Now, I use my unique perspective to help my clients fine-tune their skills, discover their leadership style, and make sure their own wellbeing is at the heart of their personal and professional choices as they navigate periods of change.
I joined the global accountancy firm BDO as a tax trainee in 1987, fresh from deferring my place at Manchester University. I was only supposed to be there for a year – but what followed was a 35-year career that allowed me to develop and grow in a way that I could not have imagined at the outset.
After having failed the partner process in 1999, I was offered a Partner position in 2000 at 31 years old – something of which I am very proud. Failing the partner process in 1999 gave me some valuable lessons and the opportunity to attend the transformational Henley Business School Senior Management Programme for a month.
From 2000 until 2006, I spent time building my personal brand and my network and then, in 2006, I took on leadership responsibility for developing and growing the private client business. By 2011, I was Head of Global Private Client Services, and responsible for driving the strategy and direction of the private client business globally.
After having failed the partner process in 1999, I was offered a Partner position in 2000 at 31 years old – something of which I am very proud.
From there, I became a member of the Tax Executive and the Partnership Council and ultimately, in 2016, I joined the leadership team with specific responsibility for partner engagement and development.
By the time I left my position to pursue my passion for coaching in 2022, I was at the height of my career. But reaching this point was far from easy.
Like many of you, I had to balance my career with bringing up a young family (and dealing with the various stresses that come with being part of the ‘sandwich’ generation).
I had to tackle my insecurities head-on and learn how to find (and share) my voice. I had to push myself beyond what was comfortable to manifest the change I wanted to see.
From these experiences, I understand the distinct difficulties that partners face; the pressures, the worries, the ever-present prospect of burnout. I know how easy it is to lose your way as a partner or other executive professional – but also how empowering it can be to challenge yourself and continuously develop and grow.
Wendy has been my coach throughout 2023, and was an informal mentor for many years prior. Wendy has phenomenal coaching and mentoring skills. She listens, adapts and respects. She asks searching questions to help me work through the answer, and I tend to only realise quite how clever the question is when we land on a really insightful answer, which has been hugely valuable.
As a qualified executive coach, my job is to partner with you in order to increase your self-awareness, providing you with space to think strategically about your career and your development, whilst practising change.
I offer both coaching and consultancy services and can tailor my services to suit the needs of the individual or the business that is seeking my support.
I have also developed a Partner Journey Programme, which is specifically designed to support aspiring partners, new partners, established partners, and partners who are preparing to transition from their role. I know first-hand just how influential the right mentoring and sponsorship can be at every stage of partnership – but I have also seen what can happen to partners who don’t have the right guidance.
So, it’s my mission to make sure everyone has a fair shot from the starting line. I aim to ensure that every partner or aspiring partner I work with has the means to develop their potential and become more successful in their roles.
I use everything I learned and encountered to add a deeper layer of insight to my work, blending theory with experience to help my clients find solutions. I call this “Coaching with ContentTM”
Not-for-profit
I aim to coach or mentor three individuals from the not-for-profit sector on a rolling basis. Please contact me directly for more information.
From creating tailored coaching programmes focused on professional development to guiding individuals and organisations on how to improve strategies, processes, and policies, I can bring value to you and your organisation in a variety of ways.
Over the course of six sessions, I will partner with you to work on your leadership journey.
Group sessions interspersed with one-on-one coaching ensure these programmes benefit both new and more experienced partners.
My strengths lie in partner engagement, partner development, and succession planning.
1987
Joined BDO
1990
Became a Chartered Tax Advisor (no longer practising)
1994
Became a Chartered Certified Accountant (remain a member but no longer practising)
1997
Won the Presidents Prize at the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (no longer practising)
1999
Completed the Senior Management Programme at Henley Business School
2000
Became a Salaried Partner
2002
Became Equity partner
2008
Completed the Leading Professional Services Firms Programme at Harvard Business School
2015
Completed the BDO Excellence in Partnership Programme with the Oxford Saïd Business School
2019
Became a Mental Health First Aider
2019
Achieved my Professional Certificate in Coaching with Henley Business School
2022
Completed the Mastered Programme with Meyler Campbell, with distinction
2022
Recognised as an Accredited Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (Individual Practitioner)
2022
Became a Certified Hogan Practitioner
2023
Become a Certified DISC Practitioner
2024
Accredited as a Senior Practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council
2024
Started MSc in Coaching For Behavioural Change with Henley Business School
During my time at BDO, I interviewed hundreds of potential partners. We always gave them the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview and one of the most often asked questions was “what advice would you give to a new partner?”.
Balance and coaching - a shifting mindset. In this article I explore how my attitude to both finding balance and coaching has shifted since I “lost my bubbles” in 2003. Moreover, I consider how a business coach can work with a client to find work life balance.
This article was published on the BDO intranet after I lost my dad to Covid-19 and talks about some of the things I learnt during that experience, as well as the support I received.
Executive & Leadership Coach
for Professional Services Firms
