About

Foundations

In 2007 John Whittington was asked by a fellow coach to share what he knew of the systemic coaching and constellations approach. This small start led to others joining an informal group that, after a couple of years, grew into a regular learning circle and moved to a venue in central London for small groups of coaches. The format and content was developed and the circle became, by 2011, an accredited training which John was invited to facilitate across the UK and Europe.

Before this John was a manager, a leader and entrepreneur in the corporate and brand communications business. Following a personal and professional transition period he launched, in 2002, The Riverbank Partnership a coaching practice focused on working with clients at the point where personal, professional and organisational systems overlap in creative and entrepreneurial businesses. Through a combination of insight into what we are born with (innate personality type), what we are born into (family of origin dynamics) and the application of psychodynamic and systemic principles the Partnership’s reputation attracted a wide portfolio of clients in the UK, Europe and USA. As his knowledge of systems deepened he introduced the principles and practices into his practice and his journey from coach to facilitator and trainer began. At the same time John became a familiar face to executive students at The London Business School where he was invited to work as a visiting coach on a range of leadership development programmes in London, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Sensitive, safe and very respectful of our challenging questions. His knowledge is embodied and doesn’t fill the room – creating an open spaciousness and powerful learning experience.

In 2010 John launched Business Constellations offering facilitated workshops and systemic coaching for significant global businesses in the UK, Europe and the US. The company is now working with some of the worlds leading corporates to support the development of organisational and business vitality in leadership, teams and whole organisations.

In 2011 John was invited to join the visiting team at the Henley Business School – Centre for Coaching and Facilitation – teaching systemic coaching and constellations to students on Henley’s MSc in Coaching and Behavioural change programme. As a result of this pilot he was invited to repeat and extend this teaching programme in 2012 and beyond.

In 2012 John continues to facilitate, with active support from former students, regular training in the fundamentals of systemic coaching and constellations, for executive coaches. He offers the training on a regular basis in London, UK and internationally by invitation.

On June 1st 2012 his book, ‘Systemic Coaching and Constellations. An introduction to the principles, practices and application.’ will be launched. It is currently available to pre-order on AMAZON.

John will be facilitating the first of a new series of advanced trainings in 2012, for executive coaches who have completed one of the fundamentals trainings. This retreat style training will be held in southern Europe in September 2012.

He is also involved in the not-for-profit personal issues programme of workshops which he co-founded with three others in 2008 to provide a low cost gateway into this way of working for individuals searching for clarity around challenging or stuck personal issues.

For all 2012/2013 workshops, conferences and trainings please visit the DIARY page.

The Team

During 2011 the Coaching Constellations team expanded to accommodate the wide range of requests we get for trainings, workshops and more from across the world. To support this growing demand for this work we have two people who now manage all aspects of the administration for our programmes. Steve (all administration, bookings and payments etc) and Sue (special projects, events and summer retreats) are at your service and able to answer any question you may have. You can contact Steve here: steve(at)coachingconstellations.com and Sue here sue(at)coachingconstellations.com

John will be joined on the Spring ‘12 (London) training this year by former student Andy and on the Autumn training in London by Richard.

The history to date

2011 workshops & learning circles

His focus on experiential learning creates a rich, trusting group dynamic and learning experience. Insights and unexpected resolutions flow, creating a depth of personal and professional resource.

A number of introductory workshops in London provided a ‘taster’ of this way of working in a one-day workshop format. John also facilitated a number of experiential conference sessions and CPD workshops throughout 2011 as well as several in-house corporate workshops. In the spring of 2011 John facilitated a joint session with the board of The ICF and the board of The EMCC in southern Europe. This workshop was designed to clarify and enhance the levels of understanding and collaboration between these two global coaching organisations. A case study which describes the workshop is included in John’s new book – Systemic Coaching and Constellations – and now available on AMAZON.

His annual trainings were available for those looking for a training in the fundamentals of systemic coaching and constellations in the UK and Europe. Other workshops, consulting assignments, learning circles and experiential presentations (for coaches, in-house coaches, leaders and/or executive teams) were arranged by invitation and co-creation, internationally.

2010 engagements

Regular Coaching Constellation workshops in London (for coaches and coaches with clients) in February, May and October. In 2010 John facilitated his annual coaching constellations learning circle in London, a coaching supervision group in Luxembourg, and demonstrated constellations at a number of coaching events.

A very stimulating and thought provoking session which set
off alarm bells about standard coach training, coaching and leadership interventions

In 2010 John worked as a systemic consultant to the global board of the The International Coaching Federation (ICF). This work gave the board a fresh perspective on the issues facing them and a new language with which to speak about challenging and previously hidden issues. The consulting project resulted in John being invited to facilitate an introduction to constellations at the ICF Dallas Fort Worth conference. This workshop session, in October 2010, was supplemented by an article in the ICF magazine and a teleclass for ICF members.

His client work, across multiple industry sectors, took him from London to Hong Kong, San Fransisco, Atlanta, Dubai and Los Angeles.

John’s commitment to his own personal and professional development continued in 2010 within an international training in Holland, over 15 days, with Jan Jacob Stam at the Dutch Bert Hellinger Institute.

2009:

November 2009, Amsterdam

Even though I’ve experienced constellations before this was inspiring, excellent and very helpful.

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council annual conference, November 2009. John facilitated a session in which the underlying principles of this approach were explained and then bought to life through exercises and a full constellation around an issue bought by a delegate.

September 2009, Bristol

John’s delivery and facilitation was confident, inclusive and relaxed with a great respect and 
honouring of the comments and observations.

The Euro Coach annual conference, Bristol. John introduced the principles and practice behind ‘Coaching Constellations’ and worked with a live issue bought by a delegate – showing the benefits of a systemic coaching stance and the application of constellations methodology in a challenging 
coach/client relationship.

May 2009, Milton Keynes

Both Simon and John showed great insight and skill.

The British Association for Psychological Type annual conference. Simon Loveday & John Whittington facilitated an experiential session exploring questions of MBTI personality type clarity using constellations.

For more information or enquiries about workshops, conferences or dates, please contact administration manager, Sue, via our contact page.

John Whittington is a member of The European Mentoring and Coaching Council, the International Coach Federation, the British Association of Psychological Type and The International Systemic Constellations Association.