“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”
My Story
I am a coach and mentor to executives and teams looking to thrive in high-performance environments. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in those environments and seen strategies and behaviours that enable people to operate under intense pressure, to perform well and to be well.
After graduating from Oxford University with a Biology degree, I studied law then worked as a solicitor at a leading London law firm for ten years, focusing on corporate and litigation work for a broad set of international clients and jointly leading an industry practice area group.
I then spent 13 years at Modern Times Group, a multinational listed media group where I worked as General Counsel and Company Secretary.
In those roles, I found myself involved in almost every significant issue that affected the business; investor relations, M&A activity, large commercial deals with suppliers and customers, communication with governments and regulators, and internal operations. I worked with the Board and Executive Leadership team on both strategic and operational issues and I led and managed a team who worked in different countries. I’m familiar with the demands on business leaders and have direct experience of the complex challenges they may be facing.
Whilst pursuing my career in law and business, I balanced my professional ambitions with another passion, rowing, and was part of the British national rowing team for ten years. During my time on the team, I had the unforgettable experience of winning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Outside my executive coaching work, I’m active in the rowing community through my roles as a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and a Trustee of the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation. I still row regularly, and enjoy spending time with my two sons, as I have done for many years.
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”
Why I coach
During my time as a business leader, a large part of the enjoyment I found in the role came from helping people to grow, to deliver results and to enjoy their work. After leaving Modern Times Group, I decided to turn my natural interest in people development into a potential career transition and signed up to a coaching course. I continue to get enormous satisfaction and pleasure from helping individuals grow and achieve what matters most to them, whatever that might be.
Working with Me
The relationship between coach and client is an important element in the effectiveness of coaching so I focus on creating a space where you feel comfortable and we can both be open and honest; and where challenge and support can be given.
Sessions with me are non-directive and predominantly led by you, the client, focusing on achieving success as you define it. I adapt my coaching approach and draw from various disciplines to suit your situation.
Situational coaching
My start point is to give you space to think, but where appropriate and agreed with you, I draw from my own experiences in coaching others and, from my business and life experience, to provide information that may be relevant and ideas that may be useful to help you get to where you want to be.
Coaching framework
I am interested in working with you to achieve your own idea of success, whatever that looks like. We will create a clear picture of this, look at your world, work out a roadmap, consider how you will stay on track and find ways to pause and review it all.
Building awareness
Helping clients to increase their awareness of their world is an important part of the process and we’ll think about who you are and what’s important to you, the people around you and the relationships that might affect your success as well as the environment in which you operate.
My specialist areas
Resilience
Working with you to improve your ability to manage pressure and respond to stress for better performance and wellbeing.
Collaboration
Exploring ways to strengthen collaboration and teamwork within the teams that you lead and groups that you are part of.
Career transitions
Working together to navigate transitional moments in the workplace and home.
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The Coaching Relationship
I’ve recently co-authored a chapter in ‘The Trainee Coach Handbook’, a practical guide to how to develop as a coach.
The chapter, written in collaboration with Sabine Schnell and Richard Stoneman, explores the importance of the relationship between coach and client in determining a positive outcome from coaching but the messages about the importance of good working relationships are equally relevant to achieving success in many areas of life.