Mark Anderson
We offer wellbeing programmes for senior executives which are holistic in approach and aim to improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Tell us about yourself?
I have worked with CEOs of SMEs for some years in peer learning groups and our retreats were regarded as the highlight of the year. People valued the opportunity to step back and have time to plan and set goals for the coming year.
People would bend over backwards to be at the annual retreat. This made me think that we should provide them for a wider audience.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Stay strong and have faith. Stay calm, clear, ordered, prepared.
What problem does your business solve?
Senior executives have been more adversely affected by the pandemic than other groups of staff. They experience stress and burnout at the best of times, but things have got worse over the last couple of years.
Many of them have difficulty admitting that there is a problem but their ill-health can have far-reaching consequences for the business in terms of poor performance, delayed decisions or absence.
There is a clear business case for senior executives investing in their health, something I have written about in this White Paper. https://online.flippingbook.com/view/128819790/
What is the inspiration behind your business?
We have seen the effect that our retreats have on people. They can be transformational and I don’t use that word lightly. We enable people to connect with a sense of purpose which gives them new energy, focus, direction and perspective.
What is your magic sauce?
We provide a wonderfully relaxing environment, space and time, working in confidential small groups to examine the things that really matter to people and have affected them, both positive and negative.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
To become better known for what we do, to make a difference to the lives of senior people, to expand and take on more people because we have created demand.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The pandemic was not ideal for an essentially in-person business. We thought about trying to deliver retreats online, but realised that the environment was a key factor that we couldn’t replicate on Zoom. We waited until we could run retreats in-person which were very successful but we lost 18 months.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
We’re looking for one or two influencers. Over time, if we are successful we will need more partners to deliver our programmes.
As for more clients, we’re looking for people who are aware how important their health is and want to make some far-reaching changes.
