Clients come to me because they’re seeing: 

1.  Mismatched expectations about ways of working, what ‘good’ looks like, and career progression.
2.  People waiting for direction instead of taking initiative.
3.  Technically expert managers who lack confidence or capability in managing others.
4.  Valued colleagues not staying as long as hoped.
5.  Pressure to deliver more, alongside concerns about overload, burnout and attrition.
6.  Talented individuals plateauing without realising their potential.
7.  Mid–senior colleagues holding back from stepping up to lead.
8.  A need to evolve the culture as the business scales or goes through change.

I help business and HR leaders to:

1.  Clarify the ‘deal’ and involve people in shaping this.
2.  Empower individuals and teams while supporting leaders to let go.
3.  Develop confident, capable managers.
4.  Understand what drives retention and what’s getting in the way.
5.  Develop happier teams who work smarter not harder.
6.  Identify and reduce the hidden barriers to progression.
7.  Build the confidence and capability of future leaders.
8.  Define the culture you want to keep, change, and build - and how to achieve this.

Some of the ways I do this are:

  • Partnering with business and HR leaders to shape their desired culture.
  • Facilitating team development/team effectiveness workshops.
  • Coaching individuals and groups in relational skills, confidence and career progression.
  • Conducting ongoing research into ‘Growing great managers’.
  • Giving talks to senior leaders, HR teams, managers or all employees.
  • Co-creating a new employer/employee ‘deal’.
  • Piloting new ways of working.
  • Assessing employee experience via listening sessions, stay interviews, leaver research, feedback analysis.
  • Designing and delivering bespoke development programmes for people managers, future/emerging leaders, senior women and high potential talent.
  • Designing sponsorship programmes and training leaders on being effective sponsors.

Consultancy testimonials

We needed someone to challenge the status quo, but in a way that opened the conversation. Helen did this brilliantly.

Business leader

Helen enabled us to step back and evaluate how we can really get the best out of ourselves as a team.


Senior manager

Helen helps people turn  knowledge into action so they can step into their full potential.


Business leader

Recent client work

Some consulting assignments I've partnered with clients on.

Leaver research

Scaling-up satellite communications company

I led qualitative and quantitative research among recent voluntary leavers to help the CEO and CPO  better understand factors affecting their retention, attrition and workforce diversity.

Outcomes: Sharp insights into what motivated and frustrated employees plus recommendations to improve workplace and HR policies, behaviours and ways of working.

Culture strategy

Market-leading insurance company

I facilitated sessions with the Executive and Senior Management Teams to articulate the culture they wanted for the future and better understand employees' experiences.

Outcomes: the leaders identified specific ways of working that would enable continued growth, prioritised a few organisational improvements and some metrics of success.

Targeted development programme

National retailer

I developed a multi-module coaching programme for 'rising stars' to help them proactively develop their skills, confidence, visibility and career path.
Outcomes: Participants rated the programme as highly engaging and effective, offering thought-provoking challenge and 'a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow together'.

Sponsorship programme

Global reinsurer's UK business

I worked with the EMEA DEI leader and team to collaboratively design a bespoke sponsorship programme aimed at improving workplace equity for all.

Outcomes: In 8 weeks we had a fully-tested end-to-end process, training materials and communications  ready for the pilot programme. 'Highly productive workshops and a high quality design that met our needs perfectly'.

Team coaching

Fast-growing mid-size insurance company

I facilitated ‘time intelligence’ workshops with over 20 teams and provided tailored support to managers.
Outcomes: the teams identified ways to work smarter not harder, trialled new ideas and strengthened social bonds. Managers reported feeling more confident about leading similar team conversations in future.

Inclusive culture strategy

Multi-site, multi-business reinsurer

I conducted listening sessions across the business to gather feedback on DEI initiatives to date and guide efforts to continue building an inclusive culture.

Outcomes: A diverse group of around 100-120 colleagues actively engaged in the sessions; 5 priorities were identified to enhance awareness, upskill managers and communicate the positive impacts.