Wayne grew up in a very humble household in Yorkshire, the eldest of four children, and recognised that he needed to do something outside the norm to improve his destiny. He joined the Royal Marines at just 17 years of age having been inspired by the Falklands War. Within hours of arriving on the platform at the Commando Training Centre, he knew he had found his new family.

His career is exemplary; having commissioned through the ranks, a highly decorated Officer in the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). He has more than three decades experience of operating in adversity, in the most challenging of situations, and in some of the world’s most hostile environments. He has conducted hostage rescue operations, Non Combatant Evacuation Operations, Offensive Actions, and Surveillance Operations all over the World, working alongside many other government organisations and intelligence agencies. He was involved in every major conflict from the mid-80s’ until his retirement from the military in 2017, and held a range of key appointments, both in combat and at headquarters level, including a two-year command assignment with the United States Seal Team Six.

During his tenure as the Officer charged with Recruiting, Selecting and Training new Special Forces Operators, Wayne developed a particular interest in Human Performance and developed a holistic programme based on resilience, physicality and technical ability now used across all specialist military units and beyond.

Wayne has coached and mentored people from different backgrounds and with diverse capabilities, helping to develop their leadership skills, build resilience, and provide personal, tactical, operational and strategic guidance.

During his transition, and since leaving his role with UKSF, Wayne has led numerous expeditions and challenges all around the World. He was the first serving Officer to walk unsupported to both the North and South Poles, he co-established a new route on the North Face of Kilimanjaro, and has led teams across the Sahara, through Vietnam and Cambodia, and South and Central America raising millions for charities.

As a result of the experiences, both during his military career and beyond, Wayne has developed a deep understanding of the need for mental aptitude and resilience as well as for physical strength and skill. He also recognises the significance of the subtler skills, such as effective communication in personal and leadership development, and the importance of strong emotional bonds, shared values, goals and beliefs that help foster belonging to create a high-performance culture. Wayne is accredited by the International Coaching Federation.

He has advanced diplomas in Leadership and Management from the Institute of Learning and Management and Coaching and Mentoring from the Chartered Management Institute.

Wayne is also a Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) practitioner, and he was trained by the Hostage Crisis Negotiation Unit (HCNU) as a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator. X

Born in the Lancashire town of Wigan it was inevitable that whilst growing up Joe would never be too far from the sport of Rugby. Playing in the first ever curtain-raiser to the Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1975, aged 11, galvanised this sporting connection. A professional playing career spanning 12 years with Widnes, Wigan and the Sydney based Eastern Suburbs Rugby League clubs, was to follow. Time as a professional athlete within such highly competitive sporting organisations provided huge experience and a plethora of team and individual awards. Domestic achievements lead to international honours with 32 appearances for Great Britain RL and 3 GB Lions tours to the southern hemisphere. 

In parallel to his rugby playing career Joe also gained a degree in graphic design which helped shape a greater understanding of the need and benefits of continuous individual development and learning. 

When retiring from playing in 1994 Joe embarked on a career in coaching and management within both codes of Rugby. Joining the Rugby Football Union in 1999, Joe coached within the England national player pathway and England Sevens programmes before being appointed as assistant coach for the senior England Rugby squad in 2003.

A move back to Rugby League in 2006 as the Chief Executive of Wigan Warriors was then followed by key performance appointments within international talent identification and development for the Welsh, English and Irish Rugby Football Unions. 

In summary, Joe has a wealth of experience within highly competitive team environments and competition coupled with an ongoing drive for developing performance, leadership and belonging.

Joe looks forward to supporting you and your professional journey. X