Guillemot is an independent brand culture and coaching practice, founded by Director Steph Matthews who leads client engagements solo or with trusted associates when the brief requires it. We support brave, purposeful people and organisations who want to take wild leaps to transform their working worlds for good.
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We love variety, and that's reflected in our clients and their brands. Whether we are crafting the brand DNA for a startup like Ticho Wellness, sharpening the groundbreaking international charity Waterloo Uncovered's vision and mission, or helping impact sector organisations like Tennis Wales, Welsh Athletics, or the University of Cambridge Investment Management (UCIM) cultivate their values-led cultures, the connecting thread is a belief in better business and the desire to create a positive impact in the world.
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For us, ethos is everything. We work with ethically-minded, purposeful clients who share our commitment to more sustainable and regenerative futures.
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Find out more about Guillemot's services here.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Steph Matthews
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Steph has 25 years of experience in brand and culture consulting. A specialist in purpose-led transformation, she advises organisations who want to evolve and develop more aligned, distinctive, and vibrant organisations full of people who enjoy their work, and know why what they do matters.
She has held senior roles at stellar international consultancies (Wolff Olins, Sparknow, Interbrand, Yonder Consulting), advising clients across a mix of sectors, geographies, and growth stages; from solo entrepreneurs and fledgling start-ups to big global corporates and everything in between.
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Past clients include BGF (formerly Business Growth Fund), British Airways, British Council, Budgens, City & Guilds Group, Coty, Godrej, Grant Thornton, Hays, International Alert, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Janus Henderson, King / Activision Blizzard, King & Wood Mallesons, Lane Crawford, Musgrave, Network Rail, Pearson, Raspberry Pi, Royal Ballet School, Rosewood Hotel Group, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), THEUNSEEN, Tennis Wales, University of Cambridge, UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Waterloo Uncovered, and Welsh Athletics to name a few.
A seasoned professional, C-Suite advisor, and Board-level presenter, her approach is infused with insight and imagination in equal measure. She is also mum to two magnificent girls, a maker of natural soaps and beauty products, and an avid wild swimmer.​
Don't hesitate to contact Steph if you'd like to chat about what Guillemot could do for you.
PARTNER ASSOCIATE
Emily Monsell-Holden
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With two decades’ experience in brand, marketing and communications, Emily specialises in helping organisations integrate brand and culture, with a particular emphasis on heritage brands and their legacies.
Her background is predominantly client-side, so she understands the deep nature of organisational change and aligning brand, business and cultural objectives.
She’s worked with companies including the 325-year-old family business Berry Bros. & Rudd (where she headed up brand and marketing), James Purdey & Sons (redefining their internal brand and using it to break down cultural siloes) and the Daily Telegraph (bringing various departments together to deliver a major new commercial initiative).
She is a TEDx speaker and the host of Year-on-Year, a podcast dedicated to long-term thinking in business.
WHY 'GUILLEMOT'?
The company was named after the extraordinarily brave and resourceful Guillemots who nest on the cliffs of Durlston, near Swanage on the nearby Jurassic Coast. Their "jumplings" leave the nest earlier than most seabirds, and are amongst the deepest divers. Their beautiful, uniquely patterned, conical eggs are cleverly adapted to their environment. It all felt very apt.
Check out John Hegley's wonderful poem, 'Guillemot' for his brilliant take.
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