about me

Hello, I’m Kay

I’m a coach, consultant and mediator who works with leaders navigating complex responsibilities - supporting others, influencing across systems, and driving change in values‑led organisations.

I create calm, purposeful spaces where leaders can step back from the noise, deepen their insight, strengthen their leadership, and make clear, confident decisions.

Drawing on many years of executive leadership, charity governance and organisational consultancy, I quickly understand your context, which means we can move past the basics and focus on the thinking, conversations and choices that genuinely matter.

who I work with

I support leaders who carry responsibility for others.

My clients are often:

CEOs and senior executives navigating complexity, pace and pressure

Chairs and trustees balancing governance, stewardship and relationships

Founders and directors holding multiple systems and stakeholders

Leaders in values‑driven organisations who need space to think clearly

Teams and organisations who need governance clarity, improved ways of working or independent facilitation

People in conflict who benefit from calm, impartial mediation to move forward safely and constructively

Whether the work is coaching, consultancy or mediation, the thread is the same:

I support people who support others, helping them create the clarity, steadiness and boundaries they need to lead well.

how I can help

Working with me gives you space, clarity and support that leaders rarely get elsewhere. My clients experience:

Clear thinking in complex situations
Space to step back, see patterns, understand dynamics and identify what truly matters.
Stronger boundaries and healthier leadership habits
Support to separate what’s yours from what isn’t — the foundation for sustainable leadership.
Thoughtful challenge
A steady, human presence who listens deeply and also asks the questions that move things forward.
Better decision‑making
Insight, reflection and practical guidance that help you act with clarity and confidence.
Organisational clarity when needed
Consultancy support to strengthen governance, roles, relationships and ways of working.
Calm, impartial support in difficult moments
Mediation that helps people move through conflict with dignity, clarity and safety.

Across coaching, consultancy and mediation, the thread is the same:

I help leaders create the clarity, steadiness and support they need to do their best work, without burning out or carrying everything alone.

Get in touch >

practicalities

My aim is to keep the practical side simple, clear and supportive.

Session length

Most sessions are 90 minutes, giving you the space needed for deeper thinking and meaningful progress.

Frequency

Typically every 4–6 weeks, depending on what supports you best. Some people prefer more frequent sessions at the start; others appreciate more space. We agree this together.

Format

Sessions are usually online, which works well for focus, flexibility and keeping momentum.
Where geography allows, I’m also happy to meet in person.

Between sessions

You can check in by email or message for light‑touch support, reflection prompts or sense‑checking when needed.

Confidentiality

Each coaching relationship is treated as a completely protected space. Boundaries are clear, strict and agreed together.

Getting started

We begin with a 30–45 minute chemistry conversation to explore whether we’re the right fit and what you’d like support with.

book an exploratory call

consultancy & mediation

Alongside coaching, I partner with organisations that are navigating complexity, change or uncertainty. My consultancy is grounded, practical and shaped by real‑world leadership and governance experience across charities, CICs, social enterprises and SMEs, supported by ACAS‑trained mediation expertise.

I help leaders and teams create clarity, strengthen relationships and build the structures that enable people to work well together.

Areas I can help with include:

Governance clarity & board effectiveness
Supporting organisations to strengthen roles, decision‑making, delegation and accountability in ways that are both practical and human.
Organisational roles, structure & ways of working
Helping teams understand who does what, where handovers or responsibilities break down, and how to build healthier, more aligned ways of working.
Leadership decision‑making
Providing a steady, external perspective to help leaders think clearly in ambiguous situations, reduce noise and make confident, values‑led decisions.
Conflict resolution & mediation
As an ACAS‑trained mediator, I facilitate calm, impartial conversations that help teams and individuals move through tension or conflict safely, respectfully and constructively.
Culture, communication & psychological safety
Supporting leaders and teams to work together well, especially during periods of growth, pressure or transition.
Sensitive or independent investigations
Where neutrality is important, I handle difficult or confidential issues with clarity, discretion and care.

My consultancy and mediation work follow the same thread as my coaching:

helping people and organisations create alignment, clarity and healthier ways of working, especially when things feel messy, complex or uncertain.

more about me

About me

I’m Kay, a coach, consultant, mediator and governance specialist who works with people who carry a lot for others. I support leaders across charities, CICs, social enterprises and SMEs, helping them think clearly, strengthen boundaries and navigate complex roles with more steadiness and confidence.

I bring many years of senior leadership and organisational experience, alongside active governance roles. I’m a Director and Trustee of Humanists UK, Chair of Eating Distress North East, and an accredited Humanist funeral celebrant with Humanists UK.

These roles give me a deep understanding of values‑led leadership, organisational systems and the emotional realities of supporting people through both every day and life‑defining moments.

My path

My career has never followed a straight line. I’ve led teams, supported boards, guided organisations through change, and worked closely with leaders carrying significant pressure. The thread through all of it has been people - helping them make sense of complex situations, see their patterns, and find clarity when things feel messy or uncertain.

Over time, my work has become about offering a space leaders rarely get elsewhere: a calm, human, reflective place to think deeply and reconnect with what matters.

How I work

My style is warm, steady and purposeful. I balance empathy with thoughtful challenge, and adapt to the person and system in front of me.

I draw on human approaches, solution‑focused practice, systems thinking, reflective leadership and my ACAS‑trained mediation background, but I’m not tied to any single model; I use whatever helps you see clearly and move forward.

I support leaders to understand dynamics, manage relationships, set boundaries, handle complexity and make confident, values‑aligned decisions.

What matters to me

I care about clarity.
I care about leaders having space to reflect.
I care about governance that works in real life, not just on paper.
I care about boundaries as leadership.
I care about people working sustainably without carrying everything alone.
I care about humanity - especially in difficult or emotionally demanding work.

Outside work

When I’m not supporting leaders or organisations, you’ll usually find me in the allotment, in the kitchen, or sharing food and travel on Instagram. Cooking and growing things give me the same grounding I aim to offer through my work: calm, steadiness and connection.

Funeral Celebrancy

As well as my coaching, consultancy and mediation work, I am a qualified Funeral Celebrant, accredited by Humanists UK. I create and lead non‑religious funerals, celebrations of life, memorials and ash‑scattering ceremonies that are personal, meaningful and true to the individual.

You can find more details on the Humanists UK Celebrant Network here:

Humanists UK Celebrant Network

what my clients have to say

My clients describe my work as calm, steady and deeply supportive with the kind of thoughtful challenge that helps them move forward with clarity.

coaching clients

“Kay helped me take the next step in my career with clarity and confidence.”
Her support improved how I connect with others, present myself and approach my role. I still share her resources with peers because they simply work.
– Manager, Higher Education

“Warm, steady and challenging in the best way.”
Kay helped me navigate difficult management scenarios, remain optimistic and focus on solution‑finding during times of pressure and change.
– Marketing & Events Manager

“My confidence and leadership have come back to life.”
I’m leading projects better than ever and feel ready for my next promotion. Kay’s belief in me — and her ability to ask the right questions — made all the difference.
– Project Director

“I am a significantly better leader than I was a year ago.”
Kay’s calm, reflective style helped me develop leadership, communication and management skills in a holistic way. I always left our sessions clearer and more capable.
– Performance Sports Coach

More coaching testimonials available on request.

consultancy clients

“Kay brought clarity and calm to a complex organisational situation. She helped us understand our roles, improve ways of working and make decisions with far greater confidence.”
– Director, Social Enterprise

“Her governance expertise is exceptional. Kay helped us strengthen delegation, decision‑making and board effectiveness in a way that actually works in practice.”
– Chair, Charity Board

“Kay sees patterns quickly and helps teams reset how they work together. Her support made everything feel more manageable and constructive.”
– CEO, CIC

mediation clients

“Kay handled a difficult conflict with incredible calm and clarity. She created a safe space where everyone felt heard and helped us move forward with dignity.”
– Manager, Charity Sector

“Her impartiality and steadiness were invaluable during a tense situation. Kay kept the conversation safe, respectful and constructive from start to finish.”
– Senior Leader, Social Enterprise

“Kay balances empathy with structure. People instantly trust her, and that makes resolution possible.”
– Operations Lead, SME