Thriving in an era of volatility
I help leaders and organisations address the opportunities and risks created by an era of increasing volatility.
I provide advice, counsel and coaching to leaders, teams, organisations and their boards across all sectors and regions — with a particular focus on working with organisations in professional services, government and the social sector, and with leaders of risk and wider corporate functions across sectors.
My work draws on my 35-year career across the private, public and social sectors — at McKinsey & Company, where I worked for 22 years, including a decade as Global Director of Risk, in government, as an orchestral and operatic conductor, and as an advisor and executive coach. It is informed by my experience coaching and counselling senior leaders and advising on complex issues in all sectors and 120 countries.
Clients and their objectives
Leaders seeking to …
Increase their impact and fulfilment in new or existing roles and during career transitions
Navigate external, organisational and ‘inner’ complexity
Address complex issues and guide their people through change
Teams seeking to …
Create a sense of shared purpose which radiates across their organisations
Increase their effectiveness and cohesion
Strengthen their collective leadership
Organisations seeking to …
Take an integrated approach to impact, innovation and risk
Identify and address their most pressing, complex risks
Build the capabilities they need to thrive in a complex, volatile world
Projects
I work with clients in three ways:
Advice on how organisations take an integrated approach to impact, innovation and risk
Counsel on how leaders address complex issues and guide their people through change
Coaching leaders and teams on how they achieve their personal and professional potential, feel fulfilled in their careers, and navigate opportunities and challenges along the way
Many of my projects combine advice, counsel and coaching: advice provided by a trusted counsellor, coaching informed by cross-sector expertise. All of my work is anchored on my being there with and for my clients.
Example ways in which I work with clients include:
Strengthening organisations’ approach to risk
Identifying priority risks and actions to address them
Strengthening the capabilities of risk and wider corporate functions
Being there alongside leaders as they navigate complex issues and guide their people through change
Helping senior leaders and teams across roles increase their impact, fulfilment and growth
Supporting successful career transitions
People
My work draws on my 35-year career as an advisor, leader and executive coach in the private, public and social sectors:
In management consulting, 22 years at McKinsey & Company, including a decade as Global Director of Risk
In government, where I was chief of staff to a UK cabinet minister and advised on welfare and pensions reform
As an orchestral and operatic conductor, bringing together orchestras, singers, stage directors, managers and sponsors in concerts and opera performances
As an advisor and executive coach, helping leaders and organisations across sectors thrive in an era of volatility
Perspectives
My work is informed by research, publications and speaking engagements on topics including:
Leading in an era of volatility
The risk imperative facing leaders of professional-services firms and organisations across sectors
Lessons which leaders across sectors can learn from great conductors
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