The Gloves Off Mentor

No-nonsense mentorship for senior leaders
facing tough decisions.
No BS. No therapy. No glib motivation.
Just clear thinking, honest challenge and encouragement.

“Liam has been a significant influence in my career. His skills as a mentor of cutting through the noise and getting all of your thoughts, dreams and problems in order are invaluable.”

Chris Thorp – Chief of Staff Jaguar Land Rover
Gloves Off Mentoring…

Is it for you?

You are a senior leader in a private or non-profit organisation
who wants to get things done in a way that genuinely makes the world better.

You might be:

  • Facing a difficult decision
  • Considering a career move or stepping into a CEO role
  • Struggling with your board
  • At odds with a co-founder
  • Thinking about starting something of your own

You need space to think clearly, be challenged honestly, and be properly heard.

 

Liam Black

Being a CEO can be lonely. Having Liam as an external, impartial person who offers direct, honest, and truly ‘gloves off’ advice has been instrumental in my development

Heidi Stewart
CEO, British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)

About me

I live with Maggie and we have three adult children and four grandchildren, the joys of my life.

I organise my time around family and friends, staying healthy, being useful — and mentoring is one of the most enjoyable parts of that.

Over the past 30+ years, I’ve led, founded, or advised organisations ranging from community-based social enterprises to FTSE 100 multinationals.

I have…

  • Led turnarounds
  • Raised tens of millions
  • Rebuilt boards and executive teams
  • Scaled purpose-led organisations nationally and globally

And I have also…

  • Failed, and learned from it !

I currently sit on the boards of
Jaguar Land Rover Foundation and
global mental health business Togetherall

My most recent book is How To Lead With Purpose and my podcast is called Walking Out Loud, available now on all major podcast platforms.

The people I work with:

In my mentoring practice I only work with senior leaders whose work in the world actually matters.

Current and recent clients include:.

CEO of a £50m women’s health charity

Executive in a £10bn healthcare investment firm

Founder of a national environmental social business

CEO of a social-purpose retail company

Co-founders of biodiversity business

I help with clarity and courage
in their leadership.

Liam is the mentor you want if you’re serious about progress, not comfort. He is straight-talking, incisive, and will tell you the truth even when it’s uncomfortable to hear. His insight, experience, and network are exceptional — and he gives me clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Julia Rebholz,

Head of Responsible Investing,
GHO Healthcare Partners LLP

‘Whenever someone asks me
“How do I avoid making mistakes and make better decisions?’

I will point them to this book.’

Baron Timpson, OBE, DL