More about me

Hi, I’m Dr. Claire Handby.

I’m an executive coach, a mentor, and someone who’s spent over 25 years walking alongside leaders as they navigate change, growth, and the occasional identity crisis that comes with both.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend much of my career in the thick of it – 15 years in Big 4 consulting (EY, Deloitte, and KPMG), plus 10 years before that inside large infrastructure organisations. I’ve helped lead the kind of major transformations that involve complicated stakeholders, tight deadlines, ambitious KPIs, and just a touch of chaos.

Now I work directly with senior leaders who are dealing with everything from organisational overhauls to “what next?” moments. You might be stepping into a bigger role, plotting an exit, leading a tricky change programme, or trying to get your board to focus on something other than the next fire. Wherever you are, I bring structure, perspective, and a calm, practical presence to help you cut through the noise and lead with more clarity, confidence and (dare I say it?) sanity.

I’m not here to tell you what to do – you’ve got enough people doing that already. I’m here to help you think better, ask sharper questions, and reconnect with what actually matters to you and your leadership.

I’m an international accredited executive coach with EMCC, an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) level with ICF and Diploma Practitioner Level with AoEC. Visiting Professor at the University of Salford, and was honoured with a Doctorate in Business Administration for my contribution to leadership and industry.

If you’re looking for a coach who gets the pressures of leading in complex environments, speaks plain English, and won’t raise an eyebrow when you say “I’m not sure I want to do this anymore,” then we should talk.

 

book a discovery call

 

Let’s have a chat to get started

Why work with me?

Working with me means you’ll gain:

Clarity in Complexity

I help you cut through the noise to make confident, strategic decisions.

Trusted Support

I offer discreet, confidential coaching grounded in integrity and real-world experience.

Leadership That Lasts

Together, we build authentic presence and long-term resilience.

Actionable Insight

I draw on proven methods that work in demanding, complex environments.

Tangible Growth

Whether you’re scaling, pivoting, or preparing for what’s next, I help you move forward with purpose.

I’ve supported clients across media (BBC), healthcare (NHS), insurance (Munich Re), infrastructure, and beyond. My coaching offers a blend of structure, challenge, and compassion to help you lead with clarity and confidence on your terms.

 

book a discovery call

Testimonials

“ Claire was my Mentor Coach whilst on an aspiring leadership programme. Claire provided excellent space, advice, and insight for me to think through and consider my future career path. Claire provided guidance I never would have thought of without her support. ”

Vice Principal – Further Education College

“ Claire is a true role model in her impressive career trajectory, and I felt completely at ease expressing myself and discussing the challenges I encountered in my career. I'm grateful for Claire's guidance in helping me reframe my thoughts and approach situations with greater positivity, all while acknowledging the realities and issues at hand. ”

Emad Edel – Construction Leader, Middle East

“ I was receiving feedback that I needed to define my promotion pathway, struggling to find the route and secure specific sponsorship within the practice. Claire listened, with a clear understanding of how the system works having been part of this environment for many years and she directly enabled me to think through, with specific questioning, in a confidential environment, how to use my own resources and influence, so I could create an achievable ‘promotion’ sponsored roadmap. ”

Manager – Big4

“ I was approaching a significant milestone in my life and the organisation that I work for were undertaking a large reorganisation. Through Claire’s coaching, I was able to untangle the many hurdles that I was facing, build an action plan and see a clear way ahead to reach my goals. Claire has an exceptional approach with matching communication skills. I cannot recommend her highly enough. ”

Mark Smith – IT Transformation, Red Cross

“ Claire is a great listener who quickly understood my position. She really helped me to understand the positives of the work I have been doing and helped me lift my head above the day-to-day business issues. ”

Kirsty Rose Parker – Business Owner, The Evaluator

“ Feeling anxious and daunted about how I would make everything work in preparing to transition back into the company after 9 months of maternity leave. Claire could relate to my circumstances having trodden this path previously. Claire crossed the river of doubt and fear with me, allowing me time for the many stepping stones of consideration to transpire, I was able to make the transition of integrating my work with my family. Claire has a very caring nature, and I could clearly feel she was rooting for me. ”

Senior Manager – Big4

“ Grappling with whether to remain in the corporate environment or transition to something completely different. There was a burning need to keep challenging myself, whilst recognising the environment just wasn’t giving me the right type of challenge. Claire provided the safe space to consider all the opportunities and risks I was facing in defining my next steps. Claire had an excellent impact on me, allowing me time to process my journey to date, with direct questions to help me create my new future, I felt I was sharper, clearer and more focused on my actions. ”

Director – Big4

“ I thoroughly enjoyed my sessions with Claire. She got me to really think outside the box and challenged me in a positive manner. Claire gave plenty of direction, without giving the answers. I came away from the sessions feeling motivated and energised to improve my leadership skills. ”

Ceri Dixon – PM+M

“ Claire’s pragmatic approach and common-sense reflections were a huge benefit to me as we discussed my aspirations for the next stage of my career and my need to balance my work and priorities. Claire’s positivity, good humour and constructive insights meant that our conversations helped me to focus on what is important to me. Claire’s relentless drive to find the best in any situation is truly inspirational and I am glad to have worked with her. ”

Janet Greenwood – Director, KPMG

“ Claire provided me with one-to-one exec coaching and offered fascinating insight into how to navigate working in Big 4 Consulting. I often reference back to our discussions and cite Claire’s advice as instrumental in helping me achieve an important promotion within my career. ”

Associate Director / Senior Manager – KPMG

“ It has been insightful to work with Claire as a mentor as part of a career progression program, whereby she has provided two sessions that have helped me reflect on what I have achieved so far and where I want to be in 5 years. Whilst also providing helpful day-to-day changes and shorter goals to feel the impact of achieving those sooner, but also knowing that the 5-year goal is adaptable to where you feel you are heading. I look forward to working with Claire again in the future as my career progresses and more guidance is needed. ”

Jade Moody – Wolfenden Concrete

“ Claire provided excellent space, advice and insight for me to think through and consider my future career path. She provided guidance I never would have thought of without her support. ”

Vice Principal – Further Education College

“ I was approaching a significant life milestone, and the company I worked for was undergoing a reorganisation. Through Claire's coaching, I was able to untangle the many hurdles that I was facing, build an action plan, and see a clear way to reach my goals. I can't recommend her highly enough. ”

Senior Leader – IT Transformation

“ Claire listened, understood me, and made me feel completely human in what I was experiencing. She reassured me, and her ability to give affirmations in the moment is brilliant! Seriously — you have changed my life by walking side by side with me. ”

Director – Big 4

“ Claire crossed the river of doubt and fear with me, allowing me time for the many stepping stones of consideration that transpired, and I was able to make the transition. Claire has a very caring nature, and I could clearly feel she was rooting for me. ”

Partner – Big 4

“ Claire listened with a clear understanding of how the system works, having been part of this environment for many years. Through specific questioning in a confidential environment, she allowed me to map out how to use my own re- sources and influence to create a roadmap to promotion. ”

Manager – Big 4

Let’s start with a conversation.

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