“The reality is I’ve always been training to be an Action Coach… I just never knew it”

Hear how ActionCOACH has transformed Andrew De Groot’s life for the better

Former managing director for HSBC’s global head of markets operations, Andrew De Groot, was faced with an ultimatum midway through the pandemic in 2021. When the business was restructured, Andrew could either take a role that would make him responsible for 9,000 people or leave the company with a sum of money he could use to create a new career path. Recognising redundancy could give him the chance to achieve his lifelong goal of giving back to his community by supporting budding entrepreneurs, he chose the latter option.

Andrew was awarded his Exeter-based ActionCOACH franchise in September 2021 and, since then, has secured the opportunity to expand into a further four exclusive territories with the world’s number 1 business coaching firm.

“The reality is I’ve always been training to be an Action Coach… I just never knew it,” shared Andrew. “Looking at my career journey - working for one-man bands to leadership roles with household brands – I’ve been growing businesses and teams my entire professional life.”

Investing in a brighter future

“Since my training with ActionCOACH began, I’ve significantly extended my business acumen and coaching capability,” Andrew explained. “I assumed because I excelled in my corporate positions across so many disciplines, business coaching would come naturally to me, but I soon came to realise I had underestimated how much I still had left to learn and how much hard work and dedication it takes to be a world-class coach.”

For Andrew, there are two parts to the encouragement ActionCOACH provides its clients and franchise partners – self-development and community. It is with this two-fold one-to-one support that Andrew has acquired 13 clients in his first year as a franchise partner.

“The support I’ve received has been truly outstanding,” he said. “You’re coached yourself every week, meaning you have first-hand experience of how much coaching can benefit a business owner, as well as a true understanding of the logistics of the sessions.

“ActionCOACH has created such a powerful community that helps me and other coaches to grow. I feel a part of the wider UK business community with access to global thought leadership – both through inspirational examples and business connections.”

Increasing the rate of success

As well as his career, Andrew’s home life has also been transformed. He explained: “After racking up half a million air miles, I decided it was time for me to come back to my family. The pandemic gave me a taster of what life could be like if I had a better work-life balance. I knew it was time for a new career venture that would allow me to help others grow, whilst simultaneously growing closer to my family.

“I plan to employ a handful of business coaches across my territories so I can make a difference to as many people as possible. As a marketplace goal, I have high ambitions to make 25 millionaires in Devon and Cornwall. Although these targets may seem adventurous, I know with my newly extended skillset and the support from ActionCOACH, I will be able to achieve them.”

If you want to build a business with scalability and longevity, make a difference in your local community and you’re the kind of person who:

A) loves learning and developing yourself;
B) has enjoyed success in your career or sport; and
C) is willing to invest if they see substantial rewards can be made…

Then find out more by visiting actioncoach.co.uk/franchise.

At a glance

Established:

1993 in Australia, 2001 in the UK

Number of franchised outlets:

  200+ in the UK

Location of units:

  UK

Investment range:

  £69,000

Minimum required capital:

  £20,000