About Me

Turning lived experience into practical lessons that help your small business thrive.

Fiona Macintosh leadership training for small business owners sitting in front of a wall with trees in background

I’m Fiona MacIntosh, and I help small business owners step into leadership with confidence, unlock motivation, and support the wellbeing of their people. My approach combines professional training with lived experience, from teaching and leading teams, to building a care team for my disabled son, to volunteering with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

When I’m not working with business owners, I’m at Dunnbeag Croft in Caithness, where caring for animals reminds me daily of the resilience, patience and responsibility that lie at the heart of good leadership.

My Story

My early career was spent working in small businesses, before I returned to study and began a new chapter in education, teaching for 18 years with UHI North Highland.

Alongside this, I took on one of the most significant leadership roles of my life: building and managing a small care team to support my disabled son. Leading in that context meant balancing professional expectations with family life, and navigating the reality of having people work inside our home. I didn’t always get it right, but I always learned; lessons that taught me the importance of clarity, compassion and resilience.

Fiona Macintosh kneeling with her dog on a rural road in Caithness

Fiona Macintosh in Royal Air Force Air Cadets uniform, smiling and gesturing—embodying service, confidence, and motivational leadership.

I’ve also volunteered with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets for over 30 years, progressing from Civilian Instructor to Commissioned Officer and Squadron Commander. That role has given me invaluable experience of leading both young people and adults, balancing discipline with encouragement, and helping people achieve more than they thought possible.

To support my practice, I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing, a CPCAB Diploma in Mental Health Awareness, and I am both an Licensed Liberating Leadership® Practitioner and a Licensed Motivational Maps® Practitioner.

I also trained in advanced hypnosis and NLP with Ali Campbell, one of the UK’s most respected hypnotherapists and trainers. The training is fully accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), and I use these techniques gently, only when helpful, and only if clients want them.

Fiona Macintosh leadership training seated with document folder

Frosty sunrise over Dunnbeag Croft with the sun glowing through a line of bare trees and a flock of sheep grazing in a misty field

Outside of Work

Life at Dunnbeag Croft in Caithness is a big part of who I am. I care for sheep, pigs, hens, ducks, and our Clydesdale horse, Katie. Crofting is hard work, but it keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me of the rhythms of life and leadership; patience when things take longer than expected, resilience when challenges come along, and the responsibility of caring for others every day.

Much like running a small business, crofting is about balance: putting in the graft, looking after the wellbeing of those in your care, and keeping an eye on the bigger picture so everything can flourish.

My Approach

My style is straightforward and supportive. I listen to your challenges, co-create solutions that fit your world, and bring practical strategies you can use right away.

I’m not about hype or high-energy pep talks. You won’t find any fluff or “feel-good” slogans here — just an honest, down-to-earth approach to understanding what drives people and creating real, lasting change. For me, leadership is about clarity, consistency, and care.

And because no business owner should feel isolated, I connect you with a trusted network of partners where needed.

What Others Say About Me

"helped me consider things from a different perspective"

I had a wonderfully enlightening session with Fiona. She asked great questions, tuned into my responses and helped me consider things from a different perspective. I left with much more clarity and confidence in my next steps.

Fiona Penman

Owner

Penman Coaching

"instils confidence, challenges you to grow, and builds trust effortlessly"

Fiona is an outstanding leader who inspires and motivates those around her. She instils confidence, challenges you to grow, and builds trust effortlessly. Fiona has influenced my career in ways I never thought possible.

Sarah Simpson

UHI North Highland

Vision, Mission & Values

Vision: A million small businesses flourishing.

I see a world where small business owners and their teams thrive. Growing in confidence, reaching their potential, and creating workplaces where people truly flourish.

Mission: Empowering small business owners to grow into confident, people-focused leaders.

Through leadership training, motivation insight, and wellbeing support, I help small business owners unlock their potential, develop their people, and build thriving businesses.