I know what it’s like to be at the top of many organisations, though I didn’t have a coach until very late in my career. I often wonder what I might have achieved if I’d had a coach alongside me, supporting me as I navigated the tricky and lonely terrain inherent in being a strategic leader. I draw on years of experience in highly accountable leadership positions and I know first hand what it’s like to have huge targets to deliver within tight time scales.

Whatever sector you work in, in my experience, the leadership challenges are similar. I have found not being an “expert” is a real advantage as a coach. It enables me to be curious, ask questions and let you do the thinking and find your own solutions.

People come to me with a range of issues and challenges. To give you some examples:

    • How do I manage upwards?
    • How do I have influence across complex systems?
    • How do I achieve change without hierarchical power?
    • How do I delegate more effectively?
    • How can I be more confident?
    • How do I manage stress better?
    • How do I balance work and home?
    • What are my future options?
    • How do I prepare for interviews and presentations?
    • How do I make the transition to a new role?
    • How do I lead functions I know little about?

How does coaching work?

I tailor my coaching programmes to meet your needs as well as where you live or work. I have coached a number of people living overseas and find Skype works incredibly well.

I like to begin with a face to face conversation for about 2-3 hours where you can explore what you’d like to achieve through coaching. Then if you live outside London, as most of my clients do, I usually suggest a programme over six months, with 4 one hour sessions either by Skype or FaceTime, followed by a final face to face session. But a lot of my clients have been with me for many years and meet with me on a 2-3 monthly basis to think and reflect with a person they trust, and who doesn’t judge them, but who will challenge their thinking.

I meet with people at the Institute of Directors at Pall Mall which is easy to get to and then I’m happy for us to meet in my home in north London, again easily accessible by public transport (20 minutes from central London) or by car (free parking outside). Having quiet space looking out at a beautiful garden is really conducive to reflection.

About me

I have had a long and successful career in Board roles, both executive and non executive, in central and local government, in the NHS and charities. I have managed multi million pound budgets and complex portfolios. I have been the chair of 4 national organisations: the National Skills Academy, The College of Social Work, 4Children and Independent Age. Currently I am a Specially Appointed Commissioner at the Royal Chelsea Hospital (home of the Chelsea pensioners).

Qualifications, Coach Certifications and Assessments include:

B.A (Hons) Politics, (University of Swansea); Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) and Diploma in Applied Social Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London; Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Institute of Education. Leadership programmes at the Civil Service College, Cabinet Office and Leadership Centre.

I was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Bedfordshire and I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

I completed the Corporate Coach International with the Ros Taylor Company to qualify as an executive coach and I am a Time to Think coach with the Thinking Environment (Nancy Kline). I am certified in Individual Directions Inventory, (IDI) with the Management Research Group, PPA with Thomas International and Prophet, a team profiling tool.