My 35-year career has focused on senior roles at the centre of complex organisations in the private, public and social sectors. Before my current work as an executive coach and leadership advisor, I spent 22 years at McKinsey & Company, including a decade as Global Director of Risk. This followed earlier careers in the UK government and as an orchestral and operatic conductor.

As an executive coach and leadership advisor, I have worked with leaders, teams and boards in professional services, government and the social sector, as well as corporates, family businesses, private equity firms and start-ups.

At McKinsey, I was for ten years the firm’s first Global Director of Risk. I counselled senior leaders and partners globally on complex issues across sectors and in more than 120 countries. I served as a member of the firm’s senior decision-making committee for higher-risk client work. I advised the firm’s board on its overall risk priorities, policies, capabilities and culture. I created and led the firm’s global risk function, spanning client service risk, enterprise risk management, risk culture and compliance.

In earlier McKinsey roles, I co-led work to build the firm’s global public sector practice and advised on government reform in over 30 countries.

As a civil servant in the UK government, I was chief of staff to a cabinet minister and advised on welfare and pensions reform.

As an orchestral and operatic conductor, I led performances at venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, coached opera singers and brought together orchestras, singers, stage directors, managers and sponsors in concerts and opera performances.

My research, publications and speaking engagements cover topics including lessons for today’s leaders from great conductors; leading in an era of volatility; the risk imperative facing leaders in professional services and across sectors; career pivots and job interviews; and how global companies can manage geopolitical risk.

I have spoken at forums including the Association of CEOs of Greece, Cambridge University, Global Leaders in Law, IESE Business School, the International Bar Association, London Business School and Meyler Campbell.

I have made longstanding nonprofit contributions in social inclusion, education and the arts, as an advisor and board and risk committee member. I am a trustee and board member of London’s Kiln Theatre. Before this, I was the independent member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance committee of the London Interdisciplinary School.

I care deeply about equality, diversity and inclusion, with a longstanding track record of recruiting, mentoring, supporting and sponsoring female, Black and LGBTQ+ professionals.

I studied philosophy and economics at the University of Oxford, followed by postgraduate study in orchestral conducting at the Royal College of Music. I qualified as a business coach with high distinction through the Meyler Campbell Mastered programme, followed by ongoing study with Mobius Executive Leadership. I am individually accredited as an executive coach by the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC).

I live in London and work with clients globally.