I’m Simon Thornthwaite.
Over the last 45 years, I’ve experienced a wide range of life — success and failure, certainty and doubt.
I’ve been financially comfortable, and I’ve struggled.
I became the youngest Area Manager in NatWest Bank’s history at 25, and I’ve also had long periods of unemployment.
I’ve been in love, and I’ve been divorced more than once.
I’ve had a serious addiction — and I’ve overcome it.
I’ve led successful businesses, and I’ve had ventures that didn’t work.
I’ve had many friends, and I’ve also known what it’s like to feel very alone.
Experience & background
Alongside my lived experience, I bring a solid professional background.
I’ve worked at senior management level within NatWest, RBS and Legal and General where coaching, leadership, and accountability were part of my day-to-day role.
I’ve owned and led multiple businesses, supporting people through growth, pressure, and uncertainty in real-world environments.
I’m also a qualified life coach, combining formal training with practical experience to help people think clearly and move forward.
“Working with Simon felt calm and grounded. I wasn’t rushed or talked at — just given the space to think things through properly.”
Paul.
Local business owner and father of 3 boys.
I do this work because I have years of experience coaching, I’m good at it, and I genuinely value earning a living by helping others think more clearly and move forward.
TruNorth Coaching exists because I know what it feels like to be off-course and how frustrating it is when nothing you try seems to stick.
Real change doesn’t come from being talked down to or buried in jargon.
It comes from honesty, responsibility, and doing the work.
My role is to help you see things clearly and move forward, not to sugar-coat it.
How I work
- Direct, not patronising
- Supportive, not soft
- Practical, not theoretical
If you want reassurance without change, this won’t be for you.
If you want things to actually improve, we’ll get on fine.