John Baker brings four decades of leadership and business experience covering private, public, listed and non-listed organisations, a number of which he has led successfully through every phase of the economic cycle.

A pragmatic, people-centric leader, he is known for a no-nonsense, but supportive approach, with the ultimate aim of helping others to shine. He works with both Executives and other leaders who are either undertaking a new challenge, project or role. The transition period into a new role, be it internal or external, is critical in creating the environment to be successful.

Following a career in the Royal Air Force and then corporate HR specialising in OD and behavioural change, John moved into consultancy. He operated as an HR Search & Selection consultant for over 20 years. He managed the leading UK HR search & selection business, Macmillan Davies Hodes (MDH) for 8 years as CEO before moving to The Next Step in Australia.

Having led The Next Step in Brisbane for 4 years, following 2 years as Managing Director for The Next Step & The Safe Step across Australia, he assumed the role of Joint Group Managing Director alongside the Group’s Founder. In 2019, he reverted back to the role of MD for The Next Step, before leaving the group in February 2021 to seek his next career challenge.

In May 2021, he joined Troocoo as a Director of Executive Search to continue working with the senior business community in Queensland, solving their executive talent challenges.

He was then briefly Chief Performance Officer with Executive Performance Partners, supporting executives to move their leadership performance from Good to Great, before leaving to start Leadership Performance.

Areas of Expertise:

• Leadership development
• Role transition – from leader to leader of leaders
• Managing growth
• Executive coaching
• Managing change