I focus primarily on one-to-one coaching engagements, and my core activity is with senior executive leaders in SMEs and in the divisional operations of larger corporates. I also work with key personnel in voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, as well as with identified high-potential younger executives who can benefit from a tailored approach.
Many of the people I coach have faced unexpected or unknown challenges when they’ve taken on a new role or have been given significantly increased responsibilities. Frequently, they’re making the leap from the comfort zone of their technical expertise into the demands and challenges of leading the team. Sometimes they come simply seeking their own authentic leadership style; sometimes they’re grappling with organisational politics; often they’re struggling to handle a difficult boss or uncooperative colleague.
Results achieved
Success always has to be in the client’s terms; so here are some of the things they’ve said about our work together:
- I’ve struggled for years with this self-limiting belief. You’ve helped me to see it in context, to deal with it and now I can get on with building my company.
- My self-confidence was seriously undermined in my new role by the politicking of one of my Board colleagues. Thank you for enabling me to understand the games that were going on and to work out my own way to deal with them effectively.
- The work you did with JB has had a very positive impact on the team around him. He’s now building the kind of cooperative relationships that will benefit both him and our business for the long-term.
- You gave me the safe space and the time I needed to think through how I will run this business going forward. The incoming Chairman has responded well. Your constructive challenges and your understanding of the issues I face gave me the confidence to think more broadly.
Professional History
The first part of my career was spent in corporate HR roles. I worked for a couple of large international businesses then for a privately-owned family enterprise, before spending 10 years with a major UK-listed food company – where I was responsible for the Group’s graduate and leadership development programmes.
I then spent a significant period in the Executive Search industry, where I gained a privileged, high-level insight into the workings of many different sectors, organisations and functions. This experience gave me an understanding of the varied and complex factors that impact the success or failure of high calibre executives.
Now that I’m devoted full-time to leadership coaching, I find that I am able to draw on all that I’ve learned in my previous careers, and to use that experience to understand and to support clients in finding their way to do what’s important to them and to their businesses.
Credentials
Degree level Diploma in Business Studies
Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development
Accredited Psychometrics User – British Psychological Society
Credentialed Coach – Cornerstone International Group
Member, International Coaching Federation
Member, Association for Coaching
Coaching Approach
Each coaching engagement is unique; reflecting the needs, personal characteristics and circumstances of the individual I’m working with. Improving self-awareness and deepening understanding of relationships is at the heart of how I work – but always in the context of the priorities, culture and requirements of the sponsoring organisation. What I do is tailored to each client.
My particular background helps significantly in quickly understanding organisational dynamics and priorities, and corporate clients appreciate that I’m focused on delivering outcomes that are tangible and relevant. What often matters most to the individual client is that I can offer them a confidential and secure space without judgement or vested interest, and where we are focused on things that are important to them.