Testimonials

Hawksmoor Capital Advisors

Why do the world’s top athletes, who’ve mastered their sport over a lifetime, still have coaches? And the answer is simple: even the best need guidance.
This lesson hits home, especially in the world I’m immersed in—the high-stakes, ever-evolving trading industry. We all know the importance of having someone in your corner, someone who’s not just a cheerleader but a guide who can help you push past the limits you thought you had.

After years in the corporate world, working at some of the most prestigious institutions out there, I decided to take the plunge and set up my own company. It wasn’t easy. No amount of experience or big-name credentials can truly prepare you for the challenge of going solo.

It’s been an exciting and eye-opening journey, but like any entrepreneur, I hit a wall. I was stuck. And that’s when Mark came in.

I’ve known Mark for over a decade, mainly from our early-morning chats on the 5:45 train into work. So, you can imagine how odd it felt when he transitioned from a friend into my coach. But any nerves I had were melted away within the first 10 minutes of our first session. Mark has this rare ability to create instant calm. He listens deeply, asks the right questions, and helps you break down the noise into clear, actionable steps. His approach isn’t about telling you what to do—after all, like the pro golfer, I knew the mechanics of the business. But Mark’s coaching gets right to the heart of it, pinpointing the bad habits I hadn’t even noticed building up over time, as well as helping to navigate some of the forks in the business road I had met.

Every session left me with new habits, fresh goals, and a sense of clarity I had lost. And if any of those knew habits didn’t quite work out as hoped, Mark didn’t make me feel like I’d failed. We simply tweaked, adjusted, or dropped what wasn’t working. No drama, no judgement, just a relentless focus on growth and success.

What makes Mark pretty unique is his ability to blend experience with understanding. His journey—managing teams, running businesses, trading—has equipped him with not just the knowledge but also the empathy to be a phenomenal coach. He knows what it’s like to face the kind of pressures that come with taking risks and building something from the ground up.

Mark’s not just a coach, he’s someone who helps you unlock your potential. With his guidance, I know anyone lucky enough to work with him, will reach new heights of success.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Int'l Corp Affairs Executive

I have been working with Mark to support my transition into a new role at a medium sized company, after twenty years in leadership roles at multi-nationals. We’ve focused on analysing my deeply ingrained habits and processes to see what’s transferable, what needs to be adapted and what needs to be discarded, so that I can add value quickly and enjoy the transition.

Mark’s great at helping me strip back the layers so I understand the root causes of my strengths and opportunities and find the value in my previous career and life lessons. He’s also been invaluable in helping me to bank previous successes and mentally reset so that I have a clear vision and goals for this new chapter.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seasoned Advisor & Sales Director

Working with Mark Sheppard at Arena has been one of the most transformative experiences of my professional life. Mark helped me truly understand how far I had come in my career, shifting my focus away from self-doubt and instead helping me see the many positives in everything I’ve accomplished.

He has a remarkable ability to help you uncover your own answers — asking the right questions in just the right way so that clarity comes from within. Through our sessions, Mark helped restore the confidence I had lost in myself and shine a light on the valuable skills I hadn’t fully recognised or appreciated.

I genuinely grew throughout the process. The mindset shift, practical tools, and self-awareness I gained will stay with me, no matter which direction my career takes. And with Mark’s guidance, I now understand that there really are no wrong directions — just new opportunities.

A fantastic coach and now someone I consider a good friend. I can’t recommend Mark highly enough.