about us

Schooled on leadership through a mix of practical and academic; as an Officer in the Royal Navy and the Royal Hong Kong Police, and senior advisor to a number of global companies.  A skipper in the BT Global Challenge, the world’s toughest yacht race, and as part of the winning team skiing to the Magnetic North Pole. 

Over the last 20 years, Manley has worked with an extraordinary range of organisations globally, within his own consultancy and as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company.  In addition Manley has held accountable leadership roles as the Director of People & Performance for The Atlas Consortium, Hewlett Packard Defence & Security UK and Ark Data Centres - who recently achieved the Investors in People Platinum award - for the second time!

Manley has learnt much from many extraordinary people from all walks of life, and is always trying to grow his understanding of leadership, team work and performance. Research into the neural physiology, the brain science, that physically drives the ability to learn, change and perform, was the final part of the leadership jigsaw that led to the publication of Manley’s widely acclaimed book “Compassionate Leadership” first published in 2014.  Updated in 2022, reflecting the post pandemic work environment.  In June 2023 Manley was invited to become a Forbes Council Member.

Business graduate who spent many years working in television advertising and sports sponsorship.  Re-trained as a secondary school teacher (BEd.), specialising in Business, ICT and Marketing.  Working in diverse and challenging schools.  Led a team as Head of Faculty providing an alternative curriculum and vocational education. As part of the Senior Management Team, devised and delivered staff training and mentored newly qualified teachers, with a special interest in student behaviour.

During a break to raise her family Catherine completed a further degree in Psychology (Bsc.), with a specialist interest in Autism and learning difficulties.  Allowing her to further develop her knowledge of barriers to learning and adapting teaching methodology.

Passionate about skills based learning, Catherine designed the additional management modules for CLA Apprentice and ensured that the Compassionate Leadership Academy met the standards required for the Level 5 Apprenticeship - Operations & Developmental Manager. 

She is a qualified yoga teacher and a trustee of the registered charity Forca - Strength Against Cancer.