The core businesses
Eight businesses. International expertise.
One connected approach.
The Leader’s Journey brings together eight core businesses spanning research and insight, leadership development, executive search, communications, storytelling, commercial strategy, investment and business development. Each brings its own expertise, experience and relationships to help organisations address challenges, identify opportunities and move forward.
Our businesses work independently or together, connecting expertise to deliver practical solutions. Through The Leader's Journey Europe, led by Marianna Alfa, and UAE, led by Daniel Gill, we extend this approach internationally, combining our expertise with local knowledge and relationships.
The Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect is the research and insight arm of The Leader’s Journey. It helps organisations look outward, understanding the social, behavioural and market shifts changing their customers, people, communities and markets, and what those changes could mean for the future.
Are your customers changing faster than your offer?
What will people value differently in three to five years?
How are different generations reshaping the workforce?
We turn research into practical insight that helps boards and senior teams decide where to focus, invest and act next.
Because before you can prepare your people, find the right leaders, communicate your thinking or tell your story, you need to understand the world you are doing it in.
We see the social trends others miss
〰️
We see the social trends others miss 〰️
Explore our research
See what we’re seeing.
Our research explores the social, behavioural and market shifts changing how people live, work, connect and make decisions. Each piece takes a question shaping the future and brings together the evidence, trends and implications organisations should be thinking about.
Read some of our latest research and thinking —————>
2. Courageous Minds
Courageous Minds is the people development arm of The Leader’s Journey, focused on building the human capabilities people need to lead, learn and perform when there is pressure, uncertainty and no obvious answer.
Courageous Minds is a joint venture between The Leader's Journey, Dr Jan Ferris and Marco Truffelli, bringing together expertise in clinical psychology, elite sport and senior business leadership.
Together, we develop the confidence, resilience, judgement and mindset that traditional leadership development can too often overlook.
From emerging talent and future leaders to established teams and senior executives, the focus is not simply on what people know, but how they think, respond, make decisions and perform when it matters.
Because organisations cannot prepare for what comes next without preparing the people who will lead them there.
We develop the human operating model
Technology is changing the way organisations operate. Courageous Minds focuses on the other side of that equation: the people.
Through psychology, mentoring, coaching, embedded support and leadership development, we work with organisations to strengthen the human capabilities that allow people and teams to perform sustainably through change.
3. Marketing & Communications
As the communications arm of The Leader’s Journey, we help organisations and their people turn expertise, ideas and insight into intelligent communications that build visibility, credibility and authority.
From thought leadership and editorial to interviews, research-led content and campaigns, our work draws on over 25 years of experience in communications, storytelling and building profile.
We start with the thinking, not the output, because the strongest communications begin with something worth saying.
What this looks like
Good communications start long before something is written, designed or published. They start with understanding what an organisation knows, what it stands for and what it has to say that is genuinely worth hearing.
We work closely with organisations and senior leaders to uncover those ideas and turn them into communications that build profile, strengthen positioning and create meaningful engagement with the audiences that matter.
-
Ideas and perspectives that position people and organisations around the conversations that matter.
-
Articles, features and ongoing content that give organisations a distinctive and consistent voice
-
Drawing out the experience, opinions and stories that often sit behind the corporate message.
-
Turning evidence and original insight into content with substance and credibility.
-
Building a clear idea into communications that work across channels and over time.
-
Helping organisations and individuals become known for the right things.
4. Storytelling & Narrative
Storytelling & Narrative is the identity and engagement arm of The Leader’s Journey. We work with organisations to understand what connects their people to who they are, where they have come from and where they are going.
Creating the story people want to be part of
It is about more than what an organisation says.
It is about the identity people experience, the culture they contribute to, the pride they feel and the sense of belonging that holds people together through change, growth and transition.
We uncover the people, places, history, values and experiences that shape an organisation, then help build a clear and sustained narrative around them. One that can live through its culture, environment, symbols and experiences, not simply its communications.
Because people are more likely to believe in where an organisation is going when they understand what they are part of.
5. Executive Search
Executive Search is the senior recruitment arm of The Leader’s Journey. With over 25 years of experience in senior recruitment and executive search, we help organisations find people with the experience, judgement, character and potential to lead their next chapter.
Recruit for the future, not just the vacancy
Our approach goes beyond the CV.
We take the time to understand the organisation, the environment it is operating in and the leadership it will need for what comes next. That means looking not only at what someone has done before, but how they think, lead, respond to pressure and connect with people.
Built on long-standing relationships and networks across the UK and internationally, our work is personal, considered and discreet, from understanding the brief and identifying the right people through to supporting the appointment.
6. Carnaby Enterprises
Carnaby Enterprises is the investment and business development arm of The Leader’s Journey. Bringing together extensive industry experience, commercial expertise and trusted relationships, we connect investors, entrepreneurs and businesses to identify new opportunities, support ambitious founders and help organisations access the capital and leadership needed to grow.
Where investment, vision and leadership come together
Carnaby Enterprises is a private network connecting investors, ambitious founders and experienced business leaders across hospitality, wellness, lifestyle and business services.
Built on extensive industry knowledge and established relationships, Carnaby creates opportunities for businesses and individuals looking to invest, grow or take their next step. Its approach is centred on bringing the right people together, recognising commercial potential and developing relationships that deliver long-term value.
Led by Chris Sheppardson and Brian Riordan, Carnaby combines strategic insight, operational experience and an entrepreneurial mindset. Together, they bring decades of experience working with businesses, investors and leadership teams, understanding both the opportunities and challenges involved in building and growing successful organisations.
Meet Brian Riordan, Director of Carnaby Enterprises
Brian Riordan brings over 30 years of experience across hospitality, contract catering, facilities management and consultancy. Having held senior operational leadership roles, including Managing Director at Aramark UK, he combines commercial expertise with a practical understanding of business performance, client relationships and organisational culture.
Through Carnaby Enterprises, Brian brings his experience of leading complex businesses, identifying commercial opportunities and developing successful partnerships.
-
Brian’s career has involved managing large-scale operations, overseeing significant budgets and working closely with clients and operational teams. This experience has given Brian a practical understanding of what drives business performance, from commercial strategy and service delivery to the importance of strong relationships and workplace culture.
Brian is particularly interested in how organisations achieve sustainable performance while creating environments where people can thrive. His work also explores the changing role of workplaces, food and hospitality, and how successful partnerships between clients and operators can create long-term value.
Through Carnaby Enterprises, Brian brings a commercial and operational perspective, drawing on his experience of leading businesses, developing teams and identifying opportunities for growth. He believes the strongest results come from combining commercial discipline with an understanding of the people responsible for delivering them.
Fun fact: Brian will give almost any sport a go, from football, golf and tennis to badminton and Krav Maga, often with his three energetic children in tow. He believes sport has taught him just as much about leadership as any boardroom!
7. The Leader’s Journey, UAE
The Leader's Journey UAE is our international operation based in Abu Dhabi, extending our expertise and relationships across the Gulf. Led by Daniel Gill, the business draws on extensive experience in hospitality, commercial strategy and leadership to support organisations with venue development, investment and market entry, executive search and talent development.
Our areas of expertise
-
Connecting investors with carefully selected, off-market opportunities across hospitality, lifestyle, wellness and emerging businesses, with a focus on commercial potential and long-term value.
-
Helping ambitious founders prepare for investment, access relevant networks and connect with capital partners who understand their vision and growth ambitions.
-
Connecting businesses with experienced senior executives who bring the expertise, judgement and leadership needed to support growth, transformation and long-term performance.
Meet Daniel Gill, Founding Partner of The Leader’s Journey, UAE
With over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality, events and venue management, Daniel brings an entrepreneurial approach and a wealth of practical experience to The Leader's Journey UAE. Having founded and grown Dine Group, he now draws on his commercial expertise and industry relationships to support hospitality businesses and new opportunities across the Gulf.
-
His career began at the age of 12, working in the kitchens of his parents' Michelin-starred restaurant. He later trained in London with Leith's and Mustard, gaining experience at prestigious locations including Downing Street, Lancaster House and the Natural History Museum.
Having grown Dine Group from a business operating with a single van into an established catering, events and venue management group, Daniel has worked with some of the UK's most distinctive heritage properties, including Harewood House, Rise Hall and Howsham Hall. His experience spans everything from developing hospitality concepts and negotiating commercial partnerships to building teams and creating successful operating models.
Through The Leader's Journey UAE, Daniel brings his entrepreneurial perspective, commercial understanding and practical experience to support businesses and investors across the Gulf. He particularly enjoys working on ambitious hospitality projects, helping turn creative ideas into successful operations while ensuring that the experience delivered matches the original vision.
Fun fact: Daniel is a stand-up comedy obsessive and a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe. He'll happily travel a long way for a good hour of comedy and believes great comedians have plenty to teach leaders about reading a room!
8. The Leader’s Journey, Europe
The Leader's Journey Europe is our European operation, extending our expertise and relationships across the region. Led by Marianna Alfa, the business draws on our experience in research, strategy, psychology and people development to help organisations better understand their people, strengthen workplace cultures and develop talent. Bringing together the expertise of Ripple, Courageous Minds and Executive Search, we support businesses in navigating change, developing their people and identifying the talent needed for future growth.
Our areas of expertise
-
Through Ripple, we help organisations better understand their people, workplace cultures and the changing expectations of employees and customers. Combining research with practical insight, we support businesses in identifying challenges, questioning assumptions and developing strategies that respond to the needs of their people and markets.
-
Through Courageous Minds and our wider network of specialists, we support individuals and organisations in developing the human capabilities needed to perform and lead effectively. From confidence and self-awareness to emotional intelligence, communication and resilience, our approach brings together psychology, practical experience and leadership development to help people navigate pressure, change and complexity.
-
We help organisations identify individuals with the experience, judgement and character to make a difference. Our approach looks beyond qualifications and career history to understand leadership potential, cultural fit and the capabilities businesses need for long-term success.
Meet Marianna Alfa, Founding Partner of The Leader’s Journey, Europe
Marianna Alfa is an Executive Leadership Coach and Hospitality Business Strategist with extensive experience across international luxury hospitality. Combining operational expertise with a deep understanding of emotional intelligence, leadership behaviour and organisational culture, she helps individuals and businesses strengthen leadership capability, navigate change and improve performance.
Through The Leader's Journey Europe, Marianna brings a people-centred approach to supporting organisations and developing the capabilities needed for sustainable success.
-
Marianna’s career has spanned hospitality operations, people development, concept creation, business openings and commercial growth. Having experienced leadership at both operational and executive levels, Marianna understands the pressures facing individuals responsible for managing teams, delivering results and navigating constant change.
Her work focuses on helping leaders develop greater self-awareness, confidence and clarity in how they communicate, make decisions and respond under pressure. She is also the author of BLOSSOM, a self-coaching book drawing on her experiences and approach to personal and professional development.
Through The Leader's Journey Europe, Marianna brings her expertise in leadership development, organisational culture and business strategy to help organisations strengthen their people and build sustainable performance.
Fun fact: Marianna volunteers in animal rescue in Miami Beach and enjoys visiting cat cafés around the world. She also loves exploring nature, from ancient forests to wild waters, where she often finds some of her clearest thinking happens away from meetings and screens!