BOARD MEMBER INTERVIEW 12th September 2013 – Martin Nolan
1. What do you do (in a nutshell?!)
I run a company which provides business training and leadership coaching to commercial
organizations in the North West helping them to increase revenues and profits, create jobs and drive
growth in the regional economy. I have also mentored the leaders of several social enterprises.
I am also a tutor on the Goldman Sachs funded 10,000 Small Businesses Programme which is run by
the Business Schools of Oxford University and Manchester Metropolitan University and am one of
the approved coaches on the Government’s Business Growth Accelerator Scheme which is
sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
2. What are you are most proud of in your life?
My circle of friends at home and abroad.
3. Who are your heroes/heroines?
I’ve always been spellbound by the stories of the early explorers – Mallory, Hillary & Tenzing, Scott
etc and also fascinated by the achievements of the great engineers such as Isambard Kingdom
Brunel, Telford and Stephenson.
4. If you had to give a younger you advice, what would you say?
The more you put in the more you get out (a cliché, I know, but true!)
5. What sums up your philosophy on life?
To be as happy as I possibly can be; we spend 70% of our lives at work so it’s important we
enjoy it! Also I want to “put back” into my family and the community whenever I can. The
average life span is 4,000 weeks – make the most of each one of them!
6. What do you do for fun outside of work?
Water ski-ing, all things boaty, running, snow ski-ing, any outdoor activities with the family
7. Is there any one you would like to work with or collaborate with?
I would like to get more involved with classical music – to find time to listen to more and
definitely to hear more live.
8. Can you describe one of your favourite projects to date?
10,000 small business program at MMU – having had 180 small businesses in the North
West through the program we’re now seeing an increase in jobs, revenues and profits and
therefore growth in the local economy
9. What key things/people have helped you get where you are in your career?
A particular manager 15 years ago who recognised more in me than others had and gave me
his time, sponsored me to move up in the business
My wife
Dan Pink: inspirational books and U-Tube videos that have influenced me
10. Do you have any new projects coming up?
I’d like to expand my role at MMU, specifically trying to attract Social Enterprises to the
programs we’re running.
I’d like to try my hand at a triathlon one day
11. Is there anything you could offer PANDA members?
Insider knowledge on business specifically around sales and marketing and finance for
business – help them understand the numbers they really need to grow and develop
12. Is there anything you would like from PANDA members?
Like them to use the network more to communicate with each other; take more advantage
of their network
The chance to see some of the members’ shows
13. Why did you join PANDA board? What do you like about PANDA?
I met Anne-Marie at the MMU course and came along to the Panda away day as an external
consultant. I began to realise exactly how much PANDA could offer to its members and I was
keen to join and contribute
14. If you hadn’t become a business coach and mentor what would you have become?
A water sport instructor; windsurfing/sailing