Continental Career to Community Champion

Following a career spanning 25 years across three continents, Martyn Alderson returned to the UK with a wealth of experience in security and facility management.

Determined to channel his expertise into something meaningful, he saw an opportunity to help business owners navigate their own challenges – just as he had throughout his career. 

Launching his ActionCOACH business in January 2018, Martyn, no stranger to high-stakes leadership, has blended strategic mindset with a passion for business growth. Now, he’s on a mission to empower entrepreneurs, helping them achieve success while building a successful business of his own. 

Gaining the right experience

“I’ve always thrived in fast-paced environments where adaptability is key,” said Martyn, whose career took him from the military to 25 years in various facility management and security businesses across the globe. 

“I started my own company in South Africa before moving into regional roles for FTSE 100 firms in Asia. Working with businesses of all sizes – some in their start-up phase and others more well established – gave me hands-on experience in what it really takes to scale and succeed!”

Family ultimately brought him back to the UK. “My son has asthma and the pollution in Jakarta was making life really difficult for him. It was a tough decision but, in the end, there was no question – we had to move.”

A new mission

“I knew coming back home I wanted a fresh challenge – I wanted to run my own business again, but I also wanted to use my experience to help others. That’s when ActionCOACH reached out – it felt like the perfect fit. I’d spent years solving business challenges, and now I could use my knowledge to make a real difference.”

Beyond the opportunity to create a meaningful impact in his community, the finances made sense too. “ActionCOACH would allow me to build the business to provide an income comparable to the level of my salary abroad, but with the added benefit of building something for myself. It gave me the freedom to shape my own future while still having the strong support system you get from a franchise.”

In January 2018, Martyn took the leap. “It was the best of both worlds – entrepreneurship with the backing of a proven system. I knew this was the right next step, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Securing clients

“Working abroad for 25 years, I didn’t really have a network in the UK, so I had to start from scratch. I bought a page of data and just got to work – phone, mail, phone. It was all about persistence.”

Following ActionCOACH’s formula to the letter, Martyn secured his first client by March 2018. “I knew the system worked, so I committed to it completely – step-up week, telemarketing, daily outreach. Sticking to the process paid off – the first client gave me the confidence I needed to know I was on the right track.” 

Looking to expand further, Martyn joined his local BNI chapter. “It opened a few more doors and brought in a couple more clients. It reinforced what I already knew – building relationships is absolutely key to business growth.”

The present day

“Right now, I’ve got eight one-to-one clients, and it’s just me working in the business,” shared Martyn, discussing his current client base. 

Having spent considerable time in a FTSE 100 company, Martyn saw elements of what ActionCOACH does but quickly realised a clear difference. “I saw a lot of what ActionCOACH does when I was working in the corporate world. 

“I can tell you, ActionCOACH certainly does it a lot better – especially when it comes to the management masterclasses they deliver. They are offering so many more businesses something much more valuable.”

Reflecting on his journey, Martyn highlights the growth in his own understanding of the system. “I’ve got a much better grip of the ActionCOACH system now. I know what works for my clients when I’m coaching them too. I’ve found that you get better results when your clients are open to having a guide. 

“It’s all about showing them where they are, understanding why they’re there and working together to figure out the solutions.”

Mastering the masterclasses

“Looking to the future, my short-term goal is to get regular invoices for one-to-one clients up to £20k per month, which means working with 10-12 clients.”

Martyn is also focused on expanding the masterclasses he offers. “I want to run more 12-week masterclasses, but I stretch them out over 24 weeks. I like having an accountability session every other week to make sure my clients are really digesting what I’m teaching them and putting it into practice.”

This year, Martyn has taken on the role of nominated masterclass guru within the ActionCOACH network. “It’s a new role and it’s a great opportunity. I’m working with the team to keep improving what we’re offering. There’s so much opportunity for collaboration as a network of coaches and senior partners.”

Community is king

“The best part of being an ActionCOACH senior partner is the community, the support and the system as a whole. If you reach out to the network, you’ll always find support – everyone is on your side and wants you to do well.

“It’s not just about the business; it’s about the people you work with. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie, and that makes a huge difference.”

Martyn goes on to offer his advice for anyone thinking of taking this path. “If your heart is the prosperity of the business community and you genuinely enjoy helping people, then this is absolutely the business for you. If you have the passion for helping others to succeed and can see the value in the long-term impact you can have – you’ll no doubt thrive at ActionCOACH. It’s incredibly rewarding, and the community you build along the way makes all the hard work worthwhile.”