the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd
The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd is a UK-based, founder-led corporate training and executive coaching firm founded in 2000, delivering bespoke leadership, management, and team development programmes to medium and large organisations using proprietary NLP-based methodologies and SDI assessment tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersFlitwick, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd does
The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd is a UK-based corporate training and coaching firm founded in 2000 by Jonathan Geard-Beney, operating from Flitwick, Bedfordshire. The company delivers bespoke management and leadership development to medium-to-large organisations, built around three interconnected offerings: one-to-one executive coaching using the proprietary EGG model (Explore confusion, Gain clarity, Get results), customised corporate training programmes emphasising 'sticky learning' that engages emotionally rather than purely intellectually, and a workshop sub-brand called the Executive Playground that modularises content into formats such as time management, personal impact, difficult conversations, and strengths-based development. Underlying methodology combines the founder's NLP Master Practitioner credentials with established assessment frameworks including the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), MBTI, and an internal EARS listening framework.
The firm operates a founder-led, services-only model with a small core team supplemented by a curated bench of sector-specialist associates. All programmes are customised and quote-priced following a consultative needs assessment, with no public pricing or self-service channel. Long-term client relationships are the central commercial pattern, exemplified by an 18+ year engagement with Deloitte spanning training-the-trainer, senior management development centres, and partnership programmes for European Partners and EAs, alongside other enterprise relationships with Volkswagen Group, BAA, Wickes, Debenhams, and World Duty Free. Marketing is content-led and concentrated on the founder's personal brand via blog, email newsletter, video, and Twitter (@jgbdifference), with no e-commerce, no app, no disclosed integrations, and no third-party distribution partnerships. The company is bootstrapped with no institutional funding, no disclosed revenue, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity across its 25-year history.
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd
- Legal name
- The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd
- Website
- https://thediff.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd is a UK-based, founder-led corporate training and executive coaching firm founded in 2000, delivering bespoke leadership, management, and team development programmes to medium and large organisations using proprietary NLP-based methodologies and SDI assessment tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Training Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performance & Accountability Coaching (EDABANAD), Organizational Change & Transformation Coaching (EDABANAG), Coaching, Feedback & Mentoring Skills (EDABAMAM), Performance Management & Coaching Training (EDABAIAB)
Keywords
Where the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Flitwick
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Training Programmes: Customised corporate training programmes delivered to organisations, typically as multi-day or series-based engagements. Training is tailored to organisational culture and individual learner needs, with follow-up support included.
- Executive Coaching: One-to-one coaching programmes with scoping, chemistry meeting, half day face-to-face sessions followed by monthly meetings. Typically 4-6 sessions with interim email or phone support.
- Executive Playground Workshops: Workshop-based learning experiences covering time management, motivation, personal impact, difficult conversations, and strengths-based development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom bespoke programmes - pricing upon consultation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd delivers bespoke corporate training, one-to-one executive coaching, and workshop-based leadership development programmes for medium-to-large organisations. Services are tailored to client organisational culture and individual learner needs, using proprietary methodologies (EGG coaching model, NLP, SDI, EARS) to create emotionally engaging 'sticky learning' that aims to transform managers and build engaged, productive teams.
Product overview
The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd is a corporate training and coaching company founded in 2000 by Jonathan Geard-Beney. The company offers a portfolio of three interconnected core offerings: Coaching (one-on-one professional development using the proprietary EGG process model), Corporate Training (bespoke in-person training programs with 'sticky learning' methodology), and the Executive Playground (a sub-brand of Corporate Training featuring fun, experiential learning modules including Free Up Fridays, Getting The Best From People, Personal Impact, Overcoming Difficult Situations, and Using Your Strengths using the SDI assessment tool). The company has operated for over 25 years and specializes in transforming managers from 'OK to brilliant' through personalized development in leadership, personal effectiveness, customer care, and communication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Coaching One-on-one executive coaching service designed to raise self-awareness, help individuals understand their impact on others and the business, create accountability, develop resilience, and achieve personal and professional goals. Delivered via scoping, chemistry meeting, half-day face-to-face sessions followed by monthly meetings, typically 4-6 sessions with interim email or phone support. Uses the proprietary EGG process model (Explore confusion, Gain clarity, Get results). Targeted at managers, senior managers, and executives.
- Corporate Training Bespoke corporate training programmes focused on creating 'sticky learning' that is fun, thought-provoking, and relevant to people's actual work experiences. Training is emotionally engaging and tailored to organisational culture and individual learner needs, with follow-up support included. Delivered as multi-day or series-based engagements for medium-to-large organisations.
- Executive Playground Workshop-based experiential learning experiences designed to be fun while stretching and challenging participants. Covers time management, motivation, personal impact, difficult conversations, and strengths-based development using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI). Targeted at managers and leaders in medium-to-large organisations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6-fold returns reported on some programmes (BAA Influence and Impact programme)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dale Carnegie Training: Global corporate training organisation specialising in leadership, management, communication, and interpersonal skills programmes for enterprise clients. Comparable in targeting the same corporate training buyer with structured leadership and management development.
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research-based provider of executive education, leadership development programmes, and coaching for senior leaders and high-potential managers. Comparable in leadership development and coaching for managers and executives at large organisations.
- DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership and talent development firm offering leadership training, assessment, coaching, and selection services to large enterprises. Comparable in targeting leadership and management development for enterprise HR and L&D buyers.
- Roffey Park: UK-based, long-established institute providing management and leadership development, coaching, and organisational development programmes to corporate clients. Closely comparable in geographic market, audience (managers, leaders, teams), and bespoke programme design.
- The Humphrey Group: Boutique leadership communication and executive coaching firm working with senior leaders at large organisations. Comparable as a high-touch, methodology-driven boutique focused on leadership presence, communication, and behaviour change.
- FranklinCovey: Global performance and leadership development company selling proprietary content (e.g., '7 Habits') to enterprises via training, coaching, and consulting. Comparable in IP-led leadership and management development sold to large corporate clients.
- Ken Blanchard Companies: Founded on a proprietary leadership model (Situational Leadership), Blanchard delivers leadership training, coaching, and consulting to global enterprises. Comparable in offering proprietary leadership frameworks and behaviour-change programmes to managers and leaders.
Regional players
- Hult Ashridge (Hult EF / Ashridge Executive Education): UK-rooted executive education provider (formerly Ashridge) offering leadership, management, and organisational development programmes to corporate clients across Europe. Comparable as a UK/European-based leadership and management development provider to enterprise buyers.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry (Leadership Development): Global organisational consulting firm with a major leadership development, coaching, and assessment practice. Comparable in selling executive coaching, leadership development, and talent solutions to enterprise clients, but at much larger scale and as part of a broader portfolio.
Emerging players
- BlessingWhite (now Engagedly / GTM Advisors heritage): Engagement and leadership development provider historically focused on manager development, employee engagement, and coaching for mid-market and enterprise clients. Comparable in targeting manager-level leadership and engagement outcomes through training and coaching.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd social profiles
Digital presencethe Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd
What does the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd do?
The Difference Training and Development Co. Ltd delivers bespoke corporate training, one-to-one executive coaching, and workshop-based leadership development programmes for medium-to-large organisations. Services are tailored to client organisational culture and individual learner needs, using proprietary methodologies (EGG coaching model, NLP, SDI, EARS) to create emotionally engaging 'sticky learning' that aims to transform managers and build engaged, productive teams.
Is the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd a public or private company?
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd founded?
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd based?
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd is headquartered in Flitwick, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Corporate Training Programmes are the primary driver. The others are executive Coaching and executive Playground Workshops.
Who are the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dale Carnegie Training, Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), DDI (Development Dimensions International), Roffey Park, The Humphrey Group, FranklinCovey and Ken Blanchard Companies. Hult Ashridge (Hult EF / Ashridge Executive Education) is listed as a regional player. Korn Ferry (Leadership Development) is listed as a broad incumbent. BlessingWhite (now Engagedly / GTM Advisors heritage) is listed as an emerging player.
Does the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd.
What industry is the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd in?
the Difference Training and Development Co.Ltd's product category is Corporate Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAA, Corporate & Leadership Development, with a secondary code of EDABANAD, Performance & Accountability Coaching. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.