121 career immersion on the banks of the River Exe

Reset, refocus and re-imagine your career

The Retreat is a 2 or 3 day immersion at our waterside location in Topsham, Devon. With private accommodation and coastal views, it's the perfect place to reset and refocus your career strategy.

Each day blends structured sessions, outdoor coaching, and time for reflection — so insights can percolate deeply. Optional activities like Qigong and countryside walks promote well-being and clarity.

Topsham is under 2.5hrs from London Paddington and typically we let you settle in the first evening, then have 2 days of active discussion and development, mixed in with escapes into the local countryside.

The Retreat typical schedule

The Retreat schedules are tailored to the individual, but a typical schedule would be:

Pre-work	Depending on your situation, we can give you some simple exercises to think about in advance, so we can start to unpack these when you arrive. We recognise this isn’t always possible, so will be guided by you and the goals you want to achieve.
Day 1	The event opens with a warm welcome and space to shift gears. Attendees begin by exploring their “North Star” — what they want to be known for, how they want to work, and what matters most in their next chapter. Through guided reflection using tools like the Ikigai framework, they gain clarity on personal values, purpose, and lifestyle goals. In group events, peer sharing builds early connection and psychological safety. Evening ends with a reflective prompt from their "future self" and a preview of the journey ahead.
Day 2 –deep immersion	This is the heart of the experience. The day opens with deep self-insight work: strengths, saboteurs, career patterns, and mindset. Attendees explore key portfolio options (e.g., NED, coach, interim) and use SWOT and quadrant exercises to uncover what fits. Case studies and role-specific profiles help ground choices in real-world insight. They assess financial needs, risk tolerance, and support infrastructure. By day’s end, each participant drafts a personalised Portfolio Strategy Canvas — a visual one-page plan for what they want to build and why.
Day 3 – wrap up and activation	The final day focuses on how to take this insight into action. Participants refine their brand story, LinkedIn strategy, and CV for specific roles (e.g., NED vs consultant). Workshops on relationship-building and visibility tactics equip them to approach networks and intermediaries confidently. They explore early “anchor” roles to gain traction while maintaining flexibility. The event ends with personal commitments, peer pledges, and a structured 90-day plan — ensuring each attendee leaves not just inspired, but equipped and accountable.

Benefits of outdoor coaching

Every day we spend hours on screens, which we believe can close down our ability to think clearly. To counter this at the retreat encourages more open conversation and allows the time and space to discuss topics deeply. Part of this involves simply getting outside and talking.

The physical movement or walking or engaging in an outdoor activity stimulates cognitive function and creativity, has a calming effect and reduces anxiety, boosts energy levels, and allows deeper self-reflection and clarity of thinking.

Groups

Alongside our 121 offers we do group sessions. These take place at our retreat location in Devon. Getting the make-up right for these group sessions is important. If you would like to register your interest in a group session, please register your interest here.

"You’re a tin on the supermarket shelf — what’s on your label that makes someone pick you up?"

121 career immersion on the banks of the River Exe

Reset, refocus and re-imagine your career

The Retreat typical schedule

The Retreat schedules are tailored to the individual, but a typical schedule would be:

Proactive Career Management

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Proactive Career Management

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Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

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Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Benefits of outdoor coaching

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management

Proactive Career Management