After a rewarding career in the legal profession, I now work as a coach supporting professionals - particularly lawyers - through the complex challenges that arise in their careers and high pressure workplaces.

As an employment lawyer at Farrer & Co (and before that, Simmons & Simmons), I worked closely with individuals navigating sensitive workplace issues - from career transitions and internal conflict to diversity concerns and stress management. Clients often sought added value and empathy; an adviser who could look under the bonnet and appreciate the human dimension behind the legal issue. My style was always grounded in working with emotional intelligence, reading the runes, and giving practical insight. In my own team it was about inspiring, and helping individuals to thrive.

During my time at Farrer & Co, I held senior management roles, including a seat on the Management Board with responsibility for people-related matters. I also mentored and coached lawyers across the firm - a passion that naturally evolved into my current coaching practice.

Today, I work with lawyers and other professionals on a range of areas including:

• Career management, both for partners, and those aspiring to partnership;
• Landing well in new roles;
• Interpersonal relationships at work, including team dynamics;
• Diversity, bullying and harassment issues;
• Managing stress, time and competing priorities;
• Developing business strategy and self-confidence.

Outside of work, I help my wife, Tessa, with our eight energetic grandchildren and two even more energetic dogs. I’m a keen amateur pianist, a founding member of a history book club, and an unapologetic Newcastle United supporter.

Recent reads include The Peacemakers by Margaret Macmillan (a masterclass in diplomacy, post-war politics, personalities and compromise), and Jack Straw’s The English Job - a timely reflection on our relationship with Iran, and living with the consequences of Britain's historic influence across the globe. I find history, like coaching, offers a useful lens through which to understand human motivation, power structures, and change.