Case Study: Ernst & Young

Ian Paterson from Ernst & Young explains how coaching School-Home Support's Director of Support Services is a win-win experience.

At Ernst & Young it is our wish and our responsibility to make a positive difference to the communities in which we operate. We work with a number of community partners who focus on the areas of entrepreneurship, the environment, and education - in particular, helping young people achieve their potential. This last objective almost mirrors PEF's own mission statement so working together was a natural fit. Having been introduced to PEF and their work, I immediately understood the extra value they add to their portfolio charities both financially and via access to business professionals for specialist support. I am the coaching champion for Ernst & Young's Transaction Support service line and wanted to give something back using my skills to make a difference.

I've been coaching and mentoring Ian Stickley, School-Home Support's (SHS) Director of Support Services since June 2009. The content of our conversations is confidential but they broadly centre around the issues and challenges Ian is facing in his role. I listen and challenge him to think differently to enable him to effect positive change. The relationship works for both of us - coaching someone in such a different environment is a unique opportunity and keeps me on my toes. I find it refreshing and rewarding and am now a passionate supporter of SHS. For Ian, he has access to me as an independent sounding board and has implemented a number of the procedures, processes and behaviours that we have discussed together during our sessions to great success.

PEF's approach is results focussed and whilst financial support is of course important, it's the business skills and experience they can bring to the charities' back office that enables them to perform so well on the front line. My involvement with PEF and SHS has been very worthwhile, and I intend to carry on my coaching support for as long as I can. Having attended workshops with SHS case workers, I now understand the challenges and difficulties some young people in our society today face. The importance of SHS's work to help them overcome these cannot be underestimated and thanks to PEF we are helping to change society for good.

Ian is a Partner in Ernst & Young's Private Equity Transaction Support team and holds the Associate Certified Coach qualification of the International Coach Federation