Hello from Val
Hello & welcome to coaching!
I am a Master Certified Coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation.
I have worked in both business and education. I studied, lived and worked across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Leveraging rich experience and insights from across the business world and education industry, from eastern and western philosophies and wisdom, my strengths lie in utilizing creative problem-solving skills and design thinking to help leaders and professionals navigate challenges and uncertainties with confidence.
I am also passionate about supporting young people to learn and thrive with a growth mindset finding a balance between academic development and mental well-being.
I am currently based in Oxfordshire with my husband and my son, and our yellow lab, Max.
More about me
With 20 years of experience in business management specializing in strategic/risk management and five years in training and development in Education, I hold an MBA and a MCC (Master Certified Coach). I have been coaching for 10 years, with over 2500 coaching hours.
As a coach, I am privileged to have worked with senior executives in large corporations and senior leaders in primary and secondary schools. I guide my coachees to pursue their personal and career goals, develop their confidence and authentic leadership, and enhance their emotional intelligence, so they can build more trusting relationships. I have also helped teaching staff, professionals, researchers and students design paths to accelerate their learning and growth.
In February last year, I started a very meaningful project – providing a coaching service to the staff in an independent school in Southeast England, to support the school’s efforts in looking after staff wellbeing. Having worked in a school myself and knowing how busy school life is, I am honoured to have the opportunity to provide a safe and reflective space to busy teachers and school staff so that they can focus on themselves and what is important to them, partnering together to create strategies and most importantly actions to regain their energy and balance. Previously, during the pandemic lock-downs, I also joined initiatives in providing coaching to front line NHS staff and senior leaders in primary and secondary schools to create successful strategies to address uncertainties, to support staff and pupil well-being, and to communicate effectively with parents and stakeholders in a challenging time.
Coaching in Education is something that is really close to my heart. You can find out more in Energy Coaching in Schools.
My Philosophy
I believe in:
1) Authenticity.
We do our best when we are at our best. We are at our best when we are truly ourselves. I have supported my clients to discover and re-connect with their strengths, purpose, values and passions to develop a deeper sense of confidence.
2) Honesty.
Coaching is client-centred. This is your time and space. I do not hold back, not only in offering my intuition, insights and perspectives, but more importantly in sharing what I have seen and what I have heard.
3) Learning.
When I work with clients, I not only aim for creative solutions, but also long-term learning for increased impact. “Action x Reflection = Learning”, as said by David Peterson, former Head of Coaching at Google. Coaching is an opportunity for you to step back from your day-to-day business and stay grounded with what is truly important.
4) Equality and diversity.
We are all equal despite our differences in age, culture, profession, gender and ability. We all long for being included, having a sense of belonging and being able to contribute. Our difference and diversity should be celebrated as it contributes to different perspectives, generation of innovative ideas and the moving forward together as an organization or as a whole society.
I value honesty, trust and connection. As a coach, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to connect deeply with my coachees. It always touches my heart when they put their trust in me, and when they share their vulnerabilities and challenges. They inspire me every time.
The coaching session is time invested in you and driven by you. I believe that you have inherent greatness and strength, and lots to celebrate. I know that you have everything you need to succeed—all I need to do is to be your mirror so that you can see it in yourself. I will be here to provide unconditional support on your growth journey, and to be your thinking partner to help you see new perspectives and possibilities.
My Credentials
MCC (Masterful Certified Coach), International Coaching Federation
Certified “Designing Your Life” Coach
ICF registered mentor coach
Enhanced practitioner, Foundations of Great Coaching Enhanced Course, led by David Peterson, former Head of Coaching, Google, and David Goldsmith, Director of 7 Paths Forward
Advanced Coaching training with CoachU, one of the founders of the coaching industry.
MBA with Distinction
MA in English Language and Literature
PMP (Project Management Professional)
Hilltop Coaching 