The Leadership Coaches has become a Fair Payment Code (FPC) Gold Awardee for demonstrating best payment practices. Launched in December 2024 the Fair Payment Code is managed by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.
The tiered system of Awards is aimed at awarding best practice and driving improvements in payment performance. Gold Awardees pay at least 95% of all invoices within 30 days alongside agreeing to abide by the Code’s principles of being Clear, Fair and Collaborative with their suppliers.
The Leadership Coaches is a premium executive coaching service, specialising in tailored coaching for C Suite and Director level leaders in medium and large corporate organisations.
Asked about why The Leadership Coaches applied to the Fair Payment Code Zoé Lewis, CEO Founder said:
“Having been a freelance consultant myself, I know the frustration of waiting on payments. It was especially frustrating when large companies, despite having the means, took longer to pay. Smaller businesses were more conscious of cash flow and understood the importance of paying on time to support growth.
I understand what it means to run a micro business. This is how people earn their living and provide for their families. Paying fairly and on time is not just a responsibility. It is a duty of care and respect.
If we do not look after our associates and pay them fairly, they cannot continue delivering their best work. That has a ripple effect on every business in the chain, from micro to macro.”
Founded by CEO Zoé Lewis in January 2020, we have built a reputation for excellence, aligning executive growth with organisational goals to drive measurable and sustainable change. Our dynamic and diverse team of freelance executive coaches delivers world class coaching to global businesses, ensuring leadership development translates into real impact.
But we are more than a premium coaching provider. We are a business with purpose. Committed to addressing inequity and poverty, we reinvest our profits to make a difference. We donate beyond one percent for the planet, and many of our coaches give their time pro bono to mentor and coach individuals who would otherwise lack access. Our mission is to support those with the drive to grow but who are held back by financial barriers. At The Leadership Coaches, respect and diversity are at our core. We believe that true leadership is not just about success. It is about making a meaningful difference.
Zoé Lewis, CEO Founder of The Leadership Coaches said:
“As Founder and CEO of The Leadership Coaches, I committed to running a fair and ethical business, one where no one in our supply chain waits more than 30 days for payment, even when we are paid on longer terms. This hasn’t always been easy, as a growing small business with various setbacks, but we’ve challenged our clients to do the same. Fair and timely payment should be a given, yet we made sure to role model it before asking others to follow. True leadership in driving change means leading by example. I’m proud of how we support our suppliers because building an economy that works for everyone means valuing the ‘little fish’ as much as the big ones.”
Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner said:
“Congratulations to The Leadership Coaches on their Gold Fair Payment Code Award. Everyone benefits when suppliers are paid quickly and fairly, and they thrive. Embedding a culture of fair payment practices in your business is good for your own bottom line as well as for the economy, communities and wider society.”
For more information about the Fair Payment Code please see https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/fpc/ or contact comms@smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk.
To get in touch with Zoé Lewis of The Leadership Coaches, please contact info@theleadershipcoaches.co.uk
