Private Executive Coaching for Senior Leaders
Confidential, one-to-one coaching for senior directors, executives and leaders who refuse to compromise performance for wellbeing.
Leadership at the top is often a solitary place
Senior leadership is high-stakes work, and the higher you go the fewer people there are to think out loud with. Whether you are leading through growth or restructure, rebuilding confidence after a difficult period, stepping into a bigger role, or trying to find a better balance between your career and your life outside work, private executive coaching gives you a confidential space to do your best thinking.
There are no generic templates or off-the-shelf toolkits. Every engagement starts with a thorough understanding of your context, your pressure points and your goals, and is then designed around you - so the time we spend together goes on the things that will make the biggest difference.
Who executive coaching is for
Directors and executives in new or bigger roles
Building authority, presence and a clear agenda quickly - without burning out in the first year.
Leaders carrying high-stakes decisions
Budgets, restructures, performance issues and difficult conversations that keep you awake at night.
Leaders feeling the strain
High performers who are stretched thin and want to sustain their impact without sacrificing their health or wellbeing.
Clinicians and managers moving into senior leadership
Making the shift from expert to leader in the NHS and wider healthcare - a transition Carolyn knows first-hand.
What we work on together
Confidence & executive presence
Showing up with authority in the boardroom, with your team and with stakeholders.
Decision-making under pressure
Creating the headspace to move from reactive firefighting to calm, considered judgement.
Influence & communication
Managing upwards, inspiring teams and driving alignment across the organisation.
Resilience & wellbeing
Setting the boundaries that make high performance sustainable over the long term.
Career direction
Getting clear on what you want next and building a practical plan to get there.
Blind spots & behaviours
Understanding your leadership footprint and the habits that help or hold you back.
How private executive coaching works
Free discovery call
A confidential 30-minute conversation to talk through what you are facing and make sure we are the right fit.
Diagnostic deep-dive
A detailed questionnaire explores your challenges and goals. You receive a video response with reflective insights to prepare for your first session, with optional 360° feedback for a fuller picture.
Your personalised coaching plan
A 90-minute initial session maps your journey and agrees a plan built around the behavioural shifts and outcomes that matter most to you.
Structured coaching sessions
Regular sessions, in person or online, where we work through real decisions and challenges as they happen - with email and voice note support in between.
Review and forward plan
We measure progress against where you started and leave you with a clear plan to keep the momentum going.
What a typical engagement includes
Every programme is tailored, but a typical private coaching engagement includes:
- Personalised coaching plan developed collaboratively
- 90-minute deep-dive questionnaire to explore challenges and establish clear goals
- Video response with reflective insights to prepare for your first session
- 90-minute initial coaching session to map your journey
- 12 weeks of structured coaching support with regular check-ins
- 3 × 60-minute coaching sessions
- Email and voice note support between sessions
- End-of-programme review with a clear forward plan
Longer engagements of 6 to 12 sessions over 6 to 12 months are available for leaders who want ongoing support.
What clients say
"1:1 sessions with Carolyn have been empowering and give time to reflect on career development, own successes and identify areas to work on."
"Confidential conversations with someone outside of the organisation opened room for honesty and helped us look at areas that need addressing."
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Executive Coaching FAQs
How long does executive coaching last?
A typical private coaching engagement runs over 12 weeks, starting with a 90-minute initial session followed by three 60-minute coaching sessions and support in between. Longer engagements of 6 to 12 sessions over 6 to 12 months are available for leaders who want ongoing support.
Is executive coaching delivered online or in person?
Both. Sessions can be held in person or online, so coaching fits around your diary wherever you are based in the UK.
Is executive coaching confidential?
Yes. Everything discussed in coaching is confidential, and a coaching contract agreed at the start sets out confidentiality in detail - including what, if anything, is shared with a sponsoring organisation.
Do you only coach NHS and healthcare leaders?
No. Carolyn spent over a decade in senior NHS and healthcare leadership and works with many healthcare leaders, but clients also come from corporate, education, energy and charity organisations.
How much does executive coaching cost?
Investment depends on the length and scope of the programme. The cost is discussed and agreed before coaching begins - book a free discovery call to talk through your needs.
Other ways we can help
Ready to talk?
Book a complimentary, confidential 30-minute discovery call to explore whether executive coaching is right for you.