Nathan is an ex-professional sportsman and former Head of Coach Development for England Cricket. He now leads Nathan Wood Consulting, which provides expert coaching, mentoring, and leadership training to individuals and organisations seeking personal and professional growth and the fulfilment of their potential.
Testimonials
“An insightful strategist and thinker.” – Dean Headley, former England cricketer
“Best in the business.” – Tharindu Perera, Sri Lanka Women’s Assistant Coach
“I have worked for and with Nathan for several years. He will support and challenge your thinking, build innovation and creativity into your work, provide deep and research-based insights through the medium of coaching, mentoring, self development and leadership. This is what he will do. More importantly for me is the way in which he does it. Humour, loyalty, integrity, care, passion, and dedication to the people he is working for and with shine through every session. He has a strong moral compass which I found essential in guiding us to deliver extraordinary and sustainable results even under intense pressure. This combination is rare in the performance world but it is the difference which makes the difference. Seize the opportunity to get him on your team!” – John Neal, Head of Coaching Performance @ Welsh Rugby Union
“Humility, curiosity, empathy, deep insight, wisdom, experience, generosity of spirit and a full desire to support and challenge others to fulfil their potential. It is rare to experience all these qualities in one person. That has been my experience of working alongside Nathan over many years and I recommend him as a person, coach, or mentor to any individual, team or organisation that is serious about becoming the best they can be.” – Gordon Lord, Founder & Director @ Get Coaching Ltd
“I first worked with Nathan while I was undergoing my Specialist Coaching qualification, and he became a mentor. Nathan’s mentorship was exceptional; he focused on helping me discover what was right for me and it never felt like he was pushing his own agenda. His guidance in helping me find my own answers prepared me well for the future. He tailored his approach to my needs, showing genuine care, patience and support. I felt valued and supported while facing challenges and he helped me believe in finding and owning my path. I am deeply grateful for Nathan’s mentorship and highly recommend him as a mentor. “ – Olivia Rae, Charity Ambassador
“If you do get the chance to work with Nathan then do take the opportunity for your leadership growth and development. He’s not only a fantastic human being, he has a wonderful connection with people and enables the individuals and teams he works with to fulfil their potential as managers and leaders.”- Paul Shaw, Managing Director @ Inside Leadership
“Nathan is truly one of the most gifted people developers I have had the privilege of working with and watching first hand. His ability to see beyond the obvious, and delve into the important, is a unique quality. He has a desire to see those he works with to be empowered and become more self reliant and aware. His mentoring style is very personable and encouraging – every time I have seen him operate I am inspired to become a better version of myself. I highly recommend his as a leadership and coaching mentor who will inspire you, develop you and help you become more self aware which in turn will lead your teams to achieving a higher level of performance.” – Jane Powell, Performance Manager @ England Disability Cricket
“I had the privilege of working and collaborating with Nathan at The England & Wales Cricket Board, where his impact on our initiatives with Diverse Communities was genuinely transformative. Nathan’s exceptional coaching, mentoring and leadership abilities have consistently elevated the performance of specialist coaches, empowering them to inspire athletes on their individual pathways.” – Mohammed Arif, Co-Founder @ Sporting Change
“Now bringing his own quality brand of people development to the wider business and sporting world, and tapping into decades worth of experience and knowledge, Nathan’s expertise can only help but develop your ability to grow, both individually and as an organisation.” – Rowly Williams, Advanced Coaching & Mentoring Lead @ ECB
“You’ll no doubt read many recommendations from individuals who have had the pleasure of working with Nathan from his managers, direct reports and coaches he has worked with to develop. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan over a number of years and can confidently say he is an excellent and empathic leader and coach. He has an outstanding ability to engage and emphathise with those he works with, creating an environment where individuals feel valued and understood. His leadership style is both supportive and challenging, helping individuals and teams to reach their full potential.” – Emma Adler, Head of Organisational Development @ Immediate Media
“After working with Nathan for several years, I can gladly endorse his leadership skills in what is undoubtedly a challenging environment – elite sport coach development. He definitely took the master coach programme to the next level. Pleasure to both work with him, and also to get an insight from his side of the fence.” – Darren Veness, Head of Strength & Conditioning @ Gujarat Titans
“I had the pleasure of working with Nathan Wood during my time with ECB, where he played an invaluable role in my coaching journey, particularly as I undertook the flagship 4 coaching course. Nathan’s expertise as a people developer is exceptional, and his mentorship made a profound impact on my growth as a coach. Throughout my ECB education, Nathan provided insightful guidance and tailored support, demonstrating a remarkable understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of high-level coaching. He has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into actionable steps, helping me apply them effectively with players and teams. Nathan’s commitment to developing coaches is matched only by his dedication to fostering a positive learning environment. He consistently encouraged me to expand my coaching skills, and approach challenges with confidence. His support was pivotal in helping me achieve my Level 4 certification, and I am grateful for his mentorship and encouragement. I highly recommend Nathan Wood to anyone looking for an outstanding people developer. He has the knowledge, passion, and skills to elevate any coaching program and make a lasting difference in the careers of those he supports.” – Atiq-uz-Zaman, Head Coach @ German National Men’s Team
“I’ve been privileged to work with Nathan over the past eight years on the ECB Specialist coach course, where I have witnessed countless examples of his fantastic work fast-tracking the development of coaches, mentors, tutors, and assessors through the process. Nathan is so skilful at combining appropriate levels of challenge and support with all who he comes into contact with. Always delivered with the best interests of the recipient at the forefront of his decision-making and subsequent interactions. Nathan will add value to any organisation or individual who is looking to move to their next level of performance. There is no doubt about that.” – Mark Garaway, Director of Cricket @ Millfield School
“An experienced coach, coach developer, and mentor, whose skills scan across sport and business. Nathan has an inbuilt desire to help people and organisations grow. “ – Eddie Burke, Head of Performance @ Lincolnshire CB
“I was fortunate enough to meet Nathan over 3 years ago when he interviewed me for my level 4 coaching qualification. Since that time I have experienced first hand his leadership and management skills, both working with me as an individual and in a broader sense organising and guiding a group of people through a challenging qualification. Nathan was able to connect with me on both a professional and personal level, allowing me to develop a deeper understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses and how to use them. I found Nathan engaging and highly knowledgeable and I can’t recommend him highly enough in his future endeavours working with others.” – Stuart Kingwell, Head of Staff Performance @ Up & Under Sports Ltd
“Nathan is a fantastic person who cares about the people he works with. He is a strong leader who isn’t afraid to do things differently and actively seeks to improve whenever possible. He has on several occasions offered me great support and advice, and is someone who I would look to whenever a career decision or opportunity arises. He has great experience in people and leadership development, and I will endeavour to seek his mentoring throughout my career.” – Alastair Maiden, Head Coach @ Warwickshire Bears
“Have always found Nathan professional, well rounded and approachable on a variety of levels. Was good to me when completing my ECB Level 4 and provided a sound mentor, confident advisor to me. Business wise he understands strategic objectives and goals, people and his expertise in the sporting world as a player, coach, and coach developer means he is well positioned to offer individuals and companies sound business support and advice.” – Tom Flowers, Director @ TFCC Coaching Group
“I have known Nathan for a number of years, having worked with him at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Always kind and generous with his time, Nathan consistently provided wise counsel in strategic and operational discussions to establish innovative solutions whilst managing a complex and diverse stakeholder group. As a colleague, coach, mentor and educator, I have always valued Nathan’s knowledge, experience and insight. I would be thrilled to work with him again in the future.” – Nitin Parmar, Founder and Director @ Learning Five
“Throughout the Level 4 qualification, Nathan provided great insight and support knowing exactly which buttons to press and when to dial up the challenge. He was someone I looked up to and who shaped the way I now look at people development in such a positive way. Was fantastic to be able to then work with him in an official capacity and will be forever grateful for the time we got to work together. His range of knowledge across multiple settings is second to none and would bring so much added value to whomever he works with. Most importantly, the time he takes to understand the individuals he works with, the level of support and empowerment along with the passion he brings to enabling each of them to achieve is something to be shouted about far and wide.” – Adam Brown, Advanced Coach Developer @ England Cricket
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Nathan Wood for over six years, and I can confidently say he is one of the most exceptional leaders I have encountered. Nathan is a highly adaptable and motivated individual who brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise in personal development, particularly within the elite sports world. What sets Nathan apart is not only his technical acumen but his authentic and empathic approach to leadership. He is deeply committed to helping people unlock their full potential, whether they are players or coaches. His work consistently reflects a genuine hunger for seeing others succeed, and he does so with a loyalty and humility that inspires trust and respect. Nathan’s ability to connect with individuals on a personal level while driving high performance is remarkable. He leads by example, embodying the principles he promotes, and his contributions have had a transformative impact on those he has worked with. His insights into personal and professional development are not just theoretical; they are lived and practiced daily, making his influence both practical and enduring. In short, Nathan is a brilliant leader whose authenticity and dedication make him an invaluable asset to any team. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking someone who not only delivers results but does so with integrity and heart.” – Tom Rothwell, Director @ WAKTU
Nathan Wood Consulting 