalities operating in 20+ countries) through 4 years of significant corporate change and uncertainty (4 CEOs, commodity-price crash and being acquired for $54bn in one of the world’s largest corporate deals of 2015).
What made it so difficult?
Supporting and motivating individuals to prepare and position themselves to ‘put their best foot forward’, to take ownership of their decisions, whilst still delivering ‘business as planned’ and reshaping the organization for resilience under sustained low commodity prices.
What helped me overcome this challenge?
A belief that my role, and that of fellow leaders in the organization, was to support our teams to develop and demonstrate their capabilities, actively pursue their personal development to access their potential, and to deliver the business goals excellently, to create a ‘win/win’ ‘best of both’ outcome for individual and corporation.
What did I learn?
Communication is critical in times of uncertainty. Even when there is little new to say, individuals want to know you are listening and endeavouring to understand their personal challenges, whilst empathically helping them see they retained ownership; at the same time trying to be self-compassionate.
What’s my style as a thinking partner?
My coaching practice builds on personal experience of leadership and executive positions, formal coach training, and being an Adaptive/Para rowing coach (there is no single way to make the boat go faster).
If we choose to work together, I will adapt my coaching approach to suit you as an individual and your specific challenges drawing upon a variety of evidence-based techniques.
My coaching presence is underpinned by a sense of purpose, supportive challenge, and personal values (authentic, committed, compassionate, connected, and curious).
What's my professional background?
I have over 30 years’ international upstream energy experience in technical and senior leadership roles within a wide range of operating environments and company scales, from multinationals to local charities, and have lived and worked overseas.
I share my love of learning as a visiting lecturer, my mission to make rowing more accessible as a trustee of Love Rowing, and use my business skills to support young adults with disabilities as Fundraising Director for a local charity.
I have a Professional Certificate in Coaching from Henley Business School, where I am undertaking a part-time MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change. I am a Chartered Geologist and mentor young professionals for a variety of energy industry professional bodies.
Who have I worked for?
- Acrometis UK Ltd
- Sheffield Business School
- Vanwall Resources
- BG Group (acquired by Shell)
- Rashpetco & Burullus
- ENI
What do I do away from work?
I am a proud husband and father to two grown-up children, who I continuously learn from. I am a passionate competitive veteran rower, scuba diver and skier, and am fortunate that my family share these interests.
What credentials and qualifications do I have?
- Henley Business School – Professional Certificate in Coaching
- Member of International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- Chartered Geologist (C Geol)
- MSc Petroleum Geology (Imperial College, London)
- British Rowing Coach
What people are saying
“I started working with Nick after leaving a role as CEO for international business. Going through this change left my thinking clouded and uncertain. Thanks to Nick investing time in me (and that’s Nick’s most amazing attribute; he engages at a deep personal level with a strong desire to help), allowing me to reflect, refocus and start looking for my next challenge with renewed vigour. I can’t thank Nick enough for taking me on this journey of self-discovery and helping me move forward.”
Jim, former CEO, energy sector
“Through my conversations with Nick I changed my whole point of view, At the end of the course I had a clear, confident and exciting view of the future. Nick’s style is patient, wise and considerate. Just what you need to get to the root of a problem and develop your own solution.”
Michael, Business Performance Manager, energy sector
Nick’s Contact Details
To explore how we could help you, please get in touch. It starts with a conversation.
Catalyst Thinking Partners is a collaborative community of like-minded coaches. Each of us operates our own practice and all contractual arrangements with clients are managed through these separate entities.