The Catalyst programmes

From first job to stepping into leadership.

The Catalyst Programmes

I’ve built two separate programmes, each tailored to a different pivotal moment in a career:

Catalyst Early Careers Programme – for graduates, apprentices and others in their first years at work
Catalyst Emerging Leaders Programme – for managers stepping into leadership or leading larger teams

Each is a standalone twelve-week programme that builds the human skills that matter most at work and are rarely taught: self-awareness, confidence, resilience, communication and the ability to bring others with you. The two share the same proven structure, but each has its own twelve modules, designed around its moment.

How each programme runs

Each programme follows the same structure, designed so the learning sticks and turns into lasting change in how people work.

12 weekly 90-minute workshops

4 small-group reflection sessions to embed the learning

4 one-to-one coaching sessions, from before the programme starts to after it ends

Around 30 hours in total, over three months

Cohorts of 10–12, run online or on site

Tailored to your organisation if you wish

Choose your programme

Each Catalyst programme has twelve modules, grouped into three themes. Choose the one that matches the moment you, or your people, are in right now. For experienced leaders, one-to-one coaching may be the better fit.

Catalyst Early Careers Programme

Helping graduates and apprentices thrive from day one. For people in their first years at work, making the leap from education into a fast-moving world of work.

Three themes: Building solid foundations · Working with others · Growing your impact

Explore Early Careers →

Catalyst Emerging Leaders Programme

Helping new leaders grow into confident, resilient leaders. For managers moving into leadership or leading larger teams, however long they’ve been managing.

Three themes: Foundations of leadership · Leading others and teams · Strategic leadership

Explore Emerging Leaders →

Executive coaching

Already leading at a senior level? One-to-one coaching gives you space to think and the courage to act, on the challenges that matter most to you right now.

Explore coaching →

Built on a proven pilot

Pilot participants rated the modules between 8.9 and 9.6 out of 10, across more than 60 feedback scores. Every workshop blends lived insight, research and practical tools for real-world use and the one-to-one coaching helps each person turn what they learn into lasting change.

In their own words

“I really appreciated how evidence-based the programme was, drawing on research from neuroscience and psychology. Combined with Rich’s curious and empathetic facilitation style, it was a really nice blend of the technical and the human … Rich is a superb leader, coach and human being; a treasure-trove of wisdom.”
– James Lewis, Catalyst Emerging Leaders Programme

“The Catalyst Emerging Leaders Programme is deeply insightful, practical, and genuinely impactful. Through thoughtfully designed exercises, it encourages meaningful introspection and helps uncover blind spots that may have previously gone unnoticed, gently shifting perspective. Richard’s warmth and grounded delivery, shaped by years of experience, creates a space that feels both safe and inspiring. The programme stands out as a meaningful milestone in the leadership growth journey.”
– Prachi Jayant, Catalyst Emerging Leaders Programme

“It felt like the perfect opening module to what comes ahead on the course.”
– Pilot participant, Module 1 (Leading self)

“It offered a fresh and valuable perspective by shifting focus from fixing shortcomings to leveraging strengths more effectively.”
– Pilot participant, Module 2 (Strengths-based leadership)

“I have found them extremely thought-provoking. They have also caused me to … recognise my talents, and not be stuck in a ‘negative loop of doom’.”
– Pilot participant, Module 3 (Mindset)

“The content was tangible, helpful, and grounded in practical frameworks that felt easy to apply.”
– Pilot participant, Module 4 (Coaching and feedback)

“It was relevant to what we do every day, in how we communicate to others, and not just to senior leaders, but to everyone around us.”
– Pilot participant, Module 6 (Storytelling and communication)

“I really value the way you speak during the session – there is no rush, and everything is explained clearly …”
– Pilot participant, Module 8 (Resilience, energy and performance)

What participants take away

An authentic voice

Ways of showing up at work that feel true to you and work for others.

Greater confidence

Moving from “am I doing this right?” to knowing how you work and lead.

Clearer thinking

Asking good questions and deciding with confidence when the path isn’t clear.

Communication and influence

Speaking up with confidence, building relationships and bringing others with you.

High-performing teams

Understanding what makes high-trust, high-performing teams and how to play your part.

A cohort of peers

Learning alongside others facing similar challenges and building a network that lasts.

Coaching support

Time and space to reflect, reframe challenges and turn feedback into growth.

A practical toolkit

Frameworks, language, habits and tools you can use straight away.

Bring Catalyst to your organisation

I run Catalyst cohorts for graduates, apprentices and new managers, online or on site, with dates that fit your calendar. I also run tailored workshops for teams.

Talk to me about a cohort →

Joining as an individual? Register interest in the next open cohort →