I’ve had the pleasure of working with senior leaders and their teams for over 25 years, supporting with Executive Talent & Succession Planning Strategy, Leadership Development and Culture Evolution.
As a Chartered Occupational Psychologist (BPS, HCPC) I specialise in in-depth leadership assessment, executive coaching, and designing and development leadership development strategy on a global scale. I’ve partnered with individuals, teams, and senior leadership groups, often at the Top of House for some of the world’s most recognized brands.
My work spans a broad range of sectors, including construction, consumer goods, engineering, financial services, industrials, the public sector, retail, and utilities. I bring deep expertise from both sides of the consultancy-client relationship, having held senior roles in some of the world’s largest leadership consultancies as well as in-house leadership assessment and development positions for leading organizations.
- How are you helping people to achieve their full potential?
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I always start by asking, potential for what? My extensive experience working with senior leaders across industries over many years, has helped to understand the building blocks of leadership potential, but potential is highly context dependent.
So, to help leaders, teams and organisations fulfil their potential, often takes a deeper exploration of the vision, purpose, strategy and desired outcomes, and combining this with an understanding the core values and drivers, strengths and blockers for each leader and their teams.
Working with leaders and teams, to help build their self and other awareness, whilst developing strategies and building their skills for influence, leadership and engagement, are key to help fulfil potential. Also, exploring the mindsets and behaviours that are keeping people stuck and creating barriers, is also powerful.
- What are your thoughts on the future of your sector?
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I’m excited for the future of Leadership Development. The world of work and demands on leaders are more complex than ever before. With social and economic instability as well as ongoing impact of pandemic and DEI expectations, leaders, world-over are facing challenges, to evolve, innovate, perform and retain, engage and develop their teams. Plus the increasing role of AI in the business world, means we need to help leaders adapt and evolve, to embrace the benefits of technology, whilst recognising its’ limitations too.
- What do you enjoy outside of work?
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Many things. I’m a mum of two lively girls, who are entering their teens. We like to get outdoors, country walks, hikes, coastal walks, cycling etc as well as cooking together, movies, shopping, boba, skincare and all the things young ladies enjoy these days. When I’m not with the kids, I enjoy running, swimming, reading, going to see live music and I’m a huge yoga and meditation enthusiast.
- What’s your top three podcasts/books?
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James Clear’s Atomic Habits podcast series gets played a lot! I’m really enjoying the Masterclass series with a range of leaders and leadership experts too. I love reading and have a constant stream of books I dip into, so am always keen to hears other’s recommendations too. Some of my old favourites for leadership and coaching books are Co-Active Coaching by Henry and Karen Kimsey-House, Stephen Drotter’s Performance Pipeline and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni.
- What’s your go-to productivity trick?
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Lots of lists and as someone who is always keen to help, I have learned to try and think twice before saying yes.
If I’m report writing or working on design, classical music helps me focus. Daily morning yoga and meditation, helps set my intentions for the day. Also, if I’m not feeling productive, then usually it’s a sign I need to take a break, so a 15–20-minute walk, or 5-10 minute yoga sequence, can do wonders for the brain when needed too.
- How do you prefer to start your day?
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Yoga, meditation, journalling and a nice cuppa
- What was your first job?
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My parents ran their own businesses, so we would always help as kids. The first business was a clothing manufacturing company that made designer clothes at one point. So as a young child, I would help ticket and bag the clothes. My first proper paid job was working in the Post Office as a counter clerk.
- What’s the best advice you were ever given?
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I think when I first became a parent, and there was advice coming at me from every angle, one of my friends said to me, ‘You will be given tons of well-meaning advice, and you will know what to do, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to ask for help.’ This has served me through the many challenges and joys of parenthood as well as in work and other areas of life too. So sometimes, when there are many choices to make, and the path is not clear, going quiet and meditating can help me to listen to my instincts. Other times, asking others for ideas and help can provide the clarity needed.