Executive coach · Speaker · Author · Founder of Outstanding Global
Leadership transformation, not training
At 13, Nigel R. Hughes chose the stage. What followed - two decades of professional performance, thirty years developing leaders, rainforest conservation and his own cancer journey - shaped a view of leadership that is fundamentally human. Founder of Outstanding Global.
Organisations Nigel has worked with
… and teams at Biogen, ArcelorMittal, Lightsource bp, Barclaycard and Maybourne.
About Nigel
Ballet over the Marines. Stage over the boardroom - then both.
When a careers adviser told a young Nigel Ronald Hughes he ought to join the Marines, his answer was ballet. At 13 he chose the stage, training as an actor, singer and dancer at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and performing across theatre and television for two decades. Everything he now teaches about presence, confidence, ensemble working and performing under pressure was learnt there first.
The stage led to almost three decades as Director of Leadership and Founding Associate at Maynard Leigh Associates, and in 2019 to founding Outstanding Global. Alongside the corporate work, Nigel founded Northern Lights Trust in the 1980s to support people affected by HIV and AIDS across Europe, the US and Australasia, and later founded and led the Green Light Trust, the charity behind his conservation work. His interest is in how people actually conduct themselves as leaders - their identity, confidence, relationships, judgement and impact - not in generic competency frameworks. He calls the journey "from experience to expression".
His perspective was deepened by his experience of colorectal cancer between 2013 and 2015 - later documented in his book Cancer Patience - which tested his ideas about resilience, uncertainty, trust and the importance of nature personally as well as professionally.
Work with Nigel
Two ways in
Not training - transformation. The journey Nigel calls "from experience to expression".
Book Nigel to speak
Keynotes and talks on leadership, resilience, nature and owning who you are - for conferences, leadership events and board away-days.
Programmes & coaching
Leadership development programmes, executive coaching, and leadership-team work are delivered through Nigel's firm, Outstanding Global.
Books
Written from experience, not theory
Cancer Patience: Hope and Healing Through Nature is Nigel R. Hughes's account of his experience of colorectal cancer between 2013 and 2015. It grew out of the candid weekly updates he wrote to friends and family during treatment - unvarnished dispatches on fear, uncertainty, the highs and lows, trust, love, support, and the quiet, steady help of the natural world.
The book includes a practical Tool Kit for people going through cancer and for those supporting them, and it has taken Nigel to speak at cancer institutes and conferences internationally, including in Munich. Proceeds are donated to cancer charities.
Buy the book - available in paperback and e-book.
Brotherhood is written in memory of Nigel's friend Erick Ray Evans (1950 - 1999), whose portrait by Daniel Morgenstern appears on its title page - a book about friendship, and about the people who shape who we become.
Buy Brotherhood on Amazon - available as an e-book.
Coming next: Marines or Ballet
Nigel's forthcoming book begins with the careers adviser who tried to send him to the Marines - and follows what happened when he chose ballet instead. A story about identity, courage, and owning who you are.
Trees of Paradise - a story of adventure, strength and leadership - is co-written with Ric Edelman and tells of the journey that changed the course of Nigel's life: a rainforest quest through Borneo, Australia and Papua New Guinea that grew into decades of conservation work and the protection of 2,000 square miles of virgin rainforest in partnership with the communities who call it home. First published in 1991 and reissued in an updated edition, with more photographs, in 2020.
Buy Trees of Paradise on Amazon - available as an e-book.
Speaking & boards
Keynotes, leadership programmes and advisory roles
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Leadership, rooted in nature
Why the natural world is the most reliable teacher a senior leader has - drawn from founding the Green Light Trust, inspiring 62 community woodlands, and protecting rainforest in Papua New Guinea.
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Hope, resilience and nature
Drawn from Nigel's own cancer journey and his book Cancer Patience: resilience for patients, carers, clinicians and anyone leading through the hardest of circumstances.
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Pioneering peace and sustainability
Lessons from Nigel's work with UNESCO, rainforest conservation and aid programmes on leading change that outlasts you.
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Marines or ballet: owning who you are
On identity and the courage to take the unexpected path - using storytelling and performance thinking to unlock courageous conversations.
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The non-executive director
Nigel serves boards seeking governance insight grounded in real-world delivery, expertise in sustainability and ESG, creative arts-based methods - and the courage to ask the questions others won't.
Recent engagements
- Gilead, US
- ProMX, UK and Europe
- UNESCO peace programme, India
- Digestive cancer institute, Munich
- Leadership programmes, UK
- Conservation initiatives
Inspire. Engage. Empower.
Testimonials
“Nigel has rocked my world professionally.”
From the leaders he has coached.
“Nigel has rocked my world professionally. He has taught me how to dream big, believe, connect with myself and my purpose. He is a superb executive coach who is values driven; he cuts through the clutter of life and gets to the knub of you and how you can make a positive impact. His innovative, bold, creative style has directly influenced my leadership style and allowed me to inspire, connect and motivate those around me. He is hired by the best in industry around the globe – because he is the best. We need more people like this in the world!”
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Nigel over several years, first while I was an employee at Bertelsmann and currently as co-founder at VC-funded startup, Sprinque. Nigel really knows how to get to the bottom of issues and topics through a series of clever questions and exercises. Working with Nigel is a life-changing experience and there is never a dull moment with his sessions! I would highly recommend Nigel and his team!”
“As a coach, Nigel actively listens, provides clear guidance and constructively challenges. During our time working together, I've come to value his advice which is always balanced and well thought out. Nigel is a colourful character, with strong integrity and personal values – always helps make a session interesting!!!”
“I have worked with Nigel on both his roles as Leadership Mentor and as powerful Coach. His dedication and ability to help me embark on a self-awareness journey has been of huge value and led me to reveal my true passion. An enriching experience”
“Nigel has the talent, tools and tenacity to inspire a greater level of consciousness and ‘can do’ attitude in every individual he interacts with”
Writing & updates
Follow Nigel's thinking
Essays on Substack, and regular posts on LinkedIn.
On Substack
On LinkedIn
Media & interviews
Conversations, features and film
Follow Nigel on LinkedIn
Nigel is very vocal on LinkedIn - leadership, nature and purpose, several times a month.
Inspire. Engage. Empower.
If something here has sparked a thought - start a conversation.
About your leaders, your team, your event, or your board. No hard sell; just a conversation about what could change.
Outstanding Global · 80 Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QB · outstanding.global