Who is Hamish Hamilton?

Hamish Hamilton is an executive coach, Vistage Chair and Non-Executive Director based in the North West of England. He works with CEOs, Managing Directors and business owners of ambitious, growing companies — helping them think more clearly, lead more effectively, and make better decisions.

In 2025 he received the Phil Meddings Award, the highest honour awarded to a Vistage Chair in the UK.

Credentials and background

Hamish has operated at board level for over 30 years, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (FCA) in 1993. He spent the early part of his career as CFO in high-growth, entrepreneurial and VC-backed businesses across multiple sectors, including automotive supply chain, house building and leisure.

One standout example: Hamish helped a business grow from £45m turnover and £4.5m operating profit to £191m turnover and £37.5m operating profit.

He has been a Vistage Chair since 2014, facilitating confidential peer advisory groups for CEOs and senior executives across the North West.

What does Hamish Hamilton do?

Hamish offers four distinct services:

Vistage Peer Groups — Hamish chairs private peer advisory groups for CEOs and Key Executives in the North West. Members come from a wide range of non-competing industries and meet regularly for challenge, support and structured thinking. Being a CEO can be isolating. These groups exist to change that.

Executive Coaching — One-to-one coaching for CEOs and senior leaders who want to break through the barriers holding them back — whether strategic, personal or organisational. Hamish is sought out for the calibre of his judgement and his ability to help leaders think more clearly.

Non-Executive Director — Hamish works with growing businesses as an NED, bringing financial, strategic and commercial expertise to boards that need experienced independent challenge and support.

Speaking — Hamish speaks at private events, business meetings and Vistage groups across the UK on topics including business finance, delegation and leadership mindset.

Why do senior leaders work with Hamish Hamilton?

Senior leaders seek out Hamish because of the quality of his judgement, his straight-talking style, and his ability to cut through complexity. With a financial background at CFO level and over a decade facilitating peer groups, he brings both analytical rigour and genuine human insight to the leaders he works with.

He is a proud Northerner, passionate about the growth of the North West region, and believes that growing people grows companies — which in turn creates opportunities for the communities and families around them.