Build Leaders.
Scale Without Burning Yourself Out.

You're running the show because nobody else is ready. Leadership training, business coaching, and fundraising support that actually works — built on 25 years scaling a £12m business across eight markets.

Book a 20-minute consultation Explore my services

25+

Years in business

£12m

Turnover at scale

8

International markets

Why work with me

The person behind the programmes

I built and scaled Oak Automobile from nothing to £12m across eight international markets. I didn't hire a consultant to tell me how to do it — I lived it. Currency volatility. Hiring decisions you second-guess at 2am. Markets that looked perfect on a spreadsheet and turned out differently on the ground.

That experience taught me something most trainers don't know: what complexity actually does to a business, and how to fix it.

I don't deliver generic programmes. I work with your context, your sector, your actual challenge. My clients include Scotland's colleges, Business Gateway, third sector organisations, and growing SMEs. They come back because I tell them the truth, not what they want to hear.

25+

Years building and scaling across markets

£12m

Turnover at scale (Oak Automobile)

£580k+

Raised for third sector clients

8

International markets

How I help

Services designed around outcomes

Each service starts with the problem you're dealing with. Here's how I solve it.

Leadership & Management Development

You're hiring faster than you can train. Practical leadership training for colleges, public sector, or your own business. Accredited where it matters, bespoke where it counts. Your managers step up. Everyone stops waiting for you.

Colleges Public sector Growing businesses

Executive Coaching (1-to-1)

Navigating growth or complexity that's hard to talk about in a room full of people? One-to-one coaching for owners and leaders. No theory. Practical work on the decisions that matter: hiring, pricing, delegation, managing your board.

Owner-managers CEOs Senior leaders

Fundraising & Bid Writing

You need funding but don't want to spend months on applications. End-to-end support: research, drafting, budget building, funder relationships. £580k+ raised for third sector clients. I know what funders actually look for.

Third sector Charities Community organisations

International Trade Consulting

Ready to enter a new market but not sure how? Already there and it's messier than expected? I've done this across eight markets. Practical support: who to talk to, what to watch for, how to move fast.

Export Market entry Asia-Pacific

Who trusts this approach

Leadership Programmes
UHI Perth · Forth Valley College · Edinburgh College
Business Support
Business Gateway (Expert Help) · GrowBiz (Mentoring)
Third Sector
Volunteer Edinburgh (Fundraising) · Tay Cities business support
For Colleges

Training, mentoring and employer support

FWDF, RISE, TAF delivery. Funded programme design, employer engagement, business mentoring, leadership development and evaluation.

Colleges winning FWDF, RISE and TAF funding face three core challenges: finding employers who commit to partnerships, designing training that leads to recognised progression, and measuring outcomes in a way the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) accepts. Most trainers solve one. Here is how I solve all three.

What I offer colleges

Funded programme delivery

Design and delivery for FWDF, RISE and TAF. Working with employers and cohorts to hit funder outcomes.

Employer engagement and support

Finding employer partners, building relationships, keeping them committed through the programme. I have run companies. I speak their language.

Business mentoring and enterprise training

One-to-one and cohort delivery for learners, start-ups and SMEs. Real financials, real decisions, from someone who built a £12m business across 8 international markets.

Leadership development

Practical leadership for SME owners, managers and college learners. What works when you have limited resources and real pressure.

Evaluation and Scottish Funding Council compliance

Pre and post measurement, outcome reporting, case studies designed from day one. Your data is ready when funders ask.

Delivery: Online, face to face, training room.

Why it works

I have run companies

Built and sold a £12m business across 8 international markets. Met payroll, managed cash flow, negotiated deals, grown a team. When I sit with an employer, they hear peer conversation, not trainer language. They commit because I have done it.

Compliance built in

Scottish Funding Council reporting designed from day one. Pre and post measurement, case studies, outcome data ready when funders ask.

Practical delivery

Training that works for people in real businesses. I deliver face-to-face, online and blended. Works for different learning styles and business constraints.

Where it is working

UHI Perth Enterprise mentoring and employer support, Tay Cities Deal
Business Gateway Tayside Expert Help and SME coaching
Business Gateway Edinburgh Expert Help and SME coaching
GrowBiz Scotland Enterprise facilitation and mentoring
Ready to discuss a pilot? Let's start with a 15-minute call
What clients say

Client feedback

I work best with clients who want honest, practical support rather than someone who tells them what they want to hear.

"Having been a part-time sole trader for 18 months, the way forward felt uncertain and overwhelming. The advice and support I received was timely, professional and relevant. I felt 'heard' and understood."
Clare, Wild Workforce (GrowBiz client)
"Michael is a fantastic Business Consultant. He is knowledgeable, attentive, and incredibly professional. Nothing is too much trouble, he goes the extra mile. Whether setting out a business proposal or executing a deal, Michael is the kind of person you want in your corner. I highly recommend Michael to any of my contacts or friends."
John A Muir (Business Gateway client)
Not sure what you need?

Start with a conversation

A 20-minute conversation is usually enough to work out whether I can help and, if so, what the right shape of support looks like.

I work with colleges, Business Gateway, third sector organisations, and SMEs across Scotland and the UK. I also take on selected international assignments.

Current availability varies month to month. The best first step is to get in touch.

Email
michael@michaelcostello.co.uk
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
About this business
Converge Solutions Ltd (SC828801), trading as Michael Costello Training, Converge Global, and Trade Compass.

Also see: Converge Global (International business coaching for founders) | Trade Compass (Vehicle supply)