About me

Leadership That Feels Real

I’m Danny Cook, a Leadership Development Business Partner and founder of DC Growth Leadership.
I’ve spent years helping leaders across the UK grow their confidence, capability and impact in a way that feels human, practical and real — not corporate, not over-complicated, and definitely not a tick-box exercise.

My background spans large, complex, people-centred organisations where culture, behaviour and capability truly matter. I’ve coached and developed hundreds of leaders at every level — from brand-new managers to senior leaders responsible for whole regions — designing programmes that shift mindsets, build confidence, strengthen culture and create real, measurable change.

I’m known for being warm, grounded and straight-talking.
I make leadership simple.
I make growth feel possible.
And I genuinely care about people getting better — not just at leading others, but at leading themselves.

Through DC Growth Leadership, I bring together everything I’m passionate about:
✔ practical workshops that actually stick
✔ coaching that builds confidence and clarity
✔ courses that develop leaders, not just “managers”
✔ culture-focused development that transforms how people show up every day

Whether I’m working 1:1 or with a whole team, my goal is always the same:
help people grow, so organisations grow with them.

If you want leadership development that feels real, grounded and genuinely transformative — you’re in the right place.

My Experience

2023 – Present | Leadership Development Business Partner — HC-One

Leading the design and delivery of leadership and organisational development across 80+ care homes and 100+ leaders in Scotland and the North-East.

Build and deliver multi-tiered leadership frameworks focused on emotional intelligence, inclusive leadership and situational awareness.
Deliver high-impact 1:1 coaching, diagnostics, leadership forums and strategic onboarding.
Designed and rolled out Learn, Lead, Change across 270+ HC-One care homes.
Use data-driven evaluation to measure impact and continuously strengthen development.
Act as a strategic partner to regional leaders and HR, supporting culture, talent and large-scale change.

2020 – 2023 | People Development Manager — Ocado

Led the people development function within a high-performance, tech-driven operational environment.

Managed an L&D team and designed CMI-accredited leadership programmes.
Built a Development Hub, structured onboarding pathways and learning analytics linked to performance.
Partnered with operations to align development to behavioural expectations and business outcomes.

2018 – 2020 | Operations Manager (Digital Services) — Npower

Led digital transformation and continuous improvement in a regulated utilities environment.

Embedded lean methodologies and digital-first ways of working.
Supported senior leaders with strategic change initiatives and operational improvements.
Developed high-performing teams through coaching, capability building and clarity of standards.

2014 – 2018 | Performance Coach — Npower

Delivered coaching, behavioural development and performance support across large operational teams.

Improved consistency, communication and people leadership capability.
Supported leaders to strengthen performance management, team culture and customer outcomes.

2011 – 2014 | Early Roles in Coaching, Customer Leadership & Service

Held a range of roles across energy and service industries that built the foundations of your leadership style.

Developed core strengths in communication, coaching, customer experience and people development.
Established your values-led, practical, human approach to leadership.

My Qualifications

Education & Qualifications

(Full, professional, website-ready)

PGCE in Education (Mentoring, Coaching & Leadership)

Sunderland University | 2022
Focused on advanced coaching, leadership theory, mentoring practice and educational development.

PCET Postgraduate Degree (Distinction)

Sunderland University | 2020
Specialised in adult learning, pedagogy, professional practice and leadership within post-compulsory education.

BA (Hons) Degree in Business Law

Sunderland University
Developed strong foundations in organisational behaviour, strategic decision-making, governance and people-focused leadership.