What did you do before becoming a coach?
I spent 18 years in Investment Banking, travelling the world and leading a large team that executed global financial transactions and liaised with corporate clients in relation to their financial marketing.
What were you most proud of?
I became a Director 10 years after joining the Bank, at a time when there were only a handful of female Directors. I managed to negotiate not one, but two 3 month sabbaticals whilst there, working as a volunteer teacher in Costa Rica and travelling around Australia, New Zealand, south-east Asia, south and central America.
What made you become a coach?
I wanted to help clients excel and reap the rewards of their career, without losing sight of their personal goals – just like I had during my corporate career. I didn’t think I could have a successful career as well as continue to travel around the world, but I made it work brilliantly. My career highlight was hearing I had been promoted whilst on a sabbatical, sunbathing on a beach in Australia!
Who do you work with?
My clients have worked in a broad range of sectors including some of the largest global companies in Financial Services, Oil & Gas and Telecoms.
What’s the best thing a client has said about you?
“Caroline expertly guided me through what has been – professionally and personally – my most momentous year to date. I am on track for a promotion and was given the amazing opportunity to spend several months working in two of our international offices. Both friends and colleagues have commented that I am “like a different person” after coaching.”
What’s working with you like?
I ask hard-hitting questions which make you stop in your tracks, go quiet and think hard. I’m a coach who at times will make you feel uncomfortable, push you out of your comfort zone, challenge your way of thinking and way of doing things. This is how change happens.
What coaching qualifications do you have?
I am a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) having trained with the Coaching Training Institute (CTI) in 2012-2013. CTI’s coach training is an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) awarded by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). In 2022 I gained my PCC credential awarded by the ICF.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I believe life is too short to dread going to work and that happy and fulfilled people achieve more. I love helping people become more adaptable and flexible so they can really succeed.
Coaching gives you the forum to step back, to take stock and put the spotlight on you. Sometimes the real risk in life is not pursuing something you really want.
What’s the final word on Caroline?
I believe humour gets you through a lot in life and in the most challenging of moments we will still have a laugh. Life really is for living and for me that means lots of ski trips, singing and going for it on the dance floor!