Meet the Founders

We bring collective experience of over 60 years in industry, working with some of the smallest and largest corporations and some brilliant people. We have helped transform businesses, launch new start-ups, joined companies together and turned others around. We’ve even grown several of our own businesses from scratch, the most recent to over €30m.

We have decided to combine forces for our next chapter in life. Our mission is to take everything we have learnt from all our successes and failures to help others fast track through the complexities of business life. In so doing, we aspire - quite simply & earnestly, to transform people’s lives. It really is all about the People...

Portrait of Neil Sharp one of the Founders of SVP Coaching


  • Founder

    After Legal & General and Swiss Re, for the past 28 years I have been the owner and leader of various management consultancy businesses, culminating in PEN Partnership, which was sold to Wavestone in 2024. I also established the philanthropic PEN Trust.

    In my role as a coach my purpose is helping people at all levels to change, grow and overcome their biggest challenges. As a specialist in Customer Experience I have a keen interest in working with CX leaders to overcome the many barriers I have seen and experienced over the past 25 years working in this specialism. I also get huge fulfillment from in helping leaders of SME's and charities to prosper whilst deepening their sense of purpose.

Portrait of Richard Vale one of the Founders of SVP Coaching

  • Founder


    I’ve spent the bulk of my career (over 30 years!) in business and technology transformation, primarily in the Financial Services sector. As a consultant, I’ve worked with global banks, insurers, and asset managers, while also branching into industries like gaming, pharmaceuticals, and law. As an entrepreneur, my CV includes owning a pub (favourite job title: “Innkeeper”) and founding multiple ventures, some successful, others rich in lessons. Along with Neil, I was one of the founders of PEN Partnership, a great chapter in my life.

    As a Transformation Coach, I help people create meaningful change in their businesses, careers, and lives. I believe passionately in a peer-to-peer relationship with my clients—regardless of background, title, or life experience. Coaching, for me, is two people thinking and working together to move forward with intention and clarity.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!