As coaches and mentors we strive to create a safe and inclusive space in which every client (coachee/ mentee) feels respected and valued. Coaching is a relationship that builds trust, explores identity and builds a sense of belonging so that the client can be their best self and do their best work for the benefit of their organisation and society.

As coaches and mentors we have a crucial role in shaping individuals on their journey. As such, we have the unique opportunity to educate and facilitate productive conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice.

DEI coaching is one way to foster a more inclusive workplace culture. DEI coaches can help employees become more comfortable with conversations and situations surrounding identities and different lived experiences.

DEI Leadership coaching is when a framework is designed to help leaders of companies, organisations, and agencies better understand, embrace, and lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within their organisations.

Patrick is a leadership development coach for many aspiring, new and experienced headteachers/SLT and CEOs, particularly those facing significant challenges both in the UK and internationally. He adopts a responsive Mentoring, Advice & Coaching (MAC) approach that is adaptive & bespoke to meet the needs of his clients.

Patrick initially coached elite sports people in the 1990s/2000s, before moving into education leadership development coaching in 2005. Since 2010, he has been involved in a variety of coaching programmes, including Future Leaders & Teaching Leaders programmes and since 2015 has been involved in coaching cohorts of NPQH & NPQEL participants.

His main coaching is now with headteachers and their teams, as well as with CEOs, their leadership teams and principals. He works both in the UK and internationally, including Vietnam, Canada, USA & India.

Patrick recently retired as a teacher after 36 years, including 30 years as a senior leader & 19 years as a Principal/Executive Principal in secondary, primary and special schools. He now provides bespoke coaching & leadership development packages for MATs and schools

He uses his allyship and advocacy to champion diversity, equity and inclusion within education e.g. Patrick has recently coached his 65th woman into a headship, executive headship &/or CEO role. His allyship work in coaching is cited in a variety of education leadership books, keynotes etc and he recently contributed as #HeForShe to the Diverse Educators: A Manifesto.

Group Coaching

The majority of my coaching accreditation was via the programmes I have delivered eg Future Leaders and Teaching Leaders.

Matthew is an experienced and highly skilled coach, who adopts an integrative, adaptive, client-centred approach to facilitating personal and professional growth. He has worked with middle and senior leaders in the UK and worldwide, and is especially keen to work with clients inhabiting intersecting, minoritised or marginalised charactertistics. A school leader of 25 years, Matthew is also a physically disabled wheelchair-user, father to two neurodivergent, trans children and proud husband to a wife of mixed heritage. Together with his prolific leadership career, this intersectional soup feeds his work.

I have worked with middle and senior leaders internationally and in the UK, each of them struggling with a particular facet of their personal and/or leadership journey. With almost 100 hours of coaching practice, I feel confident working with a variety of coaching clients. My existential commitment to finding and listening to the margins, and helping those on the fringes create more an equitable and just future infuses my work. I listen without judgment, ask lots of questions, mirror my clients’ language, and hold them accountable to their own goals. Feedback on my coaching is universally positive, largely because I meet each client where they are, and walk beside them as they explore alternative futures.

I was an educator, middle and senior leader, headteacher and Principal in the UK and international education sectors for 25 years, most recently as Principal of an award-winning school in the Middle East. During my teaching career, I held most positions, either side of the arbitrary academic/pastoral divide. I moved abroad after 13 years mostly in inner city London schools, and led IB continuum, British curriculum and hybrid day and boarding schools wordwide. I am now a consultant, working with educators and leaders worldwide, helping them ensure that every student, without exception or condition, be seen, be heard, be known or belong. In short, my work explores the intersection between wellbeing and DEIJB, through the prism of kind and ‘warm’, ‘street’ and slow data.

ILM L7

Accredited member of EMCC

Helen Verroux aka Coach Helen is a John Maxwell Certified Coach, an Educational Consultant, the Founder of the Raising Purposed Teen Leaders Movement (RPTL movement & Academy), The Author of The Success Guide For Teens and The Founder of the Success Guide For Teen Academy, the CEO of the vibrant international company called “The Keys For Success” that helps parents, youth organizations and high schools to raise purposed teen leaders without compromising their moral values. She strongly believes that now is the time to equip young people to navigate effectively in this new economy with programs that not only revolutionize the educational system but that help teens to gain clarity on their purpose and understand the concept of financial freedom. She longs to help high school parents, educators and senior leaders to ignite their community, develop leaders and create meaningful connections. She has a passion for transformational leadership, personal growth, serving others and loves to discover different cultures.

She is the founder of The Raising Purposed Teen Leader Academy (R.P.T.L Academy) an online academy that helps parents of preteens and teens set up their children to success, guide them into purpose and away from turbulent teen years. She delivers a virtual workshop to parents of Y6 students transitioning to Y7 in primary schools.

She is also the founder of The Success Guide For Teens Academy (S.G.F.T.A) the #1 online academy that delivers weekly leadership training sessions with interactive videos to Student Council in high school communities. The academy also offers a virtual workshop for parents of Y7 students dedicated to gain new strategies on how they can navigate effectively the teen years and 30 mins workshops delivered by experts to encourage senior leaders to empower, ignite and develop leaders among their staff.

Helen has been an educator for more than 12 years and has worked globally. She has taught French as a foreign language in the Bahamas, the Uk and Qatar. During her teaching career, she has seen the need to equip student leaders. Therefore, she has launched a club called “Success & Leadership Club” (SLC) that encourages public speaking, entrepreneurship, servant leadership and peer-to-peer mentorship.

CPC

Transformational Coach

John Maxwell Certified Coach (Leadership training)

Cathy has been coaching formally and informally for almost 20 years. She followed a coaching course with Zinnia coaching in 2009, and during and following this, coached external clients as well as those in her organisations. She’s successfully used Active Coaching, and her own ‘Professional, Collaborative Curiosity’ model in work with colleagues as a school and MAT leader. Currently she leads her consultancy business and coaches a range of clients in educational settings. Recently she has supported three colleagues to achieve permanent roles as a CFO, Headteacher and Deputy Head. Curiosity, empathy and warm challenge are her trademark qualities.

Coaching senior team as a headteacher 2005-13

Zinnia coaching course 2009-10

Client from IBM 2009-10

Coaching colleagues Civil Service 2013-16

Coaching colleagues Summit Learning Trust MAT 2017-22 and other education leaders

CA Consulting – successfully coached CFO; Secondary Headteacher; Deputy Headteacher; Trust senior leader; Primary Headteachers

Currently following EMCC accreditation course (to be completed end 2024)

Cathy currently leads CA Consulting. For the last 18 months she has worked with a wide range of Trusts and schools to support leadership and strategic development, and equalities work through school visits and online coaching.
Cathy was Chief Executive Officer of Summit Learning Trust in Birmingham from 2017-2022. The Trust comprises 8 academies in south and north Birmingham. All saw transformational improvements during this time. Prior to this role, Cathy was a senior HMI in London and HMI in the South-East for 4 years, following her successful headship of a large secondary school in Hampshire for 8 years.

Fierce Conversations

Five Dysfunctions of a Team

EMCC (in progress)

Bianca Chappell is a highly acclaimed NLP Master Life & Cognitive Behavioural Coach, recognised for her expertise in guiding clients through transformative personal development journeys. Specialising in mindset rebooting, confidence, and accountability, she empowers individuals to unlock their full potential. Bianca’s unique perspective as a mental health specialist enriches her coaching practice, prioritising holistic growth and well-being. Her dedication to empowering others shines through in her impactful coaching approach, making her a trusted partner in personal and professional transformation.

With expertise as an NLP Practitioner, Mental Health First Aider, and educational Senior Designed Mental Health Lead, she is a Cognitive Behavioral Coach renowned in the UK and New York’s female entrepreneur and education sectors. Experienced in coaching high-profile clients and individuals aspiring to achieve remarkable goals, she leads coaching master classes, roundtables 1:1 coaching journeys, and group coaching programs. Her approach blends psychological insights with practical strategies, empowering clients to navigate challenges effectively and unlock their full potential. Her coaching methodologies have proven instrumental in fostering personal growth and professional success across diverse backgrounds and aspirations.

With a Joint Honours BA degree, Bianca ascended to roles such as Head of Year Head of Alternative Education and Pastoral Manager. Her pivotal work as the Developer of an Alternative Education curriculum for a leading UK school trust showcased innovative educational approaches. As an schools Ethos Lead, Bianca strategically develops and oversees a holistic pastoral support provision in education. Transitioning to coaching, she excelled as a Personal Development Coach and founded the UK’s premier non-profit supporting women in enterprise. Her impact extendeds to contributing to educational coaching circles and as Senior Strategic Lead for a CPY mental health organisation, fortifying her legacy in education and mental health advocacy.

Group Coaching

NLP

DISC

Cognitive Behavioural Coach

Not only is Nadine leading a thriving school community in London, she is also the CEO of a Social Enterprise and a professional executive coach, helping clients to find reward in their work and improve their performance. Along her career path, Nadine has come to learn that personal development has no expiry date and believes in developing the whole person from mindset to physical wellbeing, during her 1:1 coaching, both of which impact personal growth, living and leading well.

With over 5 years as a qualified coach and over 10 years in senior leadership, Nadine possesses a strong foundation in coaching principles and the ability to guide individuals effectively. Her experience extends to working with both men and women from various backgrounds and professional sectors, demonstrating her adaptability and ability to cater to different needs and perspectives. Nadine is particularly known for fostering strong relationships and providing valuable support that leads to sustained success.

Nadine Bernard, founder and CEO of Aspiring Heads, gained her first headship at 31, becoming one of the UK’s youngest black Headteachers. Her passion for challenging stereotypes led her to establish the award-winning social enterprise, addressing racial disparities in education. A skilled executive coach and advocate for inclusion, Nadine motivates and inspires others. As Headteacher at a school in South West London, she continues to redefine norms, working towards social justice. Recognised globally, Nadine features on the Women To Watch 2022 List and received the Excellent Yummy Mummy Award in 2023 for Excellence in Education.

ILM L7

Nadia is founder of Destino Coaching. She grew up in North London and moved to East Anglia to take up Headship in 2015. She worked in London schools for 15 years before moving East. The school she moved here to lead, was recognised as being in the bottom 2% of schools for academic performance when and the challenge that faced her, was greater than I ever imagined. She realised quickly that the only way to lead in such circumstances was to be the best person she could be, so I embarked on a counselling training course and started her journey to becoming a coach. Coaching became a way of being in her school.

Through Destino Coaching, Nadia champions challenges and empowers headteachers to achieve their big dreams for their schools without compromising their health. Through coaching, Nadia supports heads to improve their leadership abilities as well as the challenges associated with managing organisational change. She is committed to helping headteachers to find their voice and point of influence.

Since leaving headship, Nadia has achieved ACC status as a coach through the International Coaching Federation and has worked with over 200 headteachers.

Nadia taught and led in London schools for over 20 years. Starting out as an MFL teacher, she moved into primary schools with the KS2 MFL framework. She has led SEND as Deputy of a PRU and inclusion lead across two primary schools She has supported a number of schools across the phases to implement coaching approaches, since working independently.

ICF ACC

Isaac is an ADHD coach, qualified teacher, FA qualified football coach, and former Flagship store retail manager.

Being diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia in late adulthood and also having neurodiverse children led him to explore the potential that lies hidden behind the unique challenges of being neurodivergent.

Isaac is passionate about helping both adults and children, diagnosed or still undiagnosed later in life, and supporting parents/carers and partners.

Through personalised coaching, he will work on unlocking your true potential, helping to understand your unique brain, improving and building self-esteem, and creating strategies for a fulfilling life.

Isaac has over 12 years of coaching experience in the retail industry, coaching Store/Assistant managers and supervisors for several retail businesses as part of New store opening teams, coaching store/assistant managers, and supervisors and staff to run effective and profitable stores and manage staff effectively.

Isaac also has six years of experience coaching youth football for two local football teams and is a coach for Kent Elite Scouting Academy.

Isaac has over 20 years working in retail in flagship stores, managing companies such as Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, TM Lewin, Nike, Foot locker, Banana Republic/Gap, Hamleys toy store, Toys r Us, and as a trainer/coach at Amazon.

Isaac has been a teacher for 5 years, is a former Head of House for KS3, and a curriculum innovator and student mentor in his current school, supporting teachers, students, and parents with information and strategies to support neurodiverse students.

ADHDworks certified coach

As a senior leader and primary Headteacher for many years, Gerlinde has used coaching as a powerful tool to develop and nurture leaders at all levels. Gerlinde builds trusting, confidential coaching relationships. She listens to learn and uses questioning and challenge to enable coachees to articulate their goals, reframe limiting beliefs and take action to make change. Now working in DEIB consultancy, Gerlinde continues to use her expertise to coach leaders across the teaching profession, specialising in working with those from ‘marginalised’ communities and with intersecting identities, empowering them to challenge others’ perceptions, find their voice and achieve their goals.

Gerlinde has used a range of coaching methodologies across her career. This includes ‘instructional’ coaching of ITT, ECT and recently qualified teachers whilst a senior teacher, moving to analytical or ‘pure’ coaching as her leadership journey and expertise progressed.

In 2018, she trained as an Advanced Reviewer on Challenge Partners QA School Reviews, coaching senior leader reviewers to make a professional contribution to the process.

Since then, Gerlinde has gained both the APOC and OPC coaching qualifications (Olevi International) and works with leaders at all levels in schools across the UK to build their self-belief, realise their ambition and transform cultures.

Gerlinde Achenbach is a former primary headteacher and senior leader. A Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, she has a teaching career spanning more than 30 years in schools in SE London. She is currently working as a leadership coach (OPC, Olevi International) and education consultant in equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. In 2023, Gerlinde set up her consultancy, GAEd.

She now works with schools and school leaders, sharing her leadership experience and expertise in school improvement, changing school culture, developing leaders at all levels and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Gerlinde works both in-person in Suffolk and London, and online.

OPC (Olevi Professional Coach)

Olevi International, accr IFCF