Seahorse Coaching

I created Seahorse Coaching in 2023, having completed a 40 year career in public services, the last 7 as Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government. I know the pressure, pleasure and loneliness of leadership. I have learnt from success and from failure. As a result, I see my role as an executive coach is to create and protect time for you to step back in a safe and non-judgemental space, to explore and reflect, and to seek practical and pragmatic solutions in order for you to grow as a person and as a leader.

Seahorses symbolize strength, persistence and peace. Independent eye movement enables them to look forwards and backwards simultaneously.

About Seahorse Coaching

I am a trained and experienced coach working with executives and senior leaders across a range of UK industries and sectors - public, private and not for profit. My clients seek a confidential and trusting space to reflect, explore or to think out loud. Some are wrestling with specific professional, organisational or personal challenges. Some are applying for new jobs or stepping up into new roles. Some are wrestling with turbulent or uncertain times or pursuing change. Many are simply seeking to reacquaint themselves with their values, to focus on what really matters, and to identify - and protect time for - what only they can do.

As a trained and experienced facilitator I can also help you to develop your team, invest in key partnerships and collaborations, and check alignment with your organisation’s goals and outcomes.

I have also designed and implemented feedback systems for senior teams, working with stakeholders and staff to solicit meaningful and specific material, and providing coaching to elicit authentic leadership and corporate responses.

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Testimonials

  • Partner, UK Financial Advisors

    “Never under-estimate the merits of coaching, and never under-estimate the insight and challenge that a strong coach can bring. Leslie brings this insight and challenge in buckets. She has an incredibly calming persona and a very inquisitive and well-informed mind. Leslie is a first-class coach - I would recommend her to anyone who is perhaps contemplating the next stage in their career, or for those who simply require independent challenge and guidance in respect of their leadership style and/or strategic thinking.”

  • Government Chief Operating Officer

    “Leslie’s coaching has been hugely helpful. During our time working together, I have found her approach to be both supportive and intellectually rigorous,. Each meeting concluded with a well - defined set of actions, ensuring that I could easily translate insights into tangible progress. Leslie also introduced a small number of simple but effective heuristics, always at the right time. I will draw upon these throughout my professional life”.

  • CEO, National Charity

    “Leslie’s coaching was a gift sent at a critical time for me, both in my personal and professional capacity. Leslie provided me with that safe harbour. I am more confident about who I am, the journey I have taken and the direction of travel as a result of coaching sessions with Leslie.

  • UK Permanent Secretary

    “Leslie has been able to challenge me honestly and support me to understand the connection between my personal and work resilience when discharging a role at the highest level of leadership. In using her advice and support I have changed my leadership outlook even with more than 30 years of leadership practice. She has my highest recommendation for anyone wishing to receive insightful and personal coaching support.”

  • CEO National Arts Organisation

    “ I really appreciated the kind approach and links made to wellbeing in every session. Your advice and clarity of thinking on the importance of looking after yourself, both physically and mentally, and the healthy challenge on confidence to ask for what I need, was extremely beneficial - something I have not had from anyone else in this role.’

  • Director General, UK Government

    “I have really loved working with Leslie. Her approach to coaching is clearly founded not just on a wealth of professional experience but also on great emotional intelligence and a true sense of perspective. She has really engaged with me as a whole person not just a professional, and has helped me to really valuable insights on my values and aspirations as well as identifying practical ways to become a better leader.”

  • Partner, Big 4 consulting firm

    ‘Leslie helped me navigate through a particularly challenging time at work, and help me prepare for some big decisions. She helped me feel in control and ready, rather than buffered by events'

  • Chambers of Commerce

    “The leadership coaching experience with Leslie was highly effective and challenging. It improved my self awareness, identified professional blind spots and provided a fresh new perspective enhancing my ability to lead”.

About Me

I am fully qualified with an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 7 Diploma (the highest level coaching qualification available) but continue to learn and develop my coaching practice. I coach online and in person across the UK, and regularly coach out of doors. Given my own experience, senior women leaders often seek out my services.

I am an Associate Coach with the Taylor Clarke Partnership and with the UK Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, and am a member of EY’s Premier Executive Coaching Community for UK Government. I am currently facilitating the Cabinet Office sponsored Whitehall & Industry Group Exchange Programme for public, third and private sector senior leaders.

I am a member of the Association for Coaching, bound by their Global Code of Ethics for Coaches.

I offer a range of fee packages, and have provided ‘pro bono’ services for third sector leaders and organisations in the past.

Contact me