About Us

Joining Shropshire Climate Action (SCA Ltd) in August 2020, as Programme Manager for writing the Zero Carbon Shropshire Plan, was like an apprenticeship on steroids.

Combining my past experience of leadership development and change consulting, we decided to pivot our business to focus on helping SMEs, like us, get engaged with sustainability and the path to net zero carbon.

August to December 2020 was a whirl-wind of participating in the SCA Task Force and Steering Groups. I learned the language spoken by the guys in the Carbon Reporting Working Group (WG). Founding the Communications & Engagement WG was fun. Coordinating the Land and Biodiversity WG report was stressful and inspiring, as was helping to get the plan published for 31 December 2020.

All told it was a fast-track education in sustainability and zero carbon, generously provided by some of the county’s finest consultants and practitioners who showed infinite patience with my learning curve.

Not to mention connecting with a fabulous local network that would normally take a lifetime.

In April 2021 I founded the Enterprise Engagement Working Group and led a research project with the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) to understand the barriers SMEs face when engaging with net zero.

After graduating from Keele Univeristy with a degree in psychology I joined newly privatised BT in the Management Development Unit. I loved the learning that went with the role but the endless rounds of change initiatives - that never had time to bed-in before the next one came along - were exhausting and demoralising.

On the up-side BT’s Management College provided me with leading edge training and development which was a perfect foundation for my career.

After 7-years project managing conferences and exhibitions I decided not to return to work after I had my son. Instead I founded my first company, Accelerated Success, in 2003.

Training to become an executive coach led to specialising in working with high performers in best in class consulting and sales organisations.

Delivering bespoke coaching programmes that enabled execs to access the right ideas and approaches for their unique situation in a timely way was my dream job for 15 years.

Continuous learning is a joy, if sometimes challenging. I certainly found completing an MA in Coaching & Mentoring Practice from Oxford Brookes University - where I was a guest lecturer on growing a coaching practice, 2014-2018 - a stretch. I’m also an accredited coach with the Oxford Brookes International Centre for Coaching & Leadership.

I love communicating and was a regular speaker at International Coaching & Mentoring conferences, often talking about our innovative system for developing a successful coaching practice, as set out in our book The Leadership Coaching Alligator Handbook.

Education

Foundation Certificate, Environmental Management, IEMA

Permaculture Design Course, Section 39

Foundation in Group Analysis, Institute Group Analysis

MA Coaching and Mentoring Practice, Oxford-Brookes University

Joint honours BA degree in English and Psychology, Keele University

Diploma in Performance Coaching, Newcastle University

Certificate in Management, Open University

Credentials & training

Climate Fresk Facilitation

Carbon Literacy Training, Carbon Literacy Trust

Zero Carbon Britain, Centre for Alternative Technology

Accredited Coach by Oxford Brookes International School of Leadership & Development

Time to Think Facilitator

When I’m not in the office or with clients, I can usually be found in my garden learning how to grow vegetables, creating spaces for wildlife and playing in my new polytunnel.

To get more of a nature fix I help my sister with her business Wisteria Tours, escorting customers to historic houses and gardens in the UK.

Volunteering with Zero Carbon Shropshire takes up heaps of time. and is exhausting and encouraging in equal measure.

Our two border terriers make sure we get out for regular walks. And when you add in Yoga, reading, and cooking there’s not much time left for anything else.