Before I became a coach…

I left my home town of Leeds at 18 and headed further north to study at Newcastle Business School. Inspired by the travel experiences of some of my new friends, during my studies I travelled across America, throughout Southern Africa and around South East Asia.

The next chapter was the Royal Air Force. A six year Officer commission stretched out to sixteen years. During that time I completed 9 different tours of duty, stationed around the UK and with tours in  Bosnia and Afghanistan. I worked with some incredible people and was presented with many exciting and challenging opportunities.

It was during a later tour at the Ministry of Defence in London that I decided that it was time for a change. I'd spent my time living in London exploring the city by bicycle. I enrolled in a night class called 'the impact of cycling in communities' and became interested in how people move around towns and cities. 

I got married in 2012 and then left the RAF at the end of 2013. Without a job, l launched myself into the world of start-ups. I spent the next 18 months building my own cycling start-up. After much sweat and some classic mistakes, I eventually realised I was actually trying to build a tech business. I didn’t have the skills or the money for that and so I wrapped the business up.

But I had now found clarity on my purpose; helping to build healthier and sustainable communities. There was an opening in a job at the London Borough of Enfield supporting the delivery of their cycling action plan. One thing led to the next and a few years later I was the Programme Director leading and building a new team and implementing some ambitious walking & cycling projects.

I still work at the London Borough of Enfield, now leading strategic transport planning, sustainable travel and place shaping project delivery. Together the team is connecting communities to create a more vibrant, greener and healthier Enfield. 

My Coaching Mission

By 2045 I will have coached 1000 people working in local government. 

I have experienced the benefits and value of having a coach. I have also experienced the challenges of working in local government delivering change projects. I decided it was time to develop some new skills as part of my own professional and personal growth.

In January 2024 I started the formal learning of a Level 7 Institute of Leadership & Management Executive Coaching programme. My classroom learning is complete and I am now working towards full accreditation with the International Coaching Federation.

Whilst I am continuing my own work in local government, I am now also looking forward to the third phase of my working life. There is so much opportunity in local government to positively impact the climate crisis. But the work is hard, unrelenting. To maximise our impact we need to build resilience and create our own sustainable way of operating. 

I know that coaching can support you to grow and increase your impact. So I invite you to check out more details on my coaching programme.