Scaling Sustainable Solutions: How Coaching Helped Warton Natural Infrastructure Lead the Way in Ecological Consulting

When Peter Warton, Managing Director of Warton Natural Infrastructure Ltd, first entered the world of business, his goals were straightforward: deliver high-quality environmental services, follow his passion for nature, and provide a stable living for his family. He could not have imagined the twists and turns that lay ahead. Over time, he faced steep economic downturns, team disruptions, and personal health challenges, yet emerged stronger by harnessing three core principles: resilience, never giving up, and living with forward-focused vision. Today, Warton Natural Infrastructure is recognized for its innovative approaches to ecological consulting, tree management, and biodiversity design, blending practical solutions with a deeply-held ethos of nurturing the environment for future generations. 

Just as crucially, Peter attributes much of his success to the guidance he’s received from business coaching—specifically his relationship with his ActionCOACH partner, Anu Khanna, who helped him craft growth plans, refine day-to-day operations, and reaffirm a clear vision for the company. Warton Natural Infrastructure now stands as a testament to how a personal passion for nature, combined with robust business systems and strong mentorship, can spark meaningful change in the way we develop and protect the spaces where people live and work. 

From the Ground Up: Challenges That Shaped a Visionary Leader

Peter’s lifelong affinity for the outdoors started with a childhood filled with climbing trees and exploring nature. That passion led him to pursue a degree in arboriculture before working as a tree climber himself. Over time, he realized that to effect lasting change, he needed to shift gears from solely hands-on fieldwork to design, planning, and consulting. Embracing this bigger vision, Peter officially founded Warton Natural Infrastructure in 2008, just before the global recession hit the UK. 

Although Peter’s deep love for nature fueled his desire to promote biodiversity and ecological health, he soon discovered that passion alone wouldn’t shield him from economic pressures. The recession tested his resolve, forcing him to think creatively about scaling down and up as market conditions shifted. He also wrestled with the responsibilities of growing a team. Initially, he never intended to manage employees; his first plan had been simply to support his family through individual consulting work. But as the company name gained traction, more and more projects came in, demanding additional expertise. 

One of the early struggles was finding the right people who shared Peter’s vision of integrating ecological solutions with practical business value. Another test involved bridging the gap between his skill as a “technician” in arboriculture, where he was extremely comfortable, and the strategic tasks of running a fully-fledged business.  

Breaking Through Barriers: The Power of Coaching in Business Growth

After weathering the turbulence of the recession, Warton Natural Infrastructure stabilized for a time, but new obstacles emerged. The COVID-19 pandemic brought daily changes to work policies, staffing, and on-site logistics. Even as the world shifted around him, Peter found himself needing a trusted sounding board beyond his internal team. He recalls being at a personal low point, grappling with how to guide the company and navigate staffing changes in the face of remote work and unpredictable regulations. 

Around two years ago, he met Anu Khanna, a business coach with ActionCOACH. Peter found her to be empathetic yet grounded in results, with a knack for asking the right questions to clarify his strategic roadmap. Beyond emotional support, Peter wanted real accountability in tracking metrics like conversion rates, net profit, and operational efficiency. He credits Anu with helping him “visualize where the company could go,” a growth mindset that had been lacking when he was bogged down by day-to-day firefighting. 

“I needed someone outside my team to bounce ideas off,” Peter explains. “Anu’s experience with ActionCOACH and her people-focused style gave me the structure I was looking for. She didn’t just fix small issues, she laid out a vision and plan for significant growth.” 

Strategic Growth in Action: Lessons from the ActionCOACH Playbook

Under Anu’s guidance, Peter began employing the classic ActionCOACH tools and frameworks: 

• 90-Day Growth Plans: Rather than getting overwhelmed by lofty, long-term projections, Peter broke his objectives into actionable steps over short sprints. This approach provided a steady flow of “quick wins,” boosting team morale and giving everyone a sense of collective momentum. 

• Regular Accountability Sessions: Each week, Peter would reconvene with Anu to dissect both wins and setbacks. She championed a “test and measure” approach, encouraging him to try new marketing strategies, track the outcomes, and discard what didn’t work. 

• Team Alignment: With her background in people management, Anu helped Peter implement new communication protocols, clarifying job roles and performance metrics. The entire staff, from ecologists to administrative personnel, learned to tie their daily tasks back to the company’s overarching mission of “improving nature where we live, work, and play.” 

• Reflecting on Successes: Perhaps one of the biggest paradigm shifts for Peter was giving himself permission to pause and celebrate how far he’d come. Rather than brushing past achievements in a hurry to tackle the next issue, Anu encouraged him to regularly note his progress. Peter believes this emphasis on reflection improved not only his confidence but also the team’s sense of unity. 
  

Measurable Impact: How Coaching Transformed Business & Team Performance

Through these structured methods, Warton Natural Infrastructure transformed both internally and externally. A few of the most notable shifts include: 

• Strengthened Team Culture: By focusing on recruiting individuals who shared Peter’s ethos—valuing nature, fostering community engagement, and embracing innovation—the company built an environment where staff felt deeply invested in each project’s success. Turnover decreased, and morale rose. 

• Innovative Solutions & Tools: Inspired by conversations with Anu around “thinking big,” Peter accelerated the firm’s adoption of advanced technology, such as Tree Plotter software. This move provided housing associations and other clients with real-time, interactive data on tree inventories, canopy cover, and biodiversity metrics. Similarly, the firm’s investment in infrared cameras for bat detection highlighted how scientific rigor could marry seamlessly with cost-effective services for clients. 

• Consistency & Profitability: Through weekly metrics tracking, Peter gained insights on how to manage leads, allocate resources, and structure project bids. He credits Anu’s practical approach for helping him measure profitability across different service lines, from arboriculture surveys to biodiversity net gain consulting, allowing him to direct the firm’s energies more productively. 

“If I never had a business coach,” Peter reflects, “we wouldn’t have accelerated so quickly. The clarity on our vision and the real-time decisions about the team or where to invest would have been hit or miss. With Anu, we could test ideas, measure the impact, and move on—no time wasted.” 

Success Stories: Client Perspectives on Warton’s Lasting Impact

Over the years, Warton Natural Infrastructure has contributed to a variety of community and commercial projects—planting edible gardens for hospitals, creating “nature corridors” in new housing developments, and introducing software that redefines how environmental data is accessed. Peter and his team have consistently earned praise from clients who appreciate the firm’s ability to combine ecological conscience with professional rigor. 

Behind these successes lie lessons gleaned from Peter’s coaching journey: 

Peter on Resilience: “I developed thick skin from a young age due to dyslexia and, later, adult ADHD. But business is a different kind of resilience—it’s accepting mistakes, realigning fast, and not letting short-term hurdles derail the bigger plan. Anu reminded me that setbacks are part of the journey.” 

Peter on Never Giving Up: “COVID-19 changed the game every day—who was in the office, who wasn’t, which sites we could visit. Anu’s perspective helped us see opportunities in chaos. We actually came out stronger, with new remote tools and a more flexible culture.” 

Peter on Forward Focus: “I like to live in the present, but Anu showed me the importance of having a clear future roadmap. We can measure what’s happening now and plan for tomorrow without obsessing over the past. That shift keeps us nimble and motivated.” 

Growing for the Future: Expanding, Innovating & Leading Change

Warton Natural Infrastructure stands poised for further expansion in the next five to ten years. New UK legislation mandates at least a 10% biodiversity net gain for housing developments, placing the company at the forefront of environmentally responsible planning. Peter anticipates a growing need for ecological consulting as more clients realize that investing in nature—improved green spaces, tree canopies, and wildlife habitats—directly benefits health and property values. 

Internally, ActionCOACH remains a trusted partner. Peter and his team envision opening additional offices in response to shifting demographic trends, with more families leaving major cities for countryside living. He hopes to maintain the same authenticity that has always defined him—shorts and flip-flops on a typical day—while scaling up services. Thanks to the guidance received from Anu, he sees a future where Warton Natural Infrastructure’s solutions expand beyond the UK, helping shape global standards for ecological stewardship. 

“We’re working with metrics now,” he emphasizes. “Nature is no longer just an aesthetic choice; we can quantify the real impact—like carbon sequestration, mental health benefits, or property values. That’s going to change how society invests in the outdoors.” 

The Next Chapter: Building a Business That Leaves a Legacy

Peter Warton’s journey is a testament to how resilience, strategic vision, and the right support can transform challenges into catalysts for growth. His success proves that technical expertise alone isn’t enough—scaling a business requires continual learning, personal development, and strong mentorship. Since partnering with ActionCOACH, he has streamlined operations, gained clarity on his business direction, and strengthened his leadership, empowering his team for long-term success. Fueled by a passion for the environment and strengthened by the power of coaching, Peter and Warton Natural Infrastructure stand as proof that every challenge holds the potential for meaningful, lasting change. 

Now, it’s your turn. Whether you're facing team struggles, financial roadblocks, or a lack of direction, the right coach can help you break through barriers and accelerate growth. With expert guidance, proven frameworks, and structured accountability, ActionCOACH equips you with the clarity and confidence to build a thriving business. If you find yourself on the edge of a similar leap, reach out to request a discovery call today and begin your journey of newfound entrepreneurial success.