Our Team

Who We Are

Optima is led by Jo and Mark Small. We design and deliver leadership development, facilitation, coaching and embedded partnership work across sectors including construction, banking, manufacturing, pharma and professional services.

Our work is practical, structured and grounded in real organisational systems.

We do not operate as a training factory. We work directly with our clients – from first conversation to final delivery.

Two Complementary Strengths

Our work brings together two distinct but aligned approaches.

Jo’s focus is behavioural clarity.

She works with leaders and teams to surface patterns, strengthen communication and build trust in practical ways. Her work combines structured frameworks with direct, thoughtful challenge.

Mark’s focus is operational clarity.

He works at system level – mapping decision structures, stabilising delivery, facilitating alignment and (where needed) stepping in as embedded leader within defined authority.

Together, this creates a balance between:

Behaviour and structure.
Conversation and accountability.
Reflection and implementation.