Alan Watkins is a uniquely skilled scientific businessman. He has a very broad mix of commercial, academic, scientific and technological abilities.

Over the last 13 years Alan has worked, lectured and consulted on leadership development to both small and medium sized enterprises and large multi-nationals all over the world. He has coached many of the UK’s leading businessmen and worked with numerous Boards and thousands of Senior Executives in the FTSE 100 through his own company Cardiac Coherence Ltd.

Alan has recently been appointed as an Affiliate Professor of Leadership at the European School of Management, London. He has built their Systemic Leadership Institute, which brings the most advanced personal, interpersonal and organisational practices to leaders to help them be more successful in a rapidly changing and complex world.

Originally trained as a physician he also has a first class degree in Psychology and a PhD in Immunology. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at Imperial College, London. He is a Board Member of the Institute of Wellness & Health (IWH) at the University of Westminster, London. He is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Integrated Medicine at the University of Buckingham.

He has published a wide variety of scientific papers in various peer reviewed scientific journals, written several book chapters and his own book on Mind-Body Medicine was published in 1997. His second book on Leadership is expected to be published in 2010.

Alan has extensive media experience in radio and television. He recently featured in his own ten part series for BBC1 called “Temper your Temper” where he coached ten individuals with anger issues. He also contributed to the BBC series “The Truth about Food”.

He has been the Chairman of an autism charity for the last 7 years. The charity is now the UK’s leading provider of behavioural services to autistic children and regularly advises government and other international organisations.

Links

Visit his website: Cardiac Coherence

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

My next nominee for the greatest sports leader of all time is Sir Clive Woodward. Woodward was at the helm when English rugby union triumphantly heaved itself from the boozy, pot-bellied mire of amateurism to the top…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on April 24, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

“I certainly wouldn’t say I’m the best manager in the business, but I’m in the top one.” Brian Clough What lessons can we learn from my next nominee for the greatest sporting leader: one of the most…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on April 16, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

“Brearley was without doubt the best captain I ever played under, a man with a billion dollar cricketing brain.” Ian Botham Thirty-two years ago, a cricket match entered sporting folklore. The 1981 Ashes series has almost become…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on April 8, 2013 by Footdown

It began with a chat between members of the Bath Footdown Fifteen. Now, after nearly 7-years of battling, 2OC, headed by Footdown founder and Chairman Andrew Mercer, has just signed a £200m+ deal with Thames Water. 2OC…More

Filed under: Footdown News Posted on April 8, 2013 by Footdown

Charles Cook, member of Bristol Footdown Fifteen and founder of a ’boutique’ law firm, features in the North Somerset Business Magazine for Leaders.  As part of a series looking at young people in business, the article makes…More

Filed under: Bristol, Mentoring Groups Posted on April 2, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

Manchester United Football Club was recently hailed as the largest sports club on the planet. For that they owe a huge debt of gratitude to their long-serving manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. This article is by Vikram Banerjee,  click to…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on April 2, 2013 by Footdown

Recently MBA Polymers, the world-leading multinational plastics recycling company, called on the Government to suspend VAT on recycled plastics to help stimulate consumer demand and encourage investment in the UK’s plastics recycling industry. The call was made…More

Filed under: Bath, Mentoring Groups Posted on March 26, 2013 by Footdown

Manufacturer Trunki has teamed up with fellow Bristol-based business Aardman Animations to launch its first TV advert. The ride-on suitcase maker, which brought manufacturing of its products back from China to the South West last year, has joined…More

Filed under: Bristol, Mentoring Groups Posted on March 26, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

“The most effective way to forge a winning team, is to call on the players’ need to connect with something larger than themselves.” Phil Jackson in Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior The next on…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on March 19, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

When you hear someone shouting out, ‘I am the greatest!’ – then most of us would not necessarily want to hear any more. We’d leave. But there is one man who stated this and still managed to…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on March 13, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

Times are tough. There’s no two ways about it. The powers that be say they are trying to kick start the economy but it is still coughing and spluttering. The recession drags on and shows no real…More

Filed under: Insight, Leadership Posted on March 12, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

In a year that has blown the lid off the murky goings on inside the world of 1990s cycling, led by the new sporting demon – Lance Armstrong, my next nominee for the greatest sports leader is…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on March 5, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

My second nomination for the greatest sports leader of all time is the self-proclaimed “Special One”. Jose Mourinho polarises views across the world, but no one can deny his unprecedented success in his career so far and…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on February 26, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” My first nomination for the greatest sports…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on February 19, 2013 by Vikram Banerjee

WHO IS THE GREATEST LEADER IN WORLD SPORT OF ALL TIME? THAT IS THE QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO SOLVE… Being a leader in sport or business is not as easy as you think. It demands every…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on January 31, 2013 by Footdown

Steve Peters is an advisor to Liverpool FC, GB Cycling Team, and business leaders. The book looks at the way in which irrational behaviour can have a negative impact. He explains the key elements of your psychological…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on January 31, 2013 by Footdown

Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet is an explanation of the critical leadership tools he used in turning the worst performing nuclear submarine (Sante Fe) in the US Navy into one of the best. He leads,…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on January 23, 2013 by Footdown

In The Five Dysfunctions of a team, the new CEO recognises that the company has innovative products and great talent, however the executives are not working together as a team, negating the advantages of the companies innovative products…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on January 11, 2013 by Footdown

Footdown Scotland Fifteen finished 2012 in style. Our December meeting took place in Glasgow and was very well attended, including a flying visit from Footdown CEO Mike Roe. While the mood was very seasonal (assisted by some…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Recent Events, Scotland Fifteen Posted on January 11, 2013 by Footdown

Footdown Scotland Group continued their series of monthly peer to peer mentoring sessions this month. Discussion points included such matters as – How we socially engage and integrate remote workers with head office activity Reviewing our “must stop doing”list Alignment…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Recent Events, Scotland Fifteen Posted on December 18, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

What a show – we all marvelled at this year’s fantastic Sports Personality of the Year and at all the great achievements of the British sportsmen and women this year. Bradley Wiggins came out, in my opinion,…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on December 11, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“They all laughed at Christopher Columbus When he said the world was round They all laughed when Edison recorded sound They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother When they said that man could fly…” Alastair Cook…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on December 6, 2012 by Footdown

Footdown recently facilitated a Coaching Champions workshop for Nine Feet Tall. Esther McMorris a member of the Bath Fifteen and founder of Nine Feet Tall found the workshop helpful and challenging for the organisation. “We dragged all…More

Filed under: Testimonial Posted on December 4, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

It seems the American Dream is over – the former England football captain David Beckham has played his final game for LA Galaxy. He left to cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd as he helped…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on November 27, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

The defeat in the first Test in India is the latest part of what has not been a good year for the England team. Since becoming the world’s number one side in the summer of 2011, they…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on November 20, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” George Bernard Shaw On Wednesday, Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on November 13, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.” M. Scott Peck Looking to the sporting world and the repeated headlines…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on November 7, 2012 by Footdown

The Footdown Scotland Group met recently for their usual monthly peer to peer group mentoring session. Here are a selection of comments from attendees that circulated after the meeting – “Very thought provoking” “Great to see the…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Mentoring Groups, Scotland Fifteen Posted on November 6, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear” Robert Jarvik As you all probably noticed last week was Halloween! The history of Halloween is mixed depending on which version you read.   Whatever its origin today…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on November 1, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

He’s the hothead, the live wire, the one with the short fuse and explosive temper. His energy is infectious, but his mood can turn on a dime, and when he starts lobbing shells, boy you’d better take…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on October 23, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

Chelsea should be sitting happy at the moment. They are current European Champions, a title Roman Abromovich, their gregarious owner, has been coveting for many years. They are also four points clear at the top of the…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on October 16, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardi This week I would like to indulge in a little philosophy by considering the statement above in light of the revelations reported by the US Anti-Doping Agency. This…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on October 9, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

This year’s Ryder Cup was one of the closest and most exciting contests in years. Europe pulled off the greatest comeback in the sport’s history, on a final day, which emphatically and thrillingly confirmed the Cup’s propensity…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on October 9, 2012 by Sam Elly

Footdown’s Cohort 6 School of Coaching starts on 29th November 2012 in Somerset. What’s included? The nine-month programme includes: Six days of tutor led learning in great venues with lunch and refreshments All materials and tools, including the use of…More

Filed under: Cohorts Posted on October 3, 2012 by Sam Elly

Green Sam: it was great to do the run for such a worthwhile cause: Clic Sargent. And I am so grateful for everyone’s kind sponsorship. The race itself was tough but made easier by the feeling that…More

Filed under: Events, Footdown News, Recent Events Posted on October 2, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

By the time you read this article you will be reading how the Ryder Cup has unfolded, and which team performed better under the highest of pressure. However as I write this, the excitement is just starting…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on September 25, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“We cannot predict the future. But we can create it.” Jim Collins You only have to think about how the world has changed in the last 15 years, the destabilizing events we have all experienced that defied…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on September 18, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“When the facts change, I change my mind” John Maynard Keynes It’s amazing how blind people can be to facts that don’t suit their beliefs. How many times have you heard it said by professional sportsmen of…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on September 11, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

In sports, there seem to be some athletes who are remembered over others. Some leaders manage to make their mark on our psyche and connect with us. There may be athletes who aren’t as successful as others,…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on September 4, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

At midday on 29th August 2012, Andrew Strauss, one of England’s most successful captains, announced he was retiring from professional cricket. Strauss was appointed the captaincy back in 2009 almost by default; the team was in disarray,…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on August 29, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“If you had one shot, one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment – Would you capture it, or just let it slip?”  Marshall Bruce Mathers III One shot. That’s what many of these…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on August 21, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Michael Jordan Kevin Pietersen is as close to a cricketing genius as England have had in a long time. Some batsmen are beautiful to watch. Others can be…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on August 14, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

So then…it’s over. We’ve seen 10,500 athletes proudly competing in 302 medal events across 26 Olympic sports. Some 70,000 Games Makers have epitomised the Olympic spirit, and millions of us have joined in with our own local…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on August 7, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

What a week we’ve had! Really has made me proud to be British! We’ve had some great champions, including Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford. This article is by Vikram Banerjee,  click to subscribe to his…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on July 31, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

Danny Boyle – take a bow!  The Olympics opening ceremony truly was an awe-inspiring yet humbling salute to our nation’s rich and eclectic history; there was something for everyone, a celebration of all things that make our…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on July 24, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

On the 1st July 1903, 60 cyclists set off from Paris. After more than 2,400km of cycling, at an average speed of 25.7kmh, they returned on the 19th July, in a competition won by Maurice Garin of…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on July 17, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

When I was fourteen years old my sports teacher, Mr Stead told me “If you haven’t failed you haven’t tried hard enough”. A strange quote taken out of context, but the point he was getting at was…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on July 10, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

Common sense would tell us that top athletes succeed because of their physical talents and their dedication to training. However, they also succeed because of their dexterity in dealing with the psychological pressures of a sport. In…More

Filed under: Leadership Posted on July 3, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

I guess it was to be expected really – another major tournament, another penalty shootout loss. This article is by Vikram Banerjee,  click to subscribe to his articles. We have been here before, of course. We have been wounded…More

Filed under: Footdown News, Leadership Posted on June 26, 2012 by Vikram Banerjee

“This world is kinder to those who are not cursed with self awareness”.  Ronald Shelton This article is by Vikram Banerjee,  click to subscribe to his articles. Over the last two weeks I have waxed-lyrical about the necessity for…More

Filed under: Leadership