The leader: I’m a Senior Leader in the fashion retail industry. At the start of the coaching programme I was transitioning into a broader leadership role with increased responsibility and visibility across the business.

The coaching goals: I was looking for a coach to help me navigate that transition, build confidence in my leadership style and challenge some of the self-imposed limits I was placing on my own career progression.

The process: We met monthly over a one-year period, off site at a private office, for 90-minute sessions. Ellie helped me step back from day-to-day pressures, see situations more objectively and approach opportunities with greater confidence. A big part of what made the coaching so effective was the accountability. It wasn’t just about discussing ideas or leaving a session feeling inspired. Ellie encouraged me to put things into practice, whether that was having difficult conversations, stepping outside my comfort zone or approaching situations differently. Looking back, that repeated practice is what made the biggest difference. Confidence isn’t something you suddenly have, it’s something you build. Like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes, and the coaching helped me develop my confidence over time.

The outcomes: One of the biggest outcomes was a real shift in mindset. Ellie helped me recognise that many of the barriers I perceived weren’t actually there, and that I was capable of operating at a much broader level than I had previously allowed myself to believe. That change in thinking played a big part in helping me step into my new role and continues to influence how I lead today. I have been promoted to the Executive Leadership Team and regularly work with the Board and Investors. I benefited from having a trusted sounding board who could challenge my thinking whilst creating a space where I could be completely honest.

The CEO feedback:  You’ve stepped up and made it look seamless. Nobody doubts you are the leader of the function. You have a strategy, a clear and compelling voice and are accountable. You’ve done the business bit well and have shown breadth, not limited yourself to your area. You’ve shown great leadership skills. Keep pushing, keep speaking up – take huge confidence, you have really great judgement.

The programme: One year Executive Coaching Programme