About

Hi, I’m Derek Appau, (ICF PCC), executive coach, career coach and founder of Limitless Personal Excellence (LPE).

Derek Appau - (ICF, PCC), executive coach, career coach and founder of Limitless Personal Excellence

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I help support leaders and organisations ready to build more human, equitable, innovative cultures and high-potential leaders from underrepresented backgrounds to excel without burning out.

When I was 13, I found a dusty box of cassette tapes on my dad’s shelf. It had audiobooks of Paul McKenna, Brian Tracy, and others talking about mindset, vision, influence.

He never listened to them. I did. Every night. I didn’t know it then, but that was the start of this path.
Every night I’d fall asleep to those tapes, timer set on my stereo, and wake up ready to try the tools.
Visualisation, goal setting, peak performer psychology, the unconscious mind, it all clicked.

I wasn’t just dreaming, I was building.

Soon after I swapped my less desirable coffee shop job for working in a jewellery shop selling diamonds and Cartier watches. I went from skinny to martial artist with muscle and six-pack, achieved independence through passing my driving test, went on bucket list holidays I organised with friends, and had many side hustles (One as a TV/film extra!).
I learned early: goal setting and mindset shifts change outcomes dramatically.

I was fascinated with getting answers to this question:
“Why do some people become exceptional humans while others, despite many advantages, stay stuck and unhappy?”

That question stuck with me.

I learnt the keys to influence, inform and persuade at scale using new media.  I saw how perception shaped reality.  

But I also experienced what it was like to be overlooked, excluded, and burnt out.

I covered parts of who I was just to get by. And when that no longer worked, I chose something different.
I was often the only person of colour in the room, overlooked for promotions, excluded from social circles, told I was “too ambitious” or “not the right fit.”
I experienced broken systems, toxic leadership, cronyism, and chronic stress that made me question my worth.

I covered parts of who I was just to survive.
Eventually, I returned to myself and made a conscious decision: create change in workplace cultures and help others excel, on their own terms.
I don’t want my children, my nieces, nephews or anyone’s children to inherit those same toxic workplace norms.

I retrained and pivoted my career to help people and organisations raise their awareness and performance, not just their profile.  

That’s why LPE is here, to help co-create organisations where people can be themselves, solve hard problems together, and thrive while doing it.

I’m not just trained, accredited and credentialed, I’m tried and tested. 

Like Bruce Lee, who studied the greats and created his own martial art, I’ve immersed myself in the professional coaching foundations. 

My practice is grounded in over a decade of results, insights leveraging models like CLEAR, SCARF, DOTS, relationship systems coaching (ORSC), somatic coaching, vertical development, behavioural science, and more.

But I also know where the existing models fall short for my clients. 

That’s why I’ve developed original frameworks like ROOTS for underrepresented professionals and the 5 Evolutions of the Limitless Leader for those leading purpose-driven, high-growth organisations.

 

My approach draws on tech startup principles, positive psychology, mental fitness, martial arts, Akan wisdom, Ubuntu, and an intersectional lens. 

It’s rigorous, compassionate, and deeply human. It evolves with every client, every insight, every lived experience.

I’ve coached leaders at Apple, Google, Shopify, WPP, IPG media agencies, HMRC, and the NHS, and worked with courageous startups and senior teams ready to reimagine performance and power. 

If you’re ready to go deeper, to grow your influence, lead with purpose, and shift culture from the inside out I’d love to help.

Outside of work, I’m also a proud husband, father, and someone who’s fascinated by health, fitness, and wellness practices. 

I find grounding in nature, music (expect to hear everything from Cleo Sol and Bashy to Beethoven) and quiet moments of reflection often with a journal and a matcha latte

Why Work With Derek Appau & Limitless Personal Excellence?

Professionally trained and credentialed

Professionally trained and credentialed by the International Coach Federation (ICF) – PCC (Professional Certified Coach), the gold standard in global coaching excellence.

10+ years’ experience

coaching senior leaders, high-potential talent, and teams across various sectors in FTSE 100s, Fortune 500s, scale-ups, and purpose-driven startups.

Lived experience navigating and excelling in the media, advertising, and tech sectors

offering deep insight into the invisible barriers underrepresented talent face.

Track record of transforming performance and culture,

including increased promotions, pay, job satisfaction, leadership confidence, retention, profit and employee engagement.

Challenging yet compassionate style,

combining psychological depth, cultural fluency, and commercial awareness.

Delivers tough truths with care

Skilfully addressing unspoken dynamics to create safer, higher-performing teams.

Connected to a global network

of executive coaches, wellness experts, psychologists, DEI consultants, academics, and learning specialists. Part of active communities of practice exploring team performance, culture, and coaching excellence.

Blends powerful frameworks with grounded humanity

so clients grow professionally and personally, without burning out or losing themselves.