After serving twenty seven years and retiring as the Quartermaster of 59 Commando in 2011, Chris set about a new career in Woodland Management and small-scale farming; using his Shire Horse Alice to extract the timber; the horse was also used in the summer months to conduct conservation works on Exmoor National Park when the bracken was growing strongly. 

A freak accident whilst in a competition effectively ended his lifestyle overnight.  The resulting financial difficulties had a huge impact on him.  Unable to see a return to his passion, the idyllic lifestyle was gone.  Financial worries and the decline in his farming activities led Chris to a spiral of despair, unable to tell or ask anybody for help.  This manifested into Depression and elements of PTSD.  

Chris believes that time for deliberate thought is now a rare commodity or skill, the ongoing rapid development of technology does not replace the requirement for human interaction. Wellness, wellbeing and complexity management are emergent organisational challenges that cannot be confronted in isolation.  Having experienced both ends of the mental wellbeing spectrum Chris passionately believes that the coaching conversation explores the ‘here and now’ enabling resolutions to destabilising thoughts and actions that impact team performance.  This was his route back towards thriving.

Chris lives in France just south of Paris and delivers talks on the Mental Wellbeing Spectrum for INSEAD Business School.  He also runs his own talent management and coaching practice.  He laughs that he can get into London quicker than he could whilst living in North Devon.