GS Verde Group

Head of Brand & Communications

Alchemy Branding Studio

Welcome to Alchemy, where art meets science in brand crafting. Taking a bold step with us into SEO-driven social media management, perfect for detail-oriented leaders who need more time to focus on what they do best. More than just logos, we create brands that resonate and endure. With our new, smart SEO content strategies, we ensure your brand not only stands out but also engages effectively online. Think of us as your comprehensive backstage crew, expertly handling your digital presence so that when the spotlight hits, your brand shines its brightest.

Co-Founder & Consultant

Airbox Systems

Airbox produces the most comprehensive suite of situational awareness tools available anywhere on both desktop PCs and mobile platforms. Designed for planning, execution and after action review, Airbox software is trusted by law enforcement, military, special forces, search & rescue, fire and medical emergency services. With over 400 maps available to use and the option to create your own, the base level map can sit off-line allowing operations to continue whilst no internet access is available.

Brand Communications Manager

Tiny Wizard Studio

SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND’S PERSONALITY AND MAGNETISE YOUR AUDIENCE LIKE MAGIC WITH SPELLBINDING VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Creative marketing campaigns | Animation | Brand design

You have a skin-tingling vision to shape, an important message to spread, a unique story to share — and they all deserve an adoring audience. 

But attention is getting more and more difficult to win, which is why you don’t just need to produce strategic visuals, you need to produce spellbinding ones. 

That’s where we tiny wizards come in. (And yes, you may ask to see our wands.)

Tiny Wizard Studio is a creative agency where anything is possible. You dream it? We do it. Boldly. Beautifully. 

We’re here to be the partner to your visionary, purpose-driven company and help grow its reach and revenue faster by conjuring up personality-drenched visual communications.

Co-Founder & Chief Wizard

I am a seasoned Brand and Communications expert with over a decade of experience driving growth and market readiness for businesses navigating pivotal moments such as investments, mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning. My passion lies in developing strategies that enhance brand value, attract investment, and position companies for success in competitive markets.

In my current role as Head of Brand & Communications at GS Verde Group, I work closely with businesses in the Buy-Sell-Raise space to elevate their market presence and ensure they are ready for acquisition or sale. My approach combines a consultancy mindset with the expertise of a fractional marketing director, providing tailored branding and marketing strategies that maximise value for business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs.

Prior to this, I founded Tiny Wizard Studio, where for over 11 years I led a creative team in crafting bold and beautiful brand designs and marketing campaigns for purpose-driven companies. Running my own business gave me a deep understanding of the challenges business owners face, and this experience has been invaluable in my current role. I know first-hand how to shape a brand that resonates with its audience, stays true to its vision, and thrives in a competitive landscape.

In addition to Tiny Wizard Studio, I co-founded Alchemy Branding Studio, where we specialise in SEO-driven social media management and brand development. Our focus is on helping businesses stand out and engage their audiences effectively in the digital age.

Specialising in:

Brand and PR strategies for M&A and investment readiness.
Leveraging AI to empower marketing teams and drive innovation.
Strategic brand positioning for tech and scientific sectors.
Comprehensive communication strategies for business growth.

I’m passionate about helping businesses uncover their unique value propositions and communicate them effectively to their target audiences. I advocate for the adoption of AI within marketing teams and have been actively exploring AI tools to enhance the strategies I craft. My goal is to empower marketing teams, drive innovation, and deliver data-driven advice that resonates with businesses looking to scale, sell, or raise investment.

Whether leading a creative team, running my own business, or acting as a fractional marketing director, my approach is always rooted in collaboration, precision, and a deep understanding of the modern marketing landscape.

Jess Morgan

I’m on my way into a networking event this morning but also mentally reviewing every positioning statement I’ve written this month.

Funny thing about working on brand consistency: suddenly you become hyper-aware of whether you’re “on message”. 

Today’s internal monologue:
Does my intro line match our value proposition?
Is my face giving “clarity and cohesion”… or “I answered emails at 11pm again”?
Does this jacket align with the brand palette? (It doesn’t. I’ve made peace with it.)

But the point is, a brand isn’t just what we publish, it’s how we show up.
In conversations. In quick intros. Even in those first few seconds of a handshake.

So if you see me this morning, I’ll be the one aiming for consistency…and hoping my positioning statement sounds smoother out loud than it did in the car mirror. 😅

Commercial Director at Ligtas | Co-founder at Alchemy | Driving brand, marketing & sales alignment for people-first growth | Believer in bold storytelling, behavioural-led leadership & culture that connects ✨

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Apparently Dave Morgan’s idea of a Friday night date night these days is to sign us up for fitness competitions. 🤦🏻‍♀️🥴

 I hereby produce evidence that I was indeed at @gymsyncuk event by @welchfitness_wf on Friday evening and did take part, despite there being absolutely no photos of be doing one single burpee. Which I’m kinda glad about to be honest. 

The last photo however, hopefully proof that I very much did ALL the the burpees!! 😂😂 And I died on the floor immediately afterwards. 

All jokes aside (as well as the whining), I had such a great evening and I am very much enjoying spending time with everyone in the @welchfitness_wf community! So much progress this year and couldn’t do it without the encouragement and support. 💪❤️

But Dave…dinner and a movie is still a nice way to spend an evening. Just sayin’. 

#fridaymotivation #datenight

Have you ever opened your website and immediately felt your shoulders tense?

I hear this all the time.
The colours don’t match your socials.
The tone feels like it was written before the pandemic.
And the whole thing looks like your brand has been on a “journey of self-discovery”… without you.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Most SMEs don’t have a business problem.
They have a brand presentation problem.

And they know it.
That wave of embarrassment? It’s not dramatic. It’s your instinct telling you something’s off.

I’ve seen brilliant businesses undersell themselves because their brand doesn’t reflect the standard of the work they deliver. Not because they’re sloppy because they’re overwhelmed, busy, stretched, and constantly pushing branding to “next month”.

The fix doesn’t start with a rebrand.
It starts with clarity.

If this hit a nerve, our free brand audit will show exactly what’s slipping and what to fix first.
No jargon. Just an outside view you can use straight away.

You deserve a brand you’re proud to open.
One that doesn’t make your shoulders rise before the homepage even loads.

#BrandStrategy #SMEBranding #MarketingClarity

Being compliant doesn’t always mean being safe.

One of the first things that struck me when I came into Ligtas was how many organisations genuinely believe that because something is written down, it must be happening. And that assumption is where risk hides.

The line that lives rent-free in my head from our brochure is:
 “Compliance proves you have systems; safety proves those systems work.”

That’s exactly the gap we close.Not with more paperwork. Not with bigger checklists. But with clarity, confidence, and conversations that actually land with people.

Our whole approach — Consult · Train · Maintain — exists to help businesses stop guessing and start genuinely knowing whether their systems hold up in real life.

Because the goal isn’t just to pass an audit.
It’s to protect people and help leaders sleep better at night.

That’s the heart of who we are.

The countdown’s on. Today we’ll be talking about what the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 really mean and what organisations should be doing right now to prepare.

Whether you manage buildings, oversee compliance, or simply want to understand how the new legislation affects your responsibilities, this session will give you clear, grounded guidance.

Our focus is practical: what’s changing, what remains uncertain, and how to get ready without wasting effort.

It's not too late to join us! 
👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eD9DVDEF 

📅 Tuesday 2nd December 2025
🕛 12:00 to 12:45
🎓 Free CPD-certified webinar

You ever watch a competitor, offering worse service, absolutely clean up online?

It’s frustrating because you know your delivery is stronger.
Your customer care is better.
Your product is better.

But their brand looks sharper.
Cleaner.
More confident.

And like it or not, people trust the thing that looks trustworthy first.
They assume the polished brand is the better choice before they’ve even compared quality.

This isn’t about jealousy.
It’s about recognition.

If customers see another brand more often and it all looks consistent they remember them.
And they forget you.

That gap is painful.
But it’s fixable.

If this hit you somewhere uncomfortable, our free brand audit will show exactly why competitors look further ahead than they actually are and what you can do about it.

Small changes.
Clearer visuals.
Better consistency.
Massive impact.

#BrandStrategy #SMEGrowth #BrandRecognition

Some brands change direction more often than my kids change their snack preferences…which is impressive, and not in a good way.

Shape-shifting feels fun in the moment. It also looks chaotic from the outside. And confusion isn’t a great conversion strategy.

And usually, the constant flip flopping comes down to one thing: no clear story.

If you can’t explain who you are and what you do in one clear, captivating line ; a line your whole team could happily repeat then you don’t have an anchor. You leave an impression, not a position. And that alone won’t hold a brand steady.

A brand isn’t supposed to reflect your mood swings.
It’s supposed to anchor you.

That’s why I love running brand strategy workshops. There’s always that moment when a team finally lands the story; the positioning, the value prop, the “ohhh, THAT’S us” clarity.

Once you choose who you are, stick with it long enough for other people to believe you.

If you need help getting to that moment, you know where I am.

This month's episode of Brand To Scale is live: From Vision to Values.

I had a brilliant conversation with Anthony Levy, CEO of Circularity First, about leading a purpose-driven business over the long term. We explored decision-making under pressure, building a team around shared values, and how to stay honest with yourself when the stakes are high.

If you’re interested in leadership that isn’t built on noise or ego, but on clarity, consistency, and values that actually guide your choices, this episode will land well.

Guest: Anthony Levy
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/em3PUdUn

Circularity First

#BrandToScale #Leadership #Founders #BusinessEthics #Sustainability #PurposeLedBusiness

Most salespeople think they’re good listeners. But if you recorded their calls (and you should!), you’d probably hear this pattern:
 
Question.
Interruption.
Pitch.

And somewhere in there, the client’s truth gets lost. We’re taught to present, to persuade, to handle objections…but we’re rarely taught to listen properly.

I’ve written about this; the forgotten part of sales training that turns ‘pitching’ into something far more powerful: listening.

👇 Read the full piece here

Sales training often focuses on persuasion; the perfect pitch, the confident close, the snappy objection handling. But there’s a quieter, far more pow

Open article: The Forgotten Part of Sales Training: Why Listening Beats Logic by Jess Morgan • 4 min read

The Forgotten Part of Sales Training: Why Listening Beats Logic

One thing Anthony said in this part of our conversation stayed with me.

We talk a lot about “vision” in business the big ideas, the direction, the mission.
But in the early stages, vision isn’t what moves things forward.
It’s the uncomfortable work you’re not naturally wired for.

Anthony shares how he had to learn sales from scratch. Not the polished version the repetitive, unglamorous kind of learning that comes from doing something badly until it starts becoming useful.

Most early progress looks like that.
Not inspiration. Not confidence. Just persistence.

It’s a good reminder that the first stage of any business isn’t about refining your strengths. It’s about being willing to stretch beyond them.

#BrandToScale #Leadership #Founders #BusinessGrowth #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

Culture isn’t what’s written on posters. It’s what leaders repeat on ordinary days.

30 respondents (23%) in The Strength Report said coaching helped them improve how they manage people and model behaviour.

That’s where culture really shifts in everyday moments that build trust.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecpCAi4P

#leadership #culture #coaching #behaviouralchange #management #strengthreport #bebusinessfit

You ever scroll your own Instagram and feel like you’re flicking through a scrapbook of questionable decisions?

Bright post. Beige post. A caption that sounds like you. Another that sounds like a corporate intern.

It’s funny… until it isn’t.

Because when your brand feels chaotic, everything becomes harder:
Sales.
Trust.
Momentum.

And most of the time, the issue isn’t skill it’s survival mode.
Posting quickly.
Posting reactively.
Posting without a clear direction because you’re juggling twelve other things.

But inconsistency is expensive.
Customers don’t know what to expect.
And the moment people can’t predict you, they stop engaging.

The fix isn’t more content.
It’s a clearer brand foundation.

If this feels uncomfortably familiar, the free brand audit will show you why everything feels a bit “off” and what’s actually worth fixing.

You don’t need a perfect feed.
You just need a consistent one.

#BrandStrategy #SMEBranding #ContentConsistency

Many SMEs experience the same moment:
They’re about to hit “post” and suddenly feel unsure.

The colours don’t look right.
The tone doesn’t match the website.
The layout feels rushed.
And the content no longer feels aligned with the brand.

This hesitation is a sign of brand inconsistency not incompetence.

When your visual identity and messaging drift, posting becomes stressful.
You’re less confident.
You second-guess every decision.
And engagement drops long before the sale does.

Our free brand audit is designed to pinpoint why your content isn’t landing and what’s breaking the connection between your brand and your audience.

Clear insights.
Practical fixes.
Immediate clarity.

If posting feels harder than it should, we can help.

#BrandConsistency #SMEBranding #AlchemyBranding

Crack On Coaching

Leaders Grow Leaders – Crack On Coaching

At Crack On, we work with leaders who don’t just manage shifts or numbers — they grow people. We help teams move from getting through the day to building cultures that thrive. When leadership becomes everyone’s responsibility, growth is inevitable.

Passion for Change & Impact

We drive real, lasting change from the ground up and the top down.
Leadership isn’t a job title; it’s a behaviour.
Our coaching builds capability, clarity and connection at every level, so the whole team lifts, not just the top.

Coaches Who’ve Walked the Walk

Our facilitators have done the jobs, felt the pressure, and still cracked on.
We bring lived experience and practical tools leaders actually use on a busy Friday night — not just in a classroom.

We help people lead with purpose, coach with confidence, and step up when it matters most.

Tailored Programmes, Never Off-the-Shelf

Every organisation is different, so every programme is fresh-cut to your challenges and goals.
Whether you need a leadership pipeline, a coaching culture, or tighter team dynamics, we create space for growth that sticks.

Stronger Leaders. Stronger Teams.

We show leaders how to build trust, create clarity and hold each other accountable — the bedrock of high-performing teams.

It’s not about shouting louder.
It’s about leading better, together.

📩 Ready to grow leaders who grow leaders?
Drop me a note at jon@crackoncoaching.com and let’s crack on.

Founder Crack On Coaching- Training Leaders to Develop Future Leaders 

The Crack On Podcast is the perfect daily dose of inspiration for anyone looking to get fired up and tackle their goals. Launched in 2019, the podcast showcases inspiring people who embody the CrackOn attitude and show up every day, no matter what challenges they face. With stories of perseverance, resilience, and determination, the CrackOn Podcast is the go-to source for anyone who wants to start and get on with what they've been putting off. Tune in and get ready to be inspired to take action and make your dreams a reality!

Founder of the Crack On Podcast 

Purple Story (The Home of Operational Excellence)

In my role as a facilitator with Purple Story, a prominent provider of soft skills and behavior development, I am deeply invested in fostering the growth and development of individuals, particularly within the hospitality sector. My passion lies in sharing my experiences to contribute to best practices, allowing me to give back to an industry that I hold dear. Through this, I aim to play a pivotal role in nurturing and enhancing the skills and behaviors of individuals, facilitating their professional development and contributing to the overall success of the industry.

Purple Story Teller

Tapas Revolution

I led several exciting new projects in a casual dining establishment that I found very invigorating. Our primary objective was to provide exceptional experiences for both our team members and customers. I was responsible for developing our drinks menu, providing sales training for our team, and overseeing the training and development of our management teams to ensure exceptional service delivery.

Our primary focus was on creating a new cocktail menu that catered to a wide range of tastes and preferences. To achieve this, we worked closely with our bartenders to develop innovative and enticing cocktails. We also provided comprehensive training to our front-of-house staff to enable them to upsell our drinks offerings and maximize sales.

Additionally, we prioritized creating a welcoming atmosphere for our customers. We believed that this was achieved by ensuring that our team members were happy, motivated, and engaged. To achieve this, we provided extensive training and support to our management teams to help them build strong and positive relationships with their teams. We also ensured that our team members had access to the resources they needed to deliver exceptional customer service.

Throughout our initiatives, we remained committed to putting both our team and customers first. We believed that by developing our teams and providing them with the tools and knowledge they needed to excel, we could create an environment where our customers felt valued and appreciated. I am proud of the results we achieved and the exceptional dining experiences we delivered to our customers.

Head of Special Projects

Creative Hospitality Group

Leading the Operations of an amazing hospitality business.  With turnover in excess £9 million a year and overseeing the development of over 250 staff.  

The role covered all aspects of operations from P&L management to strategic planning for each venue with team development being on top of my agenda to get right.  'Right people, Right place' was the mantra I used in order to ensure that both the individual and the business would strive and deliver everything they could.

Head Of Operations

CROESY BARS LTD

In 2016, our award-winning company launched two new concept bars - 29 Park Place and Dead Canary, both of which quickly made it into the Top 10 UK Bars. As the project lead, I was excited to work on these amazing projects that involved overseeing more than 30 staff members in each venue.

One of the key aspects of my role was coaching senior managers to deliver their KPIs and establish essential processes such as stock management, cash checks, and audits. We checked these processes weekly to review the growth and service standards we were delivering. Additionally, I was responsible for providing sales training to the team members to ensure they had the necessary skills to sell effectively and boost revenue.

Through our comprehensive sales training, we provided our team members with the tools and knowledge they needed to deliver outstanding customer service and increase sales. We taught them how to engage with customers, provide excellent recommendations, and effectively upsell products. By doing so, we were able to grow our revenue, enhance our service standards, and create an enjoyable and memorable experience for our customers.

I am proud of the results we achieved and the exceptional service we delivered to our customers. By investing in sales training and developing our team members, we were able to create an exciting and successful atmosphere in both of our bars.

Business Owner

Formerly Bars Ltd

I opened a new venue from scratch after the previous one had closed down. Leading the team and serving as the knowledge and motivation arm of the business were essential to its success. I brought innovative ideas to the table and consistently challenged the norm. Coaching and developing the team was another significant aspect of my role, and I led by example.

One of the key areas that I focused on was sales training. I knew that by developing our team members' sales skills, we could maximize revenue and increase customer satisfaction. I provided comprehensive sales training to the team members, teaching them how to engage with customers, provide exceptional recommendations, and effectively upsell products. We also implemented sales metrics to measure the team's performance, and I provided coaching and feedback to help them improve.

In addition to sales training, I also played a crucial role in coaching and developing the team. I led from the front, setting the standard for excellence and providing guidance and support to my colleagues. I believed that by investing in our team members and empowering them to take ownership of their roles, we could create a positive and successful working environment.

I am proud of the success we achieved in the venue, and I know that our focus on sales training and coaching played a significant role in our achievements. By investing in our team members' skills and development, we created a motivated and skilled workforce that was committed to delivering exceptional service and driving revenue growth.

Co-Owner

Novus

I consider myself very privileged to have worked for such a great company, leading sales teams of over 100 staff and managing turnovers of up to £5 million. One of my main achievements was joining the millionaire club in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

As the leader of the sales teams, I oversaw all aspects of the business, with a focus on maximizing revenue and driving sales growth. I worked with multiple teams and some amazing people, helping them to develop into bigger roles and better themselves, both in their professional and personal lives.

One of my primary responsibilities was to lead and motivate the sales teams to achieve their targets and exceed customer expectations. I developed sales strategies and implemented sales metrics to measure the team's performance. I also provided sales training and coaching to help team members improve their skills and increase their productivity.

Through my leadership, we were able to achieve outstanding results, consistently delivering excellent customer service and exceeding our sales targets. I am proud of the role I played in developing and leading the sales teams, and of the growth and success we achieved together.

General Manager

Helping General Managers to level up their leadership skills through relatable training and create lasting behavioral change using 1:1 and Group training and coaching. 🚀

I help hospitality leaders become the reason people stay, not the reason they quit.

After 15 years running pubs as a General Manager — and a stint as an award-winning bar owner — I learned the hard truth: brilliant people get promoted, but no one shows them how to lead. They can smash service, nail GP, keep a shift afloat… yet still lose staff because the human bit never gets taught.

So I built Crack On Coaching to fix that gap.

What I do

Grow world-class General Managers. Our GM Accelerator turns accidental managers into confident, commercially-sharp leaders who coach in real time — not just at reviews.

Cut churn and boost profit. Clients see staff turnover drop, NPS climb and labour % tighten within months.

Make leadership practical. No fluff. Just tools, behaviours and energy that stick long after the workshop ends.

How I’m different

I’ve worked every job in the house — glass collector, KP, bartender, GM, owner — so I speak bar-back and boardroom. Everything I teach has been battle-tested on a busy Friday night when the ice bin’s low and the P&L’s due on Monday.

Who I work with

Multi-site operators (5–100 venues) who want their managers to lead with purpose, coach every shift and keep great people in the business.

🚀 Ready to turn good managers into leaders who make people feel something — and stay for it?

📩 Drop me a note here or email jon@crackoncoaching.com and let’s crack on.

Jon Saunders Leadership Trainer and Coach

10 Years ago yesterday we brought Dead Canary to Cardiff.....


I went to The Dead Canaries 10th Birthday last night with the old crew — and wow, what a moment!

The Owners, Mark and Amy have absolutely smashed it. The whole place is a reminder of what trust, vision, and a team of people who genuinely love #hospitality can build.

I’m proud that Anne-Marie and I were part of the early journey… but even prouder of what the team have created since. Keeping a venue flying for 10 years in today’s world is no small thing — it’s huge.

Well done to everyone who’s been part of it. 

What an awesome achievement. 👏🔥

They are a special bunch!! Welly, Milky, Charlotte, Fitz, John Head, Mills, Gaskell, Gareth (Chef) to name a few!  

#HappyBirthday
#Hospitality 
#Team 

Crack On

Jonathan  Saunders

Founder of Crack On 🚀 | Where Leaders Grow Leaders 👊 | Coaching Hospitality, Leisure & Sport to Build Connected, High-Performing Teams 💥

What a day ahead!! 

I’m on my way to the BII People Conference this morning — one of my favourite events of the year. Days like this are all about #connection, hearing honest stories from the frontline, and learning from some brilliant operators!

Really looking forward to hearing from people like Harry Gurney, Jordan Davids, Tim Skinner, Sam Hagger FBII, Merlin Griffiths, Katy Moses CBII Dawn Lawrence CBII - MIH - Honorary Doctorate in BA and so many others who are out there pushing our industry forward. These are the voices who remind us what hospitality is really about — people, community, and giving a damn.

Then tonight, Anne-Marie and I will be heading to the NITAs. To even be nominated is something we don’t take lightly. We’re genuinely humbled. Crack On was born from a tough chapter, so moments like this hit differently. It’s a reminder of the journey, the graft, and the people who’ve had our backs.

Thank you everyone ❤️

Polaris Elements GAUCHO The Ivy Collection Wells and Co. Avani Solutions Brunning and Price Pubs Ltd Almond Family Pubs Circe's Rooftop to name a few of our awesome clients!

Whatever happens, today’s already a win.

Proud. Grateful. Still cracking on.

#Connection 
#People 
#Team

Steven Alton CBII Molly Davis CBII Chris Welham Michael Harper . Matt Howcroft

Ps Richard Tudor-Thomas I am in Cardiff today on the "Platform Selfie" where are you today?

Pps Yes Ria Burrage-Male it's the same selfie stick!

What a week it’s been.. 💙💙


It kicked off celebrating the incredible graduation from Circe's Rooftop and Queens team—a huge milestone for everyone involved. Then we dove into a fantastic session with Polaris Elements, exploring psychological safety and the power of #culture—amazing to see the team embrace how everyone shapes a business’s culture.

Midweek took us to the BII Training & Innovation Day, thanks to Steven Alton CBII and #team for an outstanding event, rounded off with the NITAs. We might not have taken home the trophy this time, but I’m beyond proud to have been part of it. Huge congrats to Wells and Co. and especially the Tollemache Arms —on to bigger and better next year!

And to cap it off, I had the joy of playing rugby with my son and with my old school teacher, referee Gwyn Morris—an absolute full-circle moment for Headway Cardiff And South East Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

If you want to work with Crack On and be part of these kinds of growth stories, just reach out.

As the saying goes, 

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” 

Now off to the rugby 🏉 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 vs 🇳🇿 

Fingers crossed for a spirited performance 👊

Crack On 

Steffen Ortiz Evelina Sirbu Lee Ramskill Neil Westwater FBII Molly Davis CBII Matt Howcroft Franki Hale Michael Harper . Amanda Thomson  thank you Chris Case for allowing me the opportunity to play 👊

So many more to tag- thank you ❤️❤️

🎙️ Big shift coming in 2026… and I’m all in.

If you’ve followed my journey, you’ll know I’m obsessed with one thing: helping leaders grow leaders.

Next year, I’m taking that mission into a brand-new space.

A new podcast studio.
A new team behind the scenes.
And conversations that go deeper — leaders from hospitality, leisure, and sport opening up about the real stuff: pressure, resilience, mistakes, breakthroughs, and everything in between.

This isn’t a content project.
It’s a platform for honest leadership conversations that our industry deserves.

Grateful to have Metroguard Security and Kurve  backing the vision — partners who believe in raising the bar.

Thank you Andy Bannon and Steven Rolfe for support and backing!  

Two chairs. Two microphones. Endless possibilities.

If you want to follow the journey, now’s the time.

Let’s Crack On Jamie Walker Maria Metheringham  SpacePod - Podcast Studio 👊 

Ps More exciting news to come 👏👏👊👊

7 of 24 DONE ☑️ 


Wrapping up the first week of my 24-day running challenge for Only A Pavement Away 50 other hospitality legends!

A huge thank you to the amazing South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 crew who’ve joined me on this journey. Seven days of running, 70 kilometers down, and the support from eight or nine fantastic people has been incredible. We’ve got 17 days and 170k to go, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the camaraderie and energy. Here’s to pushing forward together!

Thanks 

Richard Selby MBE DL Ian Carter Matt Sanders Paul Evans  David Saunders  Michael Williams  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

#OnlyAPavementAway 
#LinkedInCommunity 
#RunningChallenge

Wrapped up this Sunday with an incredible nine-mile walk in the beautiful Brecon Beacons 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

It was amazing to go again with the Men & Mountains crew led by the fantastic Dan Stanley. 

My first time back in about six months, and it felt like picking up right where we left off. New faces, old friends, and real connection—exactly what Sundays should be about. 

Thanks to Dan and everyone who made today such a great one! 

#CONNECTION
#GROWTH 
#ACTION 

Raising money for a fantastic charity bigmoose ❤️❤️ 

Paul Rudolph  Mark Hindmarsh Tommy Guy 🌍 Ben Priest Alun Leach Adam Brooks Ben Koscian Nick Fluck Steven Rolfe Mark Houlihan, Momentum Learning Ltd Gerwyn Tumelty Michael Williams to name a few 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Ps Thanks Dan for the pics!!

“I LIKE ME.”


I watched the John Candy documentary this week… and then went straight into Planes, Trains & Automobiles- Bravo Colin Hanks!!

And honestly — it hit differently.
Seeing the man behind the films first — the kindness, the humour, the generosity — made that famous moment in the movie land even harder.

When he looks up and says:

 “I like me.”

 …it isn’t bravado.

It’s a bloke who knows who he is.
Flaws, faults, heart, all of it.
And it made me think.

In our world — #hospitality, #leisure, #sport — we spend so much time looking after everyone else.

Guests. Teams. Families.
We’re wired to give.
But liking yourself?
Backing yourself?
Owning your story?
That’s rare.

And it’s powerul.

Watching Candy reminded me how important it is to lead with heart.

 He put people first.
 He connected.
 He cared without making a fuss.
That’s the kind of leadership we need more of.
 Not “me first.”
 Not ego.
 Just genuine connection.
 “We,” not “me.”

So here’s my moment:

 I like me.

 Not because I’m perfect — far from it — but because I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m showing up with honesty, I have good and bad days!

If this encourages one person to like themselves a little more today…
 or to reach out and connect with someone they wouldn’t normally…
 then that’s a win.

Crack On.

Ps I will admit I had tears in my eye all the way through it- brought so many great memories back!

I’m back again for round two — last year nearly broke me, but it also reminded me how powerful this sector is when we pull together.

Alan Armstrong is putting the band back together for December, and the plan is simple: move every day from the 1st to the 24th and raise some serious money for Only A Pavement Away. They’re doing incredible work supporting people who’ve found themselves homeless, and the impact they make is real.

I’ll be lacing up for 10k a day — you can run, walk, swim, cycle, dance, whatever gets you moving. It’s not about pace; it’s about purpose, community, and feeling part of something bigger during the toughest trading month of the year.

If you fancy joining a genuinely lovely bunch of hospitality folk who cheer each other on (and sometimes drag each other through), jump in here and Alan will add you to the 

WhatsApp group: https://lnkd.in/eKurKNfW

And if you want to get a head start on the fundraising: https://lnkd.in/ey8rF2xg

Crack On, get involved, and earn those Christmas roasties. 

Let’s go again ❤️🏃‍♂️🔥

#Christmas
#GiveBack 
#People 

Ps I’ll be looking for running partners in Cardiff if anyone’s up for joining. Ian Carter and Steve Dimmick you up for it again? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Yesterday’s walk in the Brecon Beacons 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 with the men from Men & Mountains, was a reminder of why the Crack On pillars matter.

Connection ❤️ 
Culture 🫶 
Action 💯 
Growth 🌴 

Simple, grounding, and exactly what I needed before a big week of sessions.

Remember you must Crack On to move forward! 

#Team
#Action
#People 
#Growth
#Culture
#Connection

Paul Rudolph

Hey everyone, just a quick update from me on the #CrackOn #Podcast 🎙️🎙️🎙️

You might have noticed we’re not launching our usual end-of-month podcast episode today. That’s because we’re cooking up something even bigger and better. Come January, we’re relaunching the Crack On podcast with a fresh new look, brand-new production from the fantastic team at SpacePod - Podcast Studio  over in the Maltings in Cardiff!! 

The lineup of amazing #leaders ready to share their stories. So while we’re taking a short break for the next two months, we’ll be back in January with an even more exciting show. 

Huge thanks to our sponsors, Kurve and Metroguard Security, for all their ongoing support. 

Stay tuned for the guest announcement in December!

Thanks Sam King for getting the Crack On #podcast to where it is today! 

Watch this space!! 

#CrackOn

Daniel Brooks’ 🟡 🟢 🔴 🔵 latest CME report hit home for me yesterday—  it speaks to the heart of what we see every week in hospitality!!

In my experience of delivering these session through Crack On, understanding people isn’t a “nice-to-have” in this industry… it’s the difference between a team that survives and a team that thrives.

And what the data shows is something we need to pay attention to:

👉 Hospitality people switch modes fast.
👉 They recover fast.
👉 They absorb chaos and restore order quicker than almost any other sector.

The problem isn’t the people.
It’s the systems we drop them into.

When the environment doesn’t match the way teams naturally operate, you get fatigue, frustration, and churn (This is the key part- the retention of the team)

 When it does match… everything lifts:

✨ Better retention
✨ Stronger performance
✨ Calmer services
✨ Higher standards, consistently
✨ Teams who want to stay and grow

At Crack On, this is exactly the work we’re doing with leaders — helping them build structures and behaviours that fit the humans on their shift. Because great hospitality isn’t delivered by SOPs… it’s delivered by people who feel supported, trusted, and understood.

And I’d love to bring more voices into this conversation.

What are we missing?
What should leaders be doing differently?
And how do we build environments that work with our people, not against them?

Tagging a few brilliant minds who live and breathe this work:

 Frank Burden Gina Knight Francesco Marzocca Matt Howcroft Tom Vivace

Would love your take. 👇🔥

Thanks to the team from F1® Arcade for such a great session this year with colour- it really does unstick the team and improve comms!  So much fun Andrea Moran Kai Zane Bradley Yasmine Alanya! 🟡 🟢 🔵 🔴

This month at Crack On, we’ve been all about #growth, #learning, and a bit of festive challenge! We celebrated graduations at Circe's Rooftop, sharpened future leaders’ skills at Wells and Co., and ran sessions with Polaris Elements, Bear Inns, and Brunning and Price Pubs Ltd. We even took a shot at the BII NITAs and came away with valuable lessons for next year!

I’ve shared a handy December productivity tool, and we’re kicking off a 24-day running challenge for Only A Pavement Away. Plus, exciting news: our #podcast is heading to a new studio in January.

Thanks Metroguard Security and Kurve for the ongoing support!!

It’s been a big month, and I’m so proud of everything the team’s achieved. 

Crack On!

A word from the Founder, Jon Saunders Hey everyone, Jon here. I’ll be honest—this was actually the first time I ever sat down and watched the budget u

Open article: Budget Boost: How 2026 Planning Can Crack On with the New Economy? by Jonathan Saunders • 3 min read

Budget Boost: How 2026 Planning Can Crack On with the New Economy?

A big shoutout to Steffen Ortiz for the brilliant review of my training service this week.

It means alot when operators take the time to share honest feedback — especially when they're committed to building better leaders and stronger teams. That’s exactly why I do what I do!!

If you want to see the kind of impact Crack On is delivering across hospitality, leisure and sport, you can check out my Service Page.

Have a cracking Friday — keep leading with purpose, and keep pushing your team forward!

Go Smash Christmas #team Circe's Rooftop!!

Ps Good luck Steve Tandy and the lads- I think it's going to be a tough day tomorrow! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Team Building, Training, Leadership Development, Change Management, Executive Coaching, Public Speaking, Life Coaching, Corporate Training, Career Development Coaching, and Business Consulting

John ensured that training was flawless and very effective. I have translated his skills to my team and have seen drastic changes in both performance and ability to meet KPIs. Overall my satisfaction with John is extremely high and I’d recommend his services to anyone looking to bring a rapid influx of energy and skills to their teams. 

Steffen Ortiz reviewed Jonathan’s Training services

1st December — and we’re off.
The trainers are on, the energy’s up, and the first target is already in the bag.
50 people moved today. That’s 50 people choosing action, purpose and CRACKING ON!.

Now we go again.
For the next 24 days, we move — together — to back Only A Pavement Away and make a real difference this #Christmas. This isn’t about running fast or looking good. It’s about showing up, putting one foot in front of the other, and helping people who’ve been knocked down get back on their feet.

We’re aiming for £15,000.
Big goal, big heart.
If you can spare £1, £5 or £10, it genuinely makes an impact.

Chip in here and join the movement:
https://lnkd.in/egfE_h9J

Let’s Crack On and make this count. 💥

Ps Thanks Sporty Spice for the support!!

Thank you team Polaris Elements — this one meant a lot!

The energy in that room last week was unreal. Psychological safety isn’t just a concept; it’s the foundation that allows teams to step up, speak up, and grow together. And your #leadership group leaned into it brilliantly.

Culture isn’t built by posters on a wall — it’s shaped by people who care enough to show up for each other. Watching the Polaris team #connect, #challenge, and #support one another was class!!

Proud to be on the journey with you. Crack On. 💥

#Team
#CrackOn 
#Leadership 

Neil Westwater FBII Callum Smith Jonathan Eve Kieron Stamp 🦉Rosie Chandler

Another successful training session with Crack On!

A huge thank you to Jonathan Saunders from Crack on Coaching for another fantastic training session with our leadership team last week. We dove deep into the critical importance of psychological safety and the immense power of company culture.

As Jon perfectly put it, it was "amazing to see the team embrace how everyone shapes a business’s culture."

At Polaris, we are committed to fostering an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Great things happen when a team feels safe to be truly open.

Fantastic work, team! 

#CompanyCulture #CrackOnCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #PolarisElements #HospitalityTech

Let’s go #Team 

1 of 24 Done ☑️ 

All for Only A Pavement Away  

Crack On 

Ps Anyone in Cardiff or South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 want to join us tonight for a 6-8km- meet By Joes Icecream 5.30pm - join the #Movement

Run 24 in 24 is officially underway — and the energy is incredible.

Our founder, Jonathan Saunders, is out front lacing up alongside an amazing group of #hospitality super hero’s who’ve all decided to move with purpose this December.

 Different paces, different stories — one shared goal: show up, support each other, and raise money for Only A Pavement Away.

This challenge isn’t about speed. It’s about connection, community, and proving what’s possible when hospitality people back each other.

24 runs in 24 days.

 Do it for your health.
 Do it for the industry.
 Do it for the charity.
 Just move.

If you’re taking part, tag us.

 If you’re watching from the sidelines, cheer someone on.
 If you can donate, it makes a real difference.

Let’s Crack On and make every run count!

Link here to support them all!

Ending the week with a little gratitude…

I had a message from Robert Nangalia, who Crack On has worked with for over 2 years, this week after a session with his team at The Halfway and Burger Bros.
 
His words really meant a lot:

“The team left feeling highly motivated and better equipped for the challenges ahead.”

That’s what I love about this work.

It’s not about big stages or clever phrases — it’s about real people, in real businesses, getting a lift right when they need it.

 A spark of confidence.
 A bit more clarity.
 A reminder that they’ve got what it takes.

Rob — thank you mate for trusting me with your team. They showed up, leaned in, and gave the energy right back. Brilliant group.

These moments always remind me why Crack On exists:

"to help leaders grow leaders, and to make people feel capable again"

Have a great weekend everyone — keep backing your teams, keep learning, and keep cracking on.

Crack On

Jon delivered an excellent and timely session for our team ahead of the busy Christmas period. His approach kept everyone fully engaged, and the team left feeling highly motivated and better equipped for the challenges ahead.

Robert Nangalia reviewed Jonathan’s Executive Coaching services

Funny how the “happiest places to live” always come back to the same two things: nature and community.

You can’t always control the landscape around your business…
but you can build a community your team loves being part of.

Happiness isn’t postcode-based — it’s culture-based.

We all know, leaders set the tone. Teams feel it. Guests experience it.

Wherever you are, build the place people want to show up to.

That’s the real win.

Love Yorkshire....Crack On 👊

Who lives their that can vouch?

A Yorkshire town has taken the crown in Rightmove's 2025 'happy at home' index, credited for its access to nature, green spaces, essential services, affordability and overall friendliness.

As AI becomes part of our leadership toolkit, I’m curious: how do you feel about AI assisting decision‑making? 

Excited, cautious, concerned or indifferent? 

Let me know what you think!

Crack On

How do you feel about AI assisting leadership decisions?

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Jess Morgan

Jon Saunders Leadership Trainer and Coach

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The Battle

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