Getting to know... Heath Gunn

In a feature looking at the person behind the business profile, Heath Gunn, founder of business and leadership coaching company Move that Mountain, talks about his career journey from Royal Navy helicopter engineer to the present day, the joy he takes from building relationships with people and life as a petrolhead outside the office.

We know you as the founder of Move that Mountain, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick...

Lots of things make me tick! 

In business, it’s the real difference a conversation can make. 

One chat, be it in a networking meeting or a coaching/consulting session, can lead to the most amazing outcomes.

I like people, I enjoy business and I’m a bit of a leadership geek, so spending my days learning about businesses and their challenges, and being able to help, is awesome.

I also enjoy running my own business and having the freedom to have choice and control over how I work, who I work with and seeing someone who is struggling have a lightbulb moment.

Did you always want to work in coaching? 

Not at all. 

I had a very varied career before doing this. 

At 18, I worked in the Royal Navy as a helicopter engineer before spending ten years in the motor industry running big car supermarkets – including the top dealership in the UK twice – and then two of my own businesses in the industry.

I then became a qualified electrician before joining the NHS and going from support worker in a medium secure forensic unit to director of learning disability services across five counties over ten years, and then to chief executive of a disability charity.

During my time in the NHS, I did a master’s degree in leadership and management – it was here I found coaching.

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

I love so many aspects of my work, but first and foremost it’s the people. 

I work with some fantastic clients, as well as external suppliers, and have a fabulous support system in place through my networking group.

There isn’t much I don’t like about it, but perhaps the most challenging thing has been the isolation of working in my own business after being part of teams for 30 years. 

However, I have mitigated this by joining some great networking groups.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? 

It’s knowing I have truly helped people in their roles. 

As smaller charities often don’t have access to coaching or consulting services, due to budget constraints or lack of specialist coaches, Move that Mountain has been able to support that gap, with charity clients benefiting from reductions of £32,500 in cause-driven rates.

Seeing the business grow has also allowed me to move to new premises and launch a new leadership academy.

How do you relax outside of work? 

Wellbeing is incredibly important, so I always make time to go to the gym three times a week or use my garage gym. 

I’ve been throwing weights around my whole adult life, and it helps with my mental balance. 

As a published author of three crime fiction novels, I also make time to write at some point during the day. 

I set myself a realistic target of at least 15 minutes a day, but once I get in the writing zone, it can continue for hours.

I walk my chocolate Labrador called Bear first thing in the morning, which allows me some fresh air.

He gets a second walk when I’m done for the day, which gives me a mental shut-off from work.

What makes the North such a great place to live and work?

The people. 

I’ve lived in various places around the UK, but I think the people here are the friendliest and most supportive I’ve ever encountered.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know... 

I’m a massive petrolhead and love to ride motorbikes, watch racing, F1, MotoGP and anything that goes fast.

I’m off to the Isle of Man for the TT at the end of May, and am looking forward to watching some of the best racing in the world and riding my bike around the Isle of Man's roads between races.

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