Nicola Coote

I am  a strategic business adviser with extensive expertise in risk and safety. I works with Boards and leadership teams across a range of sectors and business models, helping them navigate complex behavioural, regulatory, and operational challenges. I  specialises in developing pragmatic, commercially viable solutions that reduce exposure and liability while enhancing operational performance.​

I work on project / ad-hoc type consultancy and training, and as a Non-Executive Director and am open to opportunities either on a consultancy basis or as a Trustee/Non-Exec.

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My approach combines cultural and behavioural insight with a deep understanding of commercial environments. Drawing on my experience as an expert witness, I help clients strengthen reputation and build stakeholder confidence. I advis on a broad spectrum of strategic and operational issues and designs and delivers tailored training, cultural transformation programmes, and coaching interventions on specialist and regulatory aspects of safety and risk.​

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I began her career in Health and Safety at the UK’s largest newspaper group, supporting 6,000 employees across diverse environments — including international journalists working in high-risk situations. I co-founded PHSC in 1990 and has since led multiple business units and teams delivering client solutions across the UK, while also serving as a Board member of a UK PLC. Today, I leads my own small consultancy (Coote Advisory Ltd) which I recently established, dedicated to advancing best practice in health and safety and risk management— my  lifelong professional passion.

I also serve as a non-executive director for a leading UK charity. with over 3,000 staff and turnover of > £90 million. 

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My professional credentials include Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (CFIOSH), Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), and Registered Expert Witness (civil and criminal cases). I am also a published author and contributor to Gee Professional Publishing, Croner Publications, and LexisNexis Butterworth Tolley.​

Non-Executive Director, Thera Trust, Grantham, United Kingdom 06/2022 – Present
Spearheaded the succession process as a key board member after the departure of founding members, culminating in the successful appointment of five Executive Directors.
Provided strategic counsel during a £5 million bond default, crafting an effective communication strategy for stakeholders to ensure a clear path towards recovery.
Championed a diversification strategy focused on supporting individuals living with autism, thereby enhancing growth opportunities for the charity.
 

Trustee, Discovery Educational Trust (formerly St Martin’s Academy Trust), Brentwood, 03/2010 – 03/2021
Actively contributed as a key Trustee during the school’s evolution into one of the first Multi-Academy Trusts in Essex, ensuring robust governance and compliance amid significant educational reforms.
Evaluated and vetted prospective schools seeking to join the Multi-Academy Trust, providing crucial insights and oversight.
Instrumental in assessing risk at the Trustee level during a period of financial strain in the education sector, ensuring balanced governance decisions that upheld fiscal responsibility alongside educational continuity and safeguarding responsibilities

Founder of PHSC plc, latterly Chief Executive Officer, PHSC plc, 03/1990 – 12/2025
Co-founded a start-up in the risk and occupational safety sector, leading its growth to become an AIM-listed company with approximately £7 million in revenue through strategic organic growth and acquisitions.
Navigated the organisation through a challenging phase following the abrupt resignation of the CEO, devising and implementing a comprehensive transformation strategy.
Successfully steered the company through the COVID-19 pandemic when competitors in the safety compliance division faced closure, despite the security division—a primary revenue stream
—being unable to operate due to its 90% retail client base.
Engineered the branding and marketing strategy, consolidating eight separate entities into three primary operating divisions for enhanced efficiency.
Facilitated the seamless integration of six companies into the group post-acquisition.
Transformed organisational culture following the previous CEO's departure by employing Servant Leadership techniques.
 

EDUCATION
Level 6 Diploma, Professional Marketing, CIM, Essex, uk
02/2016 – 11/2017
Diploma, Occupational Safety & Health, NEBOSH, London, United Kingdom
05/1989 – 09/1990
Diploma, Environmental Management, NEBOSH, London, United Kingdom
05/2005 – 12/2005

SKILLS
Risk Management Corporate Governance
Health and Safety Environmental Management
Financial Oversight Strategy
Marketing Strategic Decision Making
Leadership Executive Mentoring
Communication
 

I have the equivalent of 3 degrees, ie degree level qualifications (I was not able to go to university due to family matters). My qualifications to level 6 are in

• Professional Marketing (with CIM)
• Occupational Safety & Health (NEBOSH)
• Environmental Management (NEBOSH)