COACHING AND MENTORING

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I have benefitted from coaching and mentoring throughout my career, and know how transformative it can be when you find the right person to work with. It is a privilege to build a relationship with an individual and help them to thrive. 

I enjoy supporting my clients to explore, understand and overcome the obstacles they face in their careers, thereby unlocking their innate potential, or enabling them to step up to the next level.

I have led teams – in my own consultancy and in big, international non-governmental organisations - and bring this management experience to bear in my conversations. I have also supported recruitment for a number of high profile non-profit organisations and have experience of working with Boards to support organisational strategy and executive leadership. 

I can help with structuring and running teams, step into interim positions, and mentor new or existing staff.  If you are exploring succession planning, a strategy revamp, or a change of ownership, I can talk to you about how we navigated that successfully at di:ga and explain the key steps to executing a critical transition smoothly. 

STRATEGY AND FACILITATION

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Having difficult conversations is an art. Too many organisations avoid or fudge it – and this has costs. In order to make change happen, and bring people with you, you need the courage to examine your own beliefs and motivations and be prepared to switch course. 

I support organisations and leaders to review and develop strategy, build coherence, and tackle challenges. I bring you back to the basics: what is the problem you want to solve, who has the power to drive change, what do you know about them and their situation, and how are you going to reach and persuade them?

With a deep knowledge of the non-profit sector and the defining social, environmental and political issues of our time, I can be your thought partner and engaged facilitator, testing your assumptions and co-creating a new, fit-for-purpose plan. 

Together, we will think more clearly, navigate difficulty, and harness ideas and creativity to chart a path forward to achieve your goals. 

Writing and editing 

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I believe fervently in the importance of good, clear writing to explain facts, convey values, and drive change. Knowing what you want to say, why, when and to whom is a critical starting point for effective communications. 

With a first in English Literature from Oxford University and experience working as a journalist at The Times and Mail on Sunday, I know what makes good writing and can switch registers with ease. 

I have ghost-written opinion pieces for politicians, celebrities and civil society leaders, and have drafted and edited reports for leading organisations such as Oxfam and Chatham House. My work has been published in major newspapers and websites and has influenced policy. 

I like nothing more than getting my hands on a report or other piece of content and honing it so that the meaning becomes clearer and more compelling, and the potential of the message is realised. I will help you produce writing that stands out from the formulaic dross being churned out by AI, and genuinely connects with your target audience. 

I can also then work with you on a plan to disseminate and promote your material.

Media training and crisis communications 

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I started my career as a journalist with The Times and Mail on Sunday, and have acted as an organisational spokesperson on TV and radio. I am familiar with how the media is changing, and the tactics and skills needed to get your message heard. 

I have dealt with my share of crises and scandals, keeping a calm head in the face of drama, and ensuring organisations respond transparently and accountably, while protecting reputations and the ability to continue to deliver. I know that preparation and prevention are as important as knowing what to say if the crisis actually hits.

I work with organisational spokespeople and press teams to ensure they can use the media and social media to their own advantage. I help them identify their priority audiences and hone their tactics and content accordingly to drive impact and minimise risk. 

I offer broadcast media training, media messaging and strategy advice, and crisis communications planning and implementation. I can work with you to craft key messages and reactive lines that will keep your head above the choppy waters of mis- and disinformation, polemic and polarisation.