Getting to know... Ian Kinnery

In a new feature for Bdaily looking at the person behind the business profile, business coach Ian Kinnery, founder of eponymous company Kinnery, highlights the experiences that led him to his present role, explains how he balances work with time away from the office and reveals a special talent from his past.

We know you as the founder of business coaching firm Kinnery, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

When I was 14, my dad died. 

I often begin my talks by holding up a picture of us together.

I was eight when the image was taken, and it is the only picture I have with him because he was always working.

That’s why my motivation as a coach has always been two-fold: to help clients achieve better financial outcomes, while ensuring they have less stress reaching their goals and more time to enjoy their success.

If I can help give somebody an hour of their time back each week to do what they love, or be with the people they love, then that’s a job well done.

Did you always want to work as a business coach, helping entrepreneurs with their respective ventures?

I always knew I would run businesses.

My dad had his own business, and by 29, I was managing director of a large company.

By 31, I ran Europe’s biggest Mercedes dealership. 

A year later, I’d built my own.

I have always been fascinated by business, but also by human beings, and I think that’s why I eventually took my skills and experience and moved into coaching.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part about being a coach is seeing people achieve more than they thought was possible, but without burning out or becoming incredibly stressed along the way. 

I also see them find more enjoyment at home and at work, and that’s a wonderful thing to help give.

The worst part is seeing the frustrations they face to get to that point, but that’s where having a coach who has walked in your shoes can really help.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? 

In my current role, it was winning European Business Coach of the Year.

Before that, it was early on in my leadership career. 

At 28, the company I was with wouldn’t make me managing director, so I left to take on the role elsewhere.

By the time I was 30, that original company had headhunted me to become their managing director.

How do you relax outside of work?

I’m a biker and a dog lover, and I love escaping to the wilderness. 

In fact, I’m planning on escaping over the Christmas period to the Highlands. 

I can’t speak highly enough about the North East; wherever I am on Earth, I tell people I’m from God’s country.

The landscape is stunning and our history is epic. 

We fuelled the Industrial Revolution with coal, steel and rail, and, even now, there’s still a great work ethic and some incredibly talented people.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

As a child, I was a showjumper and competed at quite a high level.

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