associates

This page is all about our associates. Here you can find detail on their approaches, methods, qualifications and more.

Associates

Ian Farrington
Al Ritchie
Ann-Kathrin Baumgardt
Bernie Ritchie
Andrea Willimott
Karla Benske
Helen Rimmer
Louise McMilan

Any questions or comments you can either address to the particular associate or you can use our standard form to contact us

Introduction

My working life has been predominantly around change and innovation, whether as a consultant engineer / project director in FinTech or as a non-exec director. I have also run a design and consultancy company for many years, providing solutions for companies and individuals around change, innovation and growth.

Coaching for Change, Sustainability, Innovation and Success

We live in a world of ever faster change and organisations, teams and leaders need to address new challenges, changing markets, governance requirements, sustainability, ways of doing business and of working. All of which seem to require more immediate responses.

As an Executive Coach, I work with and support individuals, teams and organisations dealing with these types of challenges and those who want to grow and innovate, change, adapt and evolve. Organisations may be established SME's, startups, scale-ups or corporates.

I also support people wanting to make a change for the better wherever and whenever I can.

Coaching Style

Coaching is all about you, the client; your goals, your needs. At the core rapport, respect and trust form the framework of the coaching relationship. Part of my role is to learn about you, your business and your role(s) within it so I can communicate with you in a way that best works for you. In turn, this helps you work with the business and/or personal goals and challenges you are addressing. I find coaching fulfilling and deeply rewarding and I do my best to also bring this aspect into the relationship with you. It's also frequently challenging, energising and with eye-opening insights that can really make a difference.

I use a planned intuitive approach in session involving coaching models appropriate for that moment together with a range of tools and exercises to support you on your journey. This is coupled with deep listening, questioning and challenging, whilst at all times focussing on you and providing you with the time and security of space to think, reflect and respond.

Introduction

• Andrea is a highly experienced coach and mentor with significant experience predominantly in the public sector supporting individuals and teams. Working with those:
• Managing a transition to a new role
• Implementing a major change programme or operating in a complex system leadership role
• Needing to navigate new relationships with colleagues, to feel more confident in your role, act on feedback or consider planning a career change
• struggling with imposter syndrome, being a people pleaser or, always striving for the next challenge
• struggling with being a credible clinical leader or operating as a female leader in your chosen sector
• wondering if this is the right environment for you or how to be recognised and valued for being yourself.
• considering how to be resilient and balance personal wellbeing and work life balance.

Industry Experience

Andrea’s coaching experience is as both an internal and external coach working in large public sector organisations with Professional staff at a Senior and Executive level. Recent Experience includes a Medical Consultant Transitioning into their first Consultant role in a male dominated arena, a national leader managing credibility and confidence stepping into a national role and a colleague to navigate a perceived glass ceiling and securing a promotion.

Coaching Style

Andrea’s style is person centred, involves creating a psychologically safe space, trust and respect and a partnership approach to coaching. The client will experience constructive challenge, exploration of self-limiting beliefs, use of silence creating time to think and reflect. A non-judgmental approach, genuine interest and kindness & compassion. The use of models and tools as needed.

Introduction

As a senior business leader, Ann-Kathrin has amassed over 17 years of experience from multiple industries and boasts an impressive set of skills including commercial strategy, business development, financial planning and analysis, and marketing.

Throughout her career she has also developed specialised expertise working with global corporations and working cross-culturally between markets such as the Americas and Europe.

The successes in different functions, across these markets and industries have highlighted the uses and benefits executive coaching has had on Ann-Kathrin’s own progression.

Coaching Approach

She believes that coaching not only can be effective when it comes to career changes or roadblocks, but also when it comes to challenging conversations and having to make difficult decisions at work. Being a sounding board for her coachees, Ann-Kathrin helps her clients get to the answers by asking incisive and challenging questions. She believes in the importance for her clients to take responsibility for themselves and to challenge self-limiting beliefs that holds them back. She creates action plans with her clients to help them move forward and see significant improvements in the areas they want to take to the next level.

Ann-Kathrin believes that everyone is capable of reaching their full potential by using the processes and development that comes with executive coaching.

Introduction

Hello, I'm Helen Rimmer, your dedicated Kindness and Wellbeing Coach. With a rich background extending over twenty years in senior leadership roles within libraries and higher education, I've cultivated a profound understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in these sectors. My passion lies in transforming the workplace into a haven of kindness and wellbeing, where every individual can thrive.

Coaching Approach

My coaching style is deeply rooted in positive psychology and a strengths-based approach, underpinned by my certification as a Strengthscope Master. I believe in the power of positivity and the transformative impact of recognising and leveraging individual strengths. My sessions are playful, warm, and heart-centred, creating a nurturing environment where kindness is paramount. This approach not only fosters self-belief but also ensures that our journey together is tailored to your unique needs, particularly if you're navigating the complexities of higher education.

Professional Focus

• Enhanced Wellbeing: Offering guidance and support to navigate personal and professional wellbeing, ensuring individuals feel balanced and fulfilled.
• Leadership Development: Focusing on empowering individuals in leadership roles to cultivate positive, impactful leadership styles that foster kindness and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Career Progression: Assisting those seeking to advance their careers with a keen focus on aligning personal values with professional aspirations.
• Positive Workplace Culture: Dedicated to creating and nurturing a workplace environment where kindness, wellbeing, and positivity are at the forefront.
• Women in Transition: Providing specialised support for women navigating significant life or career transitions, helping them to embrace change positively and confidently.
• Team Coaching: Facilitating team development sessions that enhance cohesion, communication, and collective strengths, with a systemic approach to team dynamics.
• Strengths-Based Development: Utilising my certification as a Strengthscope Master to help individuals and teams identify and leverage their unique strengths for personal and professional growth.

I'm here to help you navigate the intricacies of your environment, encouraging you to thrive by discovering the strength and answers that lie within you.

Introduction

Ian has been coaching at various levels for some 25 years. His particular focus is coaching ‘at the crossroads’, working with those:

• Stepping (up) into new roles
• Questioning their current direction

Industry Experience

Ian has some 25 years’ coaching experience as both an internal and external coach. He has coached in large organisations in both the private and public sectors at senior and executive level. Recent engagements have included working with a Managing Director using the forced downtime of the pandemic to rethink the next stage of their career; a newly appointed executive trying to find their feet within an existing leadership team; and a senior subject matter expert trying to find the best fit for their skills and aspirations.

Coaching style

Ian seeks to create and maintain a relaxed, safe and confidential coaching environment for each client. As a client, you will find working with Ian:

• Person-centred – all about what you need to develop your narrative
• Supportive, but you will work hard
• Based in the present, but recognising the impact of past and future thinking on actions and outcomes
• Involves working pragmatically with tools and models that help you expose, explore and evolve the things that matter to you
• Encourages you to explore ideas from different angles, to find the way forward that makes the best sense for you
• Includes time for humour!