I am a BPS Chartered Psychologist, an HCPC Accredited Practitioner Psychologist, and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. I have been a leadership assessment and development consultant since 2010, and I work with leaders – well-established and emerging – to enhance their performance, their positive impact on those around them, and their personal resilience, wellbeing, and happiness. Drawing upon my background in both business and clinical practice, I am an integrative practitioner. Fundamentally client centred, I tailor my approach and any ‘tools’ I use to serve the specific needs of an individual. My portfolio of client organisations includes private, public, and regulatory firms. engaged in a wide variety of activities.
A non-negotiable for me is my belief that the relationship between coach and client is the single most important determinant of successful results. It makes little difference what coaching modality I use or how smart an intervention might be if we don’t establish a strong human connection first – simply as people – based upon mutual trust and respect. My natural style is informal, relaxed, and warm – I never underestimate the importance and value of moments of humour and light-heartedness – and I am typically described as highly empathetic, non-judgemental, and caring but candid. Having created a psychologically safe climate with clear boundaries, my primary goal is to focus upon helping people to recognise and find ways to fully leverage their authentic leadership strengths, while also seeking to uncover and explore any performance inhibitors or difficulties, providing constructive challenge and meaningful insights to facilitate growth.
In terms of my academic credentials, I hold a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, an MSc in Psychology, a PGDip in Human Resource Management, and a BA (Hons) in Business Studies. I have conducted primary research into the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, personality traits, and associated links to the superior workplace performance of ‘mindful leaders’. My Doctoral research, setting out the potential risks – and ways to ensure safer utilisation – of mindfulness meditation as a therapeutic intervention, were presented at conferences and published in a leading psychology journal.
Prior to becoming a consultant, I spent 20 years working in-house in predominantly large, blue-chip corporates. I joined Barclays on their Graduate Leadership Programme. I ultimately chose to specialise in HR because it became unquestionable to me – while leading the implementation of technology-enabled, organisation-wide change projects – that people were always the most critical and complex factor in enabling success. I went on to hold senior HR leadership roles in organisations including Oracle, Virgin, Orange, and Microsoft – where I was the UK organisation’s first ever Diversity and Inclusion Lead and championed, among other things, Women in Technology leadership initiatives. While undertaking my Doctorate, I provided counselling support to clients and patients with a wide range of presenting issues in a variety of clinical settings, including an NHS Trust, a Priory Hospital, and in several third sector organisations. I maintain a small private practice of clinical clients alongside my work with business leaders.
Outside of work, I am a husband, a father of two, a football fan, and a wannabe chef. Aside from family, music is my greatest passion and standing in a festival field alongside old friends – especially on those rare occasions when the sun is shining – is my happy place.