James never expected to lead a company. His background was in music, performing as a professional drummer for five years before stepping into the corporate world. When his parents encouraged him to apply for a job at MTM Consulting—a specialist firm serving the education sector—he didn’t imagine it would become a lifelong career.
Yet when the original business owner abruptly announced she was shutting down operations, James and his colleagues faced a choice: walk away or step up. Over a few pints at the local pub, they made a decision that would change James’ life. By 2015, he had assumed leadership of MTM Consulting, determined to preserve its legacy and chart a new course forward.
Finding Focus in Uncertain Times
Inheriting the business brought immediate challenges. With a young family at home and a mortgage to cover, James’ early years at the helm were focused purely on survival. The company's work processes were highly manual, and staffing levels didn’t support the growth ambitions James quietly harbored.
The real breakthrough came during lockdown. With business slowed James took the opportunity to step back and assess MTM’s operations. He realized that while production was solid, the next critical frontier was sales. Hiring a dedicated salesperson forced James to think differently about strategic growth, goal-setting, and vision.
Prompted by a simple but powerful question—“What’s the plan?”—James began to imagine a bigger future, even joking about buying a helicopter one day. That light-hearted comment sparked serious strategic thinking. Where did personal income need to be? What turnover would support it? How many clients, and at what price point, would it take to make that vision real?
Those questions launched MTM Consulting onto a path of accelerated, deliberate growth.
The Decision to Partner with ActionCOACH
Realizing he couldn't build a bigger business alone, James sought expert guidance. He partnered with Martin Bailey, an ActionCOACH business coach, to provide the structure, perspective, and accountability needed to take MTM to the next level.
James found the coaching relationship transformative. Martin challenged him to think beyond day-to-day operations and to step fully into his role as a strategic leader. With support, James implemented robust systems, aligned his staffing with the company's evolving needs, and learned how to balance growth with operational sustainability.
Rather than reacting to challenges, James learned to anticipate them—and to approach decision-making with greater confidence and clarity.
From Growth to Scaling: Building a Business that Lasts
MTM Consulting’s growth over five years has been remarkable. Annual turnover has climbed from £200,000 to over £1.4 million. Yet growth alone wasn’t the goal. James focused on building a scalable business model that could sustain that growth over time.
He invested heavily in automating previously manual processes, enabling a leaner, more skilled team to deliver higher-value work. He shifted the company’s focus from labor-intensive production to strategic consulting, positioning MTM as a critical partner for schools navigating an increasingly complex education landscape.
However, growth also revealed new challenges. Systems and back-office operations needed to catch up with the pace of client acquisition. Recognizing this, James made the strategic decision to pause further expansion temporarily in order to strengthen internal processes—a move that reflects the maturity of his leadership today.
(James Leggett)
Leading Through Change
A key lesson James has embraced is that business is fundamentally a people game. Whether marketing to clients, leading a team, or engaging with suppliers, relationships are at the heart of every transaction.
Early on, James made a bold move: he hired someone to take over his original role, forcing himself to step fully into leadership. It was uncomfortable at first. It meant tackling tasks he didn’t particularly enjoy—strategic planning, finance, and long-term forecasting. Yet by embracing discomfort, James expanded his skillset and became the leader MTM Consulting needed.
Today, James emphasizes creating a workplace culture that values communication, resilience, and growth. Staff are encouraged to engage with new ideas, challenge assumptions, and contribute to the company’s evolution. James has created an environment where change is not feared—it’s expected.
A Mindset of Continuous Learning
One of James’ greatest strengths is his willingness to listen, learn, and adapt. He approaches conversations with clients, staff, and mentors with an open mind, often asking, “What can I learn from this?”
By maintaining a beginner’s mindset, James has avoided the trap of assuming he has all the answers. Instead, he synthesizes insights from diverse sources, constantly refining MTM’s strategies and offerings.
This mindset also shaped his relationship with ActionCOACH. Regular coaching sessions with Martin provided both practical advice and strategic perspective, allowing James to navigate challenges faster and avoid common pitfalls.
The Broader Impact of Business Coaching
For James, coaching didn’t just accelerate business results—it improved his personal life as well. Having a dedicated sounding board for business challenges meant less stress carried into his home life. Clearer boundaries, better communication, and a more sustainable work rhythm have strengthened his relationships at work and home.
James is quick to acknowledge that managing a business is about managing an entire life. Family, well-being, and business health—are interconnected. Coaching helped him align those layers more intentionally, ensuring that success in one area didn’t come at the expense of another.
Reflections on Growth
Looking back, James sees resilience, adaptability, and humility as the key ingredients to his success. His advice to other entrepreneurs is simple: stay curious, seek help, and embrace discomfort as a necessary part of growth.
James is also quick to credit his background growing up on a farm for his work ethic. “Whatever the weather, however, you feel, the pigs still have to be fed,” he jokes. That mindset of consistency—showing up and doing the work regardless of conditions—continues to drive MTM Consulting’s success today.
(James Leggett with his ActionCOACH Martin Bailey Receiving the Quarterly Growth Award)
Lessons from Modernizing a Traditional Industry
1. Industry Expertise Must Be Matched With Business Expertise.
Knowing your market is essential—but scaling successfully requires mastering business leadership, not just technical skills.
2. Growth Requires Constant Adaptation.
The education services sector—and the tools supporting it—are changing rapidly. Staying ahead means being willing to evolve systems, teams, and thinking.
3. A Coach Accelerates Strategic Thinking.
James' growth wasn’t luck. Partnering with ActionCOACH brought the outside perspective, structure, and accountability needed to shift from reactive management to proactive leadership.
4. Scaling Without Systems Is a Risk.
Fast growth can be exciting, but without strong internal systems, success can strain operations. James’ coaching journey emphasized building solid foundations that support sustainable scaling.
Ready to Unlock Your Next Level of Growth?
James didn’t just grow his business—he transformed it. From manual processes to strategic scaling, from survival to sustainable success, the right coaching made the difference.
If you’re ready to accelerate your business, modernize your operations, and lead with greater clarity and confidence, ActionCOACH is here to help. Request your free discovery call here and take the first step toward building the business you know you’re capable of.