--- title: About - Linus Murphy description: Elite executive coach · Former high-growth CEO · Irish National Champion cyclist url: https://linusmurphy.com/about/ language: en-GB type: website author: Linus Murphy author_url: https://linusmurphy.com/about/ --- ![Linus Murphy in a black shirt, facing the camera against a grey studio background](https://linusmurphy.com/images/portraits/linus-hero.jpg) # About me *Elite executive coach · Former high-growth CEO · Irish National Champion cyclist* key benefits ## Real-world results for high-stakes leaders When you sit in the pressure seat, improvement has to be fast, practical and measurable. My coaching distils 25 years of CEO wins and hard-learned lessons into clear actions you and your team feel from day one. **Crystal-clear strategic focus** **Sustainable executive energy** **Faster aligned decisions** **Growth that compounds** 25 Years 45% Annual Growth 20 Countries 80% CEOs or C-suite ## A snapshot in one sentence I help CEOs and C-suite teams[turn bold vision into consistent execution](https://linusmurphy.com/guide/vision-to-execution/transfer-vision-effectively/), drawing on**25 years as a multi-country CEO where we averaged 45% top-line growth** and on my experience winning the Irish National Cycling Championship. [Download the Elite Executive Coaching brochure (PDF, 12 pages, 3.2 MB)](https://linusmurphy.com/downloads/linus-murphy-elite-executive-coaching.pdf) ## Why I coach Leading at the top is thrilling—and isolating. After decades of carrying the P&L, scaling businesses across more than 20 countries and facing the same high-stakes decisions you face today, I realised my biggest shift came from candid, outside perspective. Coaching lets me give that perspective back—confidentially, practically and with zero fluff. ## Career highlights | Year(s) | Role | Impact | | --- | --- | --- | | 2004 – 2026 | **Elite Leadership Coaching, Linus Murphy** | Coaching CEOs, C-suite teams and former elite athletes moving into leadership, from Marbella. | | 2006 – 2019 | **CEO, Keystone Education Group** | Grew from start-up to one of the world’s largest EdTech firms serving 4,500+ institutions, sustaining ~45% annual growth. | | 2001 – 2005 | **Group CEO, Creditsafe** | Expanded the business-information provider globally, posting 48% yearly revenue lift. | | 1995 – 2001 | **Divisional CEO, Rentokil Initial Nordics** | Took revenue from €30 M to €280 M in six years while upgrading service delivery tech. | | 1992 – 1995 | **Sales Director, Rentokil Initial Ireland** | Led Europe’s top-performing sales team (10,000 reps benchmark). | Alongside corporate leadership I’ve lectured at leading business schools on innovation and entrepreneurship, equipping founders and executives alike with scale-up playbooks. ## Coaching philosophy: Inside-Out Leadership™ Lasting change starts with: IdentityBeliefsValuesRulesEmotionsSkillsCommunicationRelationshipsEnvironmentGoalsActions This eleven-part model underpins every engagement, ensuring personal breakthroughs translate into organisational results. ## Outside the boardroom When I’m not coaching leaders, you’ll find me on two wheels. I captured the national cycling title for Ireland and competed internationally—a reminder that performance is both physical and mental, and the root of[why I say winning is an inside job](https://linusmurphy.com/guide/leadership-from-the-inside-out/winning-is-an-inside-job/). The discipline of elite sport continues to shape my coaching approach today. If you are a former elite athlete who now leads as a chief executive, or an athlete moving into business leadership, that work has its own page:[From elite sport to the boardroom](https://linusmurphy.com/services/from-elite-sport-to-the-boardroom/). ## Credentials & affiliations **Executive & Leadership Coach** – Trained in advanced coaching methods, supporting leaders to develop their potential and drive meaningful personal and organisational growth. **Guest Lecturer on Leadership & Entrepreneurship at Top European Business Schools** – Shares real-world leadership frameworks drawn from over 25 years of scaling businesses across 20+ countries, helping executives and founders turn vision into execution. **Keynote Speaker at International Leadership Summits** – Brings high-energy, battle-tested insights from a career leading high-growth companies and competing at elite levels in sport, connecting mindset, performance and results. ## Next step Ready to explore what’s possible? I work with a limited number of executive clients each quarter to protect depth. Book a confidential 30-minute conversation and let’s see whether we’re the right fit to accelerate your next season of growth. [Book a 30-minute strategy call](https://linusmurphy.com/contact/) testimonials ## What others are saying ![Mike Brooks, chief executive of Mr Inside Sales](https://linusmurphy.com/images/portraits/mike-brooks.jpg) > There are very few people who can both do and teach – but Linus is one of those rare business coaches. I highly recommend Linus to anyone who is looking to start or grow or scale a business – he’s been there and done that, and will do it for you, too. Mike BrooksCEO Mr Inside Sales; Award Winning Sales Trainer, Author and Speaker ★★★★★ ![Pat McQuaid, former president of the UCI](https://linusmurphy.com/images/portraits/pat-mcquaid.jpg) > Linus is unbelievably talented at understanding human behaviour and showing us how to effectively apply it in life. No matter who you are and how successful – Linus has lots to offer you. Pat McQuaidFmr President of UCI World Governing Body cycling and Member International Olympic Committee ★★★★★ ![Edward F. Brown, former chief operating officer of Rentokil Initial Group](https://linusmurphy.com/images/portraits/edward-brown.jpg) > Linus is an inspirational leader, team builder and mentor. He develops people in a supportive, uplifting way to grow businesses. Above that, he is an insightful expansionist, clear-thinking visionary. Edward F. BrownFmr Chief Operating Officer Rentokil Initial Group ★★★★★ ![Lars Esholdt, chief executive of Esholdt Executive Search](https://linusmurphy.com/images/portraits/lars-esholdt.jpg) > Linus is an extremely talented leader and coach, his passion, empathy and tour de force personality is mind blowing. He takes high performing individuals and unlocks their true potential. Work with him if you can, it’s worth every minute. Lars EsholdtCEO Esholdt Executive Search and Author ★★★★★ ## Coaching tracks [![Man in a navy shirt resting his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful](https://linusmurphy.com/images/tracks/executive-coaching.webp)](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-coaching/) ### [Executive Coaching](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-coaching/) Turn High-Pressure Leadership into High-Performance Results [Read more](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-coaching/) [![Three colleagues talking in outdoor chairs overlooking green hills at sunset](https://linusmurphy.com/images/tracks/executive-team-coaching.webp)](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-team-coaching/) ### [Executive Team Coaching](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-team-coaching/) Why coach the team—not just the individual? [Read more](https://linusmurphy.com/services/executive-team-coaching/) [![Leadership team seated around a conference table with a laptop and coffee cups](https://linusmurphy.com/images/tracks/business-coaching.webp)](https://linusmurphy.com/services/business-coaching/) ### [Business Coaching](https://linusmurphy.com/services/business-coaching/) Scale smarter, profit faster, lead with clarity. [Read more](https://linusmurphy.com/services/business-coaching/) [![Man in a grey jacket sitting in a meadow, smiling with his face towards the sun](https://linusmurphy.com/images/tracks/personal-development.webp)](https://linusmurphy.com/services/personal-development-coaching/) ### [Personal Development Coaching](https://linusmurphy.com/services/personal-development-coaching/) Elevate your mindset, energy and everyday impact. [Read more](https://linusmurphy.com/services/personal-development-coaching/)