Meet your team

Scaffold Coaching supports technically brilliant professionals, specialising in the consulting, construction, engineering, education, government and the creative industries to grow into confident, capable, compassionate leaders.

These sectors often promote technically skilled individuals into leadership roles without always equipping them for the people side of leadership.

That’s where we come in. Supporting technically brilliant professionals to become confident, capable leaders.

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A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a green blazer and black top, giving a presentation in a conference room. She is smiling, holding a microphone in one hand, and gesturing with the other. There are people sitting at tables in front of her, with some papers and a red coffee cup visible on the table.
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Our Values

Our values aren’t words on a wall; they’re how we deliver on our purpose. They shape the questions we ask, the space we create, and the standards we hold, so leaders leave more confident, capable and compassionate.

  • Ask with curiosity: We challenge ourselves to frame the question that gets to the heart of the matter, always before making statements.

  • Meet others with empathy: We treat people how they want to treated, not as we prefer, building trust through understanding rather than assumption.

  • Accountability with care: We do what we say and hold ourselves, and others, to account, with care.

  • Make space for clarity: We listen deeply and give people room to think and find meaning,  instead of rushing to fill the silence.

  • Growing ourselves and others: We build confidence, capability and compassion—not just get things done. And we walk the talk by investing in our own growth.

Two people. One purpose.

We combine coaching psychology with practical, people-focused development. Because when leaders understand themselves better, they lead better.

Our Purpose

We help people better understand themselves so they can create better outcomes for their people, organisation and society.

Because when leaders understand themselves better, they lead better.

Our Mission

We build better leaders by helping technically brilliant professionals become confident, capable and compassionate. We do this by blending coaching psychology with practical, purpose-aligned development to turn self-understanding into measurable impact.

Our Commitment To Making A Difference

We exist to deliver measurable impact with pre- and post-assessments and experience tracking through industry-leading NPS scores. We work sustainably using low carbon travel options, digital-first materials and are proud members of the Climate Coaching Alliance (CCA). Above all, we create inclusive, psychologically safe spaces so everyone can learn and lead better.

Meet John

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John Tattersall has 40 years’ business experience, having spent much of this career in banking, advising a range of businesses and corporate real estate clients, before moving into leadership coaching, where his passion lies in helping people realise their potential.

For the past 15 years, John has supported executive leaders and senior teams to grow in confidence and clarity by using their values as a foundation to their self development. Known for his thoughtful, incisive questions, John helps leaders unlock insight, solve their own problems, and make better decisions with life-changing results.

Outside coaching, John finds perspective on the golf course, the football terraces, and while mountain biking through Yorkshire’s hills.

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Meet Rachael

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Rachael Sullivan brings 20 years of experience in corporate leadership and team development. She began her career in marketing communications, progressing quickly into senior roles managing large teams and working with board-level stakeholders for global brands.

In 2014, she left the corporate world to complete a Master’s in Coaching Psychology, founding Scaffold Coaching soon after. Her coaching focuses on building self-awareness, insight and perspective to grow with intention. Alongside coaching and facilitation, Rachael also brings expertise in business strategy and designing internal development programmes.

Rachael balances work with family life and two young children. She’s Hogan certified, holds a BSc in Marketing, and has completed TA 101 in Transactional Analysis.

Connect on LinkedIn
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What Makes Us Different?

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  • Tune into our Building Better Leaders podcast and LinkedIn newsletter. Thorough these free resources we provide practical insights including coaching tips, leadership tools, and fresh perspectives to support your leadership journey.

  • With over 50 years combined corporate experience, we understand the demands, pressures and politics of modern leadership – and how to navigate them.

  • Our work is grounded in coaching psychology and behavioural science. Rachael holds a Master’s in Coaching Psychology, which we apply in practical ways to support real behavioural change and high performance.

  • As a small consultancy, we work closely with you to understand your culture, people and context – designing bespoke programmes that truly fit.

  • You get two expert trainers, facilitators and coaches – bringing diverse perspectives, more dynamic discussion, and a balanced female/male facilitation team.

  • Our Building Better Leaders programme has an average Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 73, based on 240 submissions – well above industry benchmarks.

    We also offer pre and post programme evaluations, giving you real data on progress on the impact.

Meet the Team

  • Hogan Certified logo with a red and black design and text, partially obscured but includes the word 'horizon'.

    We're Hogan assessment-certified

    We’re certified to administer and interpret HPI, HDS and MVPI—giving leaders evidence-based insight into strengths, risk factors and values.

  • Neon sign with the number 73 NPS inside a wavy circular border, glowing light blue on a black background.

    Net Promoter Score of 73.

    Best in class delivery across 240+ participants 2024/2025.

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    30,000 hours of leadership training delivered.

    Together, John & Rachael have spent the last 10 years developing leaders across multiple sectors .

  • Climate Coaching Alliance Logo

    We're CCA Members

    Meaning we’re accountable to low-carbon, climate-responsible practice and plugged into a global community of science and ethics.

  • A graphic design layout with a gray header that says 'ACCREDITED TRAINING PROVIDER'. Below, there are words in various sizes and shades of gray: 'The Laid Bare Company', 'Conversations that matter!', and 'Programme'.

    Conversations that matter accredited.

    We are an accredited provider of practice-led training to foster psychological safety, purposeful dialogue, and accountable conversations.

  • Line drawing of a man and woman with a lightbulb above them, representing an idea or brainstorming.

    Two heads instead of one.

    You get two expert trainers and facilitators – bringing diverse perspectives and greater care.

  • Line drawing of a woman holding a large puzzle piece.

    Personalised service, every step of the way.

    You work directly with us. Bespoke support, flexible access, and you only pay for what you need.

Building Brilliant Leaders at the University of Hull

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The University of Hull partnered with Scaffold Coaching to develop over 100 middle-managers through a bespoke 18-month Building Brilliant Leaders programme—during a period of significant restructuring and low morale. The aim: to build confident, resilient, and values-driven leaders who could navigate complexity with courage and clarity.

Read more
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Curious about how we can help build better leaders in your organisation?

Please complete the contact us form.

Email: leaders@scaffoldcoaching.com

Or call Rachael on: 0753 553 5352