Testimonials

A selection of testimonials from satisfied coaching clients

Thanks for your coaching, Hilary, which has been an inspiration! You seem to have a very special way of listening, often helping me to see things in a new way and always helping me feel safe to explore scary topics! I particularly appreciated your warmth and sense of humour, which combines so well with your occasional, well-judged challenge to help shift my habits of thought. You really have helped me to move a long way very quickly at a difficult time – thanks.

Dr A S, Consultant, London

Many thanks again for your time and work over the last few months – I have found it very useful and ‘nourishing’.

JD, Headteacher, Hertfordshire

Throughout the coaching I received from Hilary, I found her to be professional, her questioning insightful, and she always worked to my agenda. I would not hesitate in recommending Hilary as a professional coach.

JY, Web Developer, London

This process (coaching) is helping me realise that I can change things for the better. I had got very stuck. I think I’d been trying too hard to be everything to everyone.

MR, Headteacher, Norfolk

Working with Hilary has been an eye opening experience. She has helped me instigate some major changes, which will have lifelong repercussions.

Her manner is calm and supportive whilst at the same time forward moving and promoting growth and progress. I cannot recommend her coaching services enough and am very grateful for all she has done for me. Thank you Hilary.

JK, Entrepreneur, London

Hilary coached me on a number of very different topics. I really appreciated her flexible style which supported me in thinking through these diverse issues. She was supportive and non judgemental enabling me to feel comfortable in exploring totally freely. Hilary’s powerful questions enabled me to think deeply and find insights that helped me make progress, and to create a compelling and rounded vision for my business which will provide me with motivation and guidance for the next few years.

NM, Freelance HR Consultant, London

Hilary was warm and compassionate and I felt she really empathised with me and my situations. On occasion she pushed me out of my comfort zone, which was actually very beneficial and forced me to discuss some of the more uncomfortable issues.

SH, HR Business Partner, London

I have developed clarity of thought in what I am looking for in my next role and what I can provide to a new employer.

KD, Head of Human Resources, London

What I liked best about coaching was the sense that I was focusing attention on myself without feeling self-indulgent or self-pity. Instead, through coaching, I was able to focus on finding out what my strengths are and identify areas not only where I want to improve but also how to improve. I found the experience very rewarding.

My coaching came at a time of great change at my organisation and I believe it helped me by giving me the mindset, outlook and strength to get through the challenging times. I feel more empowered to take control of my career.

Coaching has given me the ability to understand and accept who I am and believe in the places I would like to go.

If you want to change, improve or excel in you work then you should consider working with Hilary.

Adrian, Head of Communications, Cambridge

I cannot tell you how useful this mentoring experience has been for me… I have developed a new technique based upon the experience- I call it having a ‘Hilary moment’. When I know I am procrastinating or not being very focused I often ask myself what you would say or ask me at that point. It helps me structure my thinking and analyse what’s really going on.

LF, Head of Human Resources, Cambridge

That was another brilliant coaching session, Hilary. Your coaching has been absolutely priceless.

As a result of our conversations…. I’ve noticed a big change in my attitude and I’m a lot more confident.

ZR, graduate jobsearcher, London

What Hilary is offering is truly exceptional. I have worked with many coaches, professionals, teachers, leaders and students and nothing has transformed my life journey quite like my coaching experience with Hilary. She will listen carefully, ask open questions and let you talk. She will assist you in making plans to help you realise your dreams and will support you in whatever way you like through what may be a fairly difficult transitional process of change.

It was Hilary I turned to for a last minute conversation when I had to make a decision about resigning from a job. She helped me see that, at that time, the decision was not correct – this gave me the confidence to hand in my resignation letter a few months later when I felt that the time was right. She has become a close friend, guide and support and has held my hand (when necessary) through the most radical period of change I have ever experienced. I’m extremely grateful for the work she has helped me make manifest in the world.

Chris, Educator, London

Hilary has provided some invaluable advice and support when I was in between jobs and not clear on where I wanted to go in my career. Hilary offered sound professional advice on my career path and ways to improve my CV in order to communicate key competencies to potential employers.

It has been a pleasure working with Hilary who was personable but paid attention to detail, focusing on my specific career goals. I have now secured my ideal job and feel confident about my future career.

SB, Travel Consultant, Manchester

I wouldn’t have got this job if it were not for you and the work we’ve done together.

Thank you for all your support, help, time, models, suggestions, books, resources and more. I would certainly not be where I am had I not been able to benefit from your expert coaching.

NA, Head of Department, London

I have become more motivated, become better at setting goals at work and for my future and understand my strengths and weaknesses better. I am now much more positive about my current workplace and future career moves.

RJ, Executive Assistant, London

Hilary was a calm, strong coach. She helped me to feel confident enough to take the next steps, and recognise my abilities. She was particularly brilliant at keeping me grounded and realistic (as opposed to my trend of being flighty and self critical at the time).

I created a personal profile of which I was proud (after years of attempting to do this!), and sent it out to dozens of prospective clients. I quickly landed £20k worth of contracts.

I received constant, gentle challenge plus unfailing support and belief in me.

Melissa Mehta, Coach, Stafford

The benefits for me were massive. I get things done and am much more efficient as a person. I actually have a chance of achieving my dream. There is someone who believes in me and helps motivate me.

It’s been an amazing relationship, an amazing time doing so much wonderful work with you

GB, singer/songwriter, London

I applied for a role which I knew would be very competitive with hundreds of applicants and only 3 posts. I turned to Hilary for her expert advice and the guidance she gave me throughout the recruitment process was invaluable; from how to better structure answers on the application form, to improving my confidence at interview. The practice interview sessions were extremely beneficial and allowed me to understand what points I wanted to get across and how to do so. The insight Hilary has into recruitment and HR, combined with how she is able to impart her knowledge, no doubt helped me to secure my dream job. I’m 3 months in and couldn’t be happier. Thank you Hilary.

NS, Civil Servant, London

Last year I was interviewed for two jobs in quick succession, which would lead me down quite different career paths. Hilary’s support was invaluable throughout the process. Before one of the interviews at a consultancy firm she spent time with me not only developing my answers to interview questions, but helping me understand the purpose and nature of the questions themselves. Understanding why I was expected to carry out a group exercise allowed me to perfect the skills that the interviewers wanted to see.

The toughest moment was when I had to decide whether I was going back for the final round of interviews at the consultancy firm. Having already secured a leadership job in one organisation, I then had to consider very carefully what I wanted to do. Hilary’s advice and wisdom was superb. She told me to make a decision based on what I wanted not on how flattered I felt by being asked back. This ‘pearl’ of wisdom gave me immediate clarity on what was otherwise a tough decision. I went with the leadership position and, whilst I find it a challenging role, I have not once thought that it is the wrong role to have undertaken. Thank you Hilary.

ML, Teacher, London

Hilary was easy to work with. She challenged me, gave me open, honest feedback and was always positive.

As a result of our work together I have increased confidence, am more grounded, have a better understanding of the interview process, the practical preparation I need to do, clarity about what I really want from a job and the importance of my values matching that of the target organisation. The interview practice was most beneficial, as was thinking through what the organisation would be looking for, whilst remaining open-minded and relaxed to the responses to questions I did not prepare for.

We used Skype for our conversations and that worked well. Just like a boy scout it is best to be prepared before the job hunting process begins!

PT, Newcastle

Hilary provided me with a safe supportive space in which to explore how to move forwards. Her incisive questions and genuine curiosity helped me to transform my motivations at a deep level, so taking on changes in my life, which have made a huge positive difference. I deeply appreciate Hilary’s care and professionalism.

CH, Coach & Consultant, London

I found the course of bespoke coaching sessions delivered by Hilary invaluable whilst setting up my new business. She offered guidance, but never told me ‘what to do’ and helped facilitate/ encouraged me to think ideas through thoroughly rather than jumping in. Her approach is very supportive and motivating. She is also very organised and reliable! Thank you Hilary!

ET, Personal Trainer, Cambridge

And (unsolicited) from her husband….

Thank you also for all your support of E over the last 12 months. She has achieved so much in that time, pursuing her passion and fulfilling her ambitions. I’m very proud of her!

I know how much she has valued your support and you have been such a positive influence and contributor to the successful transition she has made.

At a stressful and challenging time in my career, I found Hilary’s support absolutely invaluable. It seems that coaching is an area that is misunderstood and undervalued. Previously, I had thought of it as seeming out of reach financially or intimidating in the sense that of admitting some sort of weakness in seeking assistance to solve problems I felt I should be able to deal with alone. However, the sessions I had with Hilary helped me work through a myriad of work-based issues that previously I had simply accepted as inherent challenges of the job.

As a teacher, I think coaching is particularly valuable since we are pulled in so many different directions and have little time to truly reflect on ways to make the job a more sustainable choice or feel it is easier to brush workplace conflicts under the carpet rather than actively resolve them. I highly recommend coaching – it has helped me to re-build my self-confidence and to take charge of my situation to move into a role where I feel much happier and much more valued as a professional.

FT, Teacher, London

Working with Hilary has bought incredible benefits to my life, which I couldn’t have envisioned before starting. Through coaching I have seen my goals become reality and my personal growth skyrocket. I’m happier, more confident, focused and self-assured than I ever have been. And, I can honestly say I couldn’t have reached where I am in life without the support coaching has provided.

I first came to coaching when I hit a crossroads in my life. I wanted to make some decisions in my personal and professional life and I felt lost with the choices. I didn’t love my job and I wanted to move to Berlin from London. I also had a lot of advice from people in my life who meant well, but in reality made it more difficult for me understand what I wanted. Even if I had known what I wanted I was then afraid of the steps I would have to take as I could only think about the difficulties and challenges and not the rewards.

In only working for three hours with Hilary I had full clarity on my next steps. I concretely knew when I would leave my job, when I would move to Berlin and what I would do for the first few months I was there. I was less focused on the fears of the unknown and was looking forward to all the exciting experiences that were coming my way.

This short session gave me the confidence, energy and drive to make a huge change in my life that I wanted to make and which I was putting off or making excuses for.

From Berlin I worked with Hilary for a year as I wanted help in finding a job which I look forward to going to and could grow in and build up my confidence in new situations and decision-making. I knew the outcomes I wanted and the aspects of myself I wanted to improve, but I also knew I needed support getting there. Doing the same things I had always done and expecting different outcomes was pointless, I knew I needed help to change.

Standing on the other side, I can proudly say I have found a job in Berlin which I love going to. I have invested in my professional development and am building the skills and knowledge I want. I have more confidence in myself than I could have imagined. My confidence has developed so much that I am putting myself forward for roles at my current company which I couldn’t even imagine doing. Ones which I would always imagine “somebody else” would do. I am faster and more confident with decision making because I am more focused on the potential benefits and less concerned about the uncertainty or fears which hinder the process.

The best part about coaching is having the space to reflect on your life and the support and encouragement to move beyond your comfort zone. It is on the edge of comfort that I have found creativity, new ideas, open-minded thinking, excitement and confidence.

What I also love about coaching is having after each session an action plan that will take me closer to the things I want and the goals I want to achieve. The practical steps give me a roadmap to follow and also milestones to celebrate along the way.

One of my biggest learnings has been how my own thinking holds me back and how I need to challenge my own assumptions which may not necessarily be true. I was putting my own limit on what is possible, when I remove that limit it’s amazing to see what is available to me and the real potential I can achieve.

Before coaching I felt lost, travelling without a direction. Since working with Hilary I feel happier, confident and know that I’m the path I want to be on.

In one year of coaching I have achieved 95% of the goals I set myself a year before. Results I have achieved through coaching:

greater confidence in when making difficult decisions

less fear of uncertainty

a new job which I love

stronger self belief

a clear understanding of my strengths

a more positive mindset

a growth mindset

confidence in new and unfamiliar situations

the boldness to carve my own path in a situation or life in general

For someone considering coaching with Hilary, just get on it and do it. Be open, be honest and be willing to change. Bring yourself fully to each session and be amazed at the transformation you feel afterwards.

PP, Business Development Manager, Berlin

I approached Hilary when I was conscious that having had a robust 5 year career plan, I’d achieved it and got to where I wanted to be and was pondering “what next?”. At the time with the difficulties and complex issues I was facing at work I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to make the next step seeing it as more unnecessary hard work. Working with Hilary, by stripping back the difficulties at work to the bare bones and reframing them through the use of helpful tools and techniques, I have not only developed a new career plan but also a renewed energy and passion for what I do. This has been noted by my team, my manager, my peers and my family.

Hilary encourages good habits, which I don’t always stick to, but she consistently encourages not only at your own pace but the pace she believes you can adopt. She is there to develop the internal narrative and take learning from mistakes and what hasn’t worked so well, working with you to put it into context.

I feel a better version of myself. I feel more confident and articulate and there are more good days than bad days, coaching helps me take the good and the learning from the bad days.

I have had 3 promotions and my salary has grown by more than a third! I’ve set goals but these have been consistently exceeded.

I am a strong advocate of coaching and of Hilary who tailors things to you and isn’t going through the motions or a set format as other coaches I’ve come across. Be prepared for a mental workout once a month, it is rewarding but exhausting and the work doesn’t stop and start at each session. The session is there to recap on the hard work throughout the month and prep for the next month, do this and you will see the results!

Lucy, HR Business Partner, Cambridge

After working with Hilary for six months, I can’t recommend her mentoring and coaching services enough.

At a really difficult period of my career, she helped me to stay focussed on my goals and achieve the best results. She was challenging, supportive and knowledgeable in equal measure. Hilary provided practical advice and tools without pursuing any agenda other than to help me achieve the best results.

Megan Poole, Events & Media Manager, London

All our interview training was really useful – I ended up feeling a lot less nervous …. I also put lots of the things we did into practice. I decided that I was tired of being nervous about whether or when to disclose my conditions, and decided just to go for it – we had to do a 5-minute presentation on our ‘unique selling point’ and I made mine my mental illnesses, talking about how they make me more resilient and empathetic. I’d certainly never have had the confidence to do anything like that before! They seemed to like it anyway as they gave me the job.

Many thanks for all of your help over the year. As you can see it really made a difference.

MB, Teacher, Cambridge

When I first met Hilary I was very confused about where I wanted my career to go. I didn’t know if I should try and progress my career within the more lucrative yet ‘duller’ side of the industry that I was currently working in, or if to pursue a job in an area that is notoriously highly competitive yet arguably much more exciting. Talking it through with Hilary helped me realise that my passion lay with the latter, and she coached me through the process of job searching and interviewing. I’m now in my dream job and Hilary is helping me plan my next steps.

It’s great to talk through career decisions with someone objective who has years of HR and coaching experience. I previously would have relied on friends or family who have been great, but they don’t necessarily know the right questions to ask to help me untangle a messy work problem.

From working with Hilary I feel more in control of my career, more confident facing challenging situations at work. For example, when my manager was made redundant I felt confident going into difficult HR meetings because I had already talked through the situation with Hilary, so I knew the questions I wanted to ask and the outcomes I needed to fight for.

I’ve worked with Hilary for three years now and she’s been a great support. If you want to achieve certain goals and get the most out of your career then I recommend working with Hilary.

Louise Harrison, Publishing, London

I would absolutely recommend Hilary and her services. I approached Hilary to help me get back up to date in job applications and interview skills, after a number of years focusing on my family. Hilary not only did this but somehow quietly encouraged me to have more belief in myself personally as well as professionally.

Hilary was very informative and thought-provoking in our sessions. Hilary’s coaching was targeted and focused on the task at hand.

I thought we would have quite a bit of work to do in order to reach my target, but this was extremely quickly achieved.

Without any hesitation, this was money very well spent. Without Hilary’s coaching I don’t feel I would have achieved what I have and I feel very excited about what lies ahead.

Catherine, PA, Hertford

Coaching has been the most helpful CPD opportunity I have experienced. It’s personal, tailored and empowering.

Over the last five years coaching has helped me develop my career in the direction I wanted it to move forwards in. It has given me the confidence to apply for roles which I believe would ‘play’ to my strengths (identified through coaching) which I may have dismissed as ‘too above my league’.

Coaching has encouraged me to better understand and manage the emotions of those who work in my organisation as well as my own so that I can carry out my existing roles as effectively as possible. Such tailored support and advice is unparalleled.

This is the impact coaching has had on me and my career:

An impartial, experienced and encouraging voice from outside of my current organisation

An excellent, long standing relationship with my coach. Hilary knows when I need support or need to be challenged. It’s totally confidential and honest.

A set period of time to reflect on your own practice and develop your own solutions

Empowering – you come to solutions which are a skillful way of employing your own strengths

Tailored support and advice depending on my needs (as opposed to a leadership programme which addresses issues which may be irrelevant at the time)

An opportunity to rehearse difficult conversations & interview questions

An alternative and experienced perspective on issues that may arise.

And these are the benefits I have gained from coaching:

A successful career. Since working with my coach I have been successful in each interview application I have submitted

A better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses and the strengths and weaknesses of others

What makes the coaching relationship work for me is

Trust. To know that someone has full confidence in your own ability to be successful is incredibly motivating and allows for honest and productive conversations.

Spark. Hilary and I often refer to it as ‘chemistry’. I think liking each other as individuals has really enhanced our working relationship.

Experience. Working with somebody who has had experience in a senior leadership role in a different organisation is reassuring and insightful.

Holistic. Often issues beyond work can affect your experience at work. Having the opportunity to discuss life outside of work as well as work allows for a more open and transparent relationship.

Mia Lloyd, Assistant Head Teacher and Teach First Ambassador, London

Testimonials

A selection of testimonials from satisfied coaching clients

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