At Ministry of Work, we’re lucky to be surrounded by incredible people with diverse backgrounds and inspiring stories. One of those is Dave Callan, a former senior marketing leader turned personal performance coach, helping people achieve their goals and unlock their potential.
From Marketing Powerhouse to Coaching Trailblazer
Dave spent 20 years in marketing, holding senior roles in some of the biggest brands in the world. His journey started in financial services at First Direct, a UK brand of HSBC, where he gained invaluable experience in digital transformation and brand storytelling.
His career then took an exciting turn into sports marketing, working at Manchester United’s commercial team during a period of incredible growth. “When I joined, the club was doing around £400 million a year in revenue, and by the time I left, it was over £750 million, largely due to the expansion of commercial sponsorships.” As a lifelong United fan, it was a dream job, but the extensive global travel became difficult with a young family.
Dave’s next move saw him transition into the cycling world, joining Team Sky as Chief Marketing Officer just before its transformation into Team INEOS. “I was responsible for everything off the bike – fan engagement, commercial partnerships, and brand communication.” After that, he stepped into a role at Travel Counsellors, helping them achieve £1 billion in revenue as a key member of the executive board.
Despite his success, something was missing. “I had always been into personal development and coaching, but I was holding onto limiting beliefs about staying in the corporate world. Through coaching, I realised the only thing holding me back was myself.” That realisation led Dave to launch Onto Coaching, leaving behind corporate life to focus on helping others achieve peak performance.
“I realised the only thing holding me back was myself”
Building a Business with Purpose
Onto Coaching is about helping individuals push past their limitations. Dave describes it as a mix of mindset coaching, behavioural change, and goal-setting. “Many of my clients are high achievers on paper but feel stuck. Whether it’s changing careers, improving performance, or making lifestyle shifts, I help them reframe their thinking and take action.”
In just a few months, Dave has already seen incredible results. “I’ve had clients completely change their lifestyles, others leave jobs they were unhappy in, and some who have finally pushed past barriers they’d faced for years.”
The Challenges of Entrepreneurship
Leaving the corporate world behind was a huge leap, but Dave believes it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made. “You assume when you leave a stable job, everything will fall apart, but in reality, you feel more alive than ever.” However, like all entrepreneurs, he’s faced challenges. “The biggest challenge is wearing multiple hats – client delivery, marketing, operations – while still focusing on the long-term vision.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Onto Coaching
While Dave’s immediate focus is helping his current clients succeed, he’s also planning for the future. “I want to launch events, a podcast, and scale my content to reach more people.” He’s also exploring corporate partnerships to help leadership teams develop better performance habits.
How Dave Can Help the Ministry of Work Community
Dave’s expertise spans marketing strategy, brand building, and personal performance coaching. “I spent most of my career leading large teams and setting brand strategies. So, whether it’s helping founders position their business, build resilience, or improve their mindset, I’m happy to share my insights.”
Despite his marketing background, Dave admits he’s still adjusting to the execution side of marketing for his own business. “I was always focused on the bigger picture, but now I’m the one writing LinkedIn posts, managing my website, and doing the hands-on work. Any advice or support from fellow marketers and web specialists would be invaluable.”
Life Beyond Work
Outside of coaching, Dave is a dedicated family man and an endurance sports enthusiast. “I’ve done Ironman triathlons, ultra-marathons, and cycling events – I love pushing my limits.” His latest challenge? Learning to actually relax. “I’ve started watching TV with my family, something I never used to do. Finding balance is something I’m working on.”
The Best Advice He’s Ever Received?
Dave credits Steve Peters’ ‘Chimp Paradox’ as a game-changer in his life, “Understanding how to manage your emotions is the key to unlocking potential.”
“I used to think emotions were a weakness, but now I see them as a performance attribute”
Connect with Dave
The best way to reach Dave is on LinkedIn or through his website onto-coaching.com. Whether you need help with mindset, performance, or strategy, he’s always happy to chat over a coffee at Ministry of Work.
Dave’s journey is a testament to the power of self-belief, continuous learning, and having the courage to take the leap. If you’re looking for marketing insights, coaching support, or just an inspiring conversation, make sure to connect with him!
