Noel is a former MD of The Standard Bank Group’s retail banking arm. He worked in senior positions for the group for nearly four decades.

As a coach he has assisted many executives and sees his role as that of an objective, non-prescriptive ‘mirror’ that helps clients explore all the alternatives. “It’s easy to default to the tool that successfully resolved a previous challenge,” says Noel. “But a coach’s task is to relentlessly and purposefully encourage individuals to think through all the options. Even if they come to the same original conclusion, they have more confidence in their decision.”

Recent coaching engagements have included ABSA, Netcare, Steinmuller, Goldfields, Vodacom, Nedbank, Nike and Rand Water.

Self-exploration can also be crucial when unlocking the leadership potential necessary for constant growth, by both the individual and the organisation. People may think they have high levels of self-awareness, but in the hurly burly of contemporary life there is little time for the fundamental questions ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where am I going?’

Noel’s qualifications include a CAIB (SA), B.Com (Unisa), EDP (Wits) and AMP (Harvard).