Decades of experience
turning complexity
into clarity.
About Will
I believe sustainable improvement begins by understanding what sits beneath the visible problem.
Schools and organisations rarely become unstable because of a single issue. Financial pressure, operational strain, staffing challenges, safeguarding concerns or declining outcomes are often symptoms of deeper structural misalignment.
My work focuses on helping schools and nurseries identify hidden pressures, stabilise systems and move forward with clarity, honesty and practical strategic thinking.
I work best in settings where calm leadership, difficult conversations and organisational rebuilding are needed.
Professional Background
I am an experienced school leader, strategic recovery practitioner and leadership coach with over two decades of experience across education leadership, organisational development and systems improvement.
Throughout my career, I have led through periods of significant challenge and change, including financial instability, safeguarding pressures, organisational restructuring, curriculum development and complex inclusion needs.
My approach combines strategic thinking with practical implementation. I am not interested in surface-level change or generic improvement plans. I believe lasting improvement comes from identifying root causes, rebuilding coherence and creating systems that are sustainable over time.
Leadership Philosophy
I am often drawn toward settings experiencing pressure, uncertainty or complexity.
Not because I enjoy crisis, but because these are the environments where honest leadership, clarity and strategic alignment matter most.
Colleagues often describe my strength as being able to identify the hidden risks, structural cracks and organisational pressures that sit beneath presenting issues. This systems-thinking approach allows me to support leaders in making sense of complex situations and building realistic pathways forward.
I believe strong leadership is not about creating the appearance of stability. It is about understanding reality clearly enough to build genuine stability over time.
Current Work
Through Mapleleaf Vision, I provide strategic recovery support, leadership coaching and organisational guidance for schools and nurseries navigating challenge, change or transition.
Recent work has included:
• organisational stabilisation
• strategic financial recovery
• strengthening safeguarding systems
• curriculum and inclusion development
• governance and leadership support
• operational and structural alignment
This work has been externally recognised through improvement partner evaluations, safeguarding reviews and leadership feedback.
Working Style
My approach is relational, reflective and grounded in real-world leadership experience.
I value:
• honesty over performance
• clarity over noise
• sustainable improvement over quick fixes
• strategic alignment over superficial change
I work collaboratively with leaders, governors and teams to create practical solutions that fit the realities of their setting.
Because meaningful recovery rarely starts with appearances.
It starts with understanding what is really happening beneath them.
Beyond Consultancy
Alongside strategic consultancy, I continue to offer career coaching and professional CV services for educators navigating change in their own professional journey.
These services sit alongside — rather than at the centre of — my work today, reflecting a long-standing commitment to supporting people as well as organisations.
A Personal Note
Will is a British-Canadian citizen with a lifelong passion for travel and a spirit of adventure. He finds balance and perspective in the wild freedom of the great outdoors, and still feels most at home in the mountains — a space that continues to shape his outlook on leadership, resilience and clarity.
Mapleleaf Vision was built from a belief that leadership should create clarity, stability and hope — especially during periods of uncertainty.
My work is about helping schools, individuals and organisations move from pressure and fragmentation toward coherence, confidence and sustainable direction.
Start a conversation
Professional
I first worked with Will whilst I was a junior member of a teaching team. I worked closely with him for around three years and he became a true mentor to me. During this time Will helped encourage me to discover my own leadership style and he mapped out what it takes to be successful. I highly recommend Will for leadership and career coaching.
Will is a professional, natural leader who manages to make you feel at ease. He manages to be both emphatic and encouraging, whilst also managing to challenge you to find your own answers. Will’s approach is totally non-judgmental and the sessions are really focused on you and on what you want to achieve. Working with Will has allowed me to address challenges I was facing and he brought a wealth of resources and practical tools to help me set goals, clarify my values, and explore avenues right away. Even though I left teaching 5 years ago, I still seek out Will for his help and guidance and I appreciate his versatility as a thought partner, ally, and coach. Our sessions are always productive and efficiently run, which is perfect for someone who is juggling many priorities! Will brings great communication, professionalism and quality to his work and I highly recommend him as a leadership/business coach.
~ Jamie T (Leadership Coaching)
CLARITY THROUGH TRANSITION
“Having open and honest conversations helped me gain clarity, perspective and confidence during a difficult professional transition. The coaching created space to think differently about the future.”
~ Headteacher Coaching Feedback
Highly recommended
Will at Mapleleaf Vision fitted me in for a last minute decision-making session that I needed to make ASAP regarding a job offer / career change. He was friendly, professional, and really knew his stuff! He unpicked things that I could never have done on my own. I’m so grateful to him and will be highly recommending him to everyone! Where there is a ‘Will’, there’s a way! Thank you, Will. You truly have a gift.
~ Cat K (Career Coaching)