Executive Coaching

Lizzie Pawsey is an experienced business leader, facilitator, coach and coach supervisor. She brings 20 years’ previous work experience in several global organisations, including Diageo, Britvic and Pernod Ricard, where she worked in several senior marketing and HR leadership roles. Her approach is therefore grounded in the commercial world – she understands the challenges of working in global cross-cultural organisations, leading teams of people through change and delivering against a business plan. Lizzie works with board, executive and senior leaders both one to one and in teams and groups to support them to lead themselves, lead others and lead their business. Typical areas that her clients explore with her include identifying purpose and values, developing authentic leadership style, enhancing executive presence and confidence, managing personal and professional change, building resilience, developing effective stakeholder relationships, influencing others and dealing with conflict. Lizzie builds strong and trusting relationships with her clients and offers a safe space within which they can think freely, explore their limiting mind sets and focus on their strengths. Her style is professional, warm and supportive, combined with challenge and tenacity to enable them to achieve their goals and create sustainable change. She uses several models and frameworks from her business and coaching careers such as TA, CBC, Gestalt, Solutions Focus and Neuroscience.

Coach training: ICF accredited coach (PCC level). Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching (Academy of Executive Coaching)

“I worked with Lizzie for a number of weeks, completing a Leadership Coaching programme. Each session with her was insightful, constructive and almost therapeutic, helping me better understand, work through and manage certain difficult situations. Lizzie helped me to understand triggers and signs, ultimately allowing me to learn to effectively self-coach after our programme was finished. I highly recommend Lizzie.”

Professor Toby Salt is an experienced CEO and non- executive director. He provides coaching and mentoring for a number of CEOs in the schools sector. Until recently he was the group CEO of AQA the largest exam board in the UK and was previously Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, which sponsors 37 academies across England, with responsibility for 26,000 students and 3,500 staff.

Prior to that, Toby was Deputy Chief Executive at the National College for School Leadership, an executive agency providing leadership development and policy advice for schools and ministers. Toby has also worked as Executive Head of a federation of three schools, and has led schools (across the phases) to achieve ‘outstanding’ gradings under Ofsted. In 2000, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as Director of the Department for Education’s Innovation Unit to lead innovation in school practices and structures.

Coaching training: BASIC coaching programme

“My work so far with Professor Toby Salt has been exceptional. The work that we have done together has allowed me to really think through decision making and accountability and question how I move forward. The style that Toby used as a coach was to let me talk through the issue and to try to find a solution myself however Toby was able to make me consider alternative solutions if the direction I had previously taken had not be fruitful.”

Phil Crompton has over 20 years’ experience in education as a highly successful secondary headteacher and then as CEO of a multi-academy trust in the East Midlands. During his time as headteacher, Phil became a National Leader of Education (NLE), recognised for his skills and contributions as a leader and ability to support other schools in challenging circumstances. Phil is also an established author, with his book ‘In Search of My Alumni’ published in 2019, receiving very positive reviews from the education community.

Coaching training: BASIC coaching programme and undertaking qualifications with the Coaching Academy

“I have been fortunate enough to have been coached by Phil. This is the first time I have been coached and I was feeling apprehensive before my first session. Phil put me at ease immediately. Due to his calm and welcoming manner, we established a professional rapport very quickly. Phil is not afraid of the ‘silent moments’. He waits for me to respond and gives me time to think / feel. Phil has helped me to set short and long term goals. These goals have helped me to clarify the way ahead and focus on the most important things. He is an excellent coach.“

Margaret Allen is an experienced executive coach and facilitator who engages clients and inspires change. An insightful and creative practitioner, Margaret has over 20 years’ experience working with organisations, teams and individuals across the corporate, commercial, public and charity sectors. Prior to this she held senior roles in-house for Diageo & Anheuser-Busch European Trade where she was HR Director and has been a Non-Executive Director for over 6 years. 

She enjoys helping clients work through complexity and focus on what’s important for them and their organisations. She has a direct, pragmatic and down to earth approach combining challenging questioning with a supportive space for reflection.

Coaching training: ICF qualified as a Professional Certified Coach (having led 500+ hours of coaching)

Margaret is incredibly insightful and has an ability to relay her observations in a subtle yet meaningful manner. I found her coaching, guidance, and the experience to be both enlightening and enriching. In particular, she helped me better understand myself within a positive mind-set and purpose. I felt that the programme provided me with a strong initial platform to develop in a business & personal capacity – and further assisted me with overcoming some longstanding challenges.

Director, Independent Finance Organisation

Working with Margaret has been a phenomenal opportunity to unpick my internal thought processes and deal with the pressures associated with a senior leadership position in a complex setting. Margaret’s approach to the sessions immediately placed me at ease with difficult issues being explored and new behaviours learnt. Her warmth, encouragement, and passion to help others succeed supported our work and I have learnt both from Margaret and perhaps of equal importance, myself. I would recommend Margaret unreservedly.

Executive Leader, Multi Academy Trust