CDP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of CDP Impact Abi Donald
- Management Coach
Abi Donald is an experienced management coach, recently serving as Head of Coaching for the narrative agency Bladonmore. She has 25 years' experience in broadcast journalism, reaching the top of her profession through Reuters TV, ITN and ITV News. She has been the programme editor of News at Ten and the deputy editor of ITV's flagship breakfast programme. While working in broadcast she coached and trained presenters, correspondents and reporters to deliver compelling content with credibility and authority.
As a management coach Abi has helped senior executives enhance their executive presence and deliver their agenda with confidence and clarity, preparing them for media interviews, presentations or key pitches. Abi specialises in designing and delivering engaging and challenging training programmes. She is an accomplished storyteller with a natural ear for language allied to a common-sense approach to the performance skills of body language and voice control.
"There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a smart, interesting person fail to do themselves justice in public forums and there is nothing more rewarding than helping that person communicate effectively and be the best version of themselves. I've spent 30 years reporting people's stories and helping executives tell their stories and that experience combined with intuition, empathy and passion forges long lasting relationships with my clients."
Abi Donald Director of CDP Impact Abi Donald is an experienced management coach, recently serving as Head of Coaching for the narrative agency Bladonmore. She has 25 years' experience in broadcast journalism, reaching the top of her profession through Reuters TV, ITN and ITV News. She has been the programme editor of News at Ten and the deputy […]
Andy is an experienced HR Leader, Team Facilitator and Consultant with a track record of working with leaders to achieve the transformational change necessary to deliver growth, high employee engagement and improved customer experience. A successful leader of large, international and matrix teams across a wide range of sectors including telecommunications, transport and financial services, Andy has worked for world class organisations such as Virgin Atlantic and BT. Andy has demonstrated his ability to secure Board-level backing, lead complex change and deliver sustainable results in a range of executive roles. With a Masters in Organisation Development, Andy is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
‘I am passionate about helping people grow their business. The ability to execute a business strategy invariably needs a fresh perspective on organisation, processes and people to ensure focus, alignment and energy. My role is to help leaders create the deep insight, ideas and new perspectives to achieve the transformational thinking necessary to grow and make the change happen.'
Andy Cross Andy is an experienced HR Leader, Team Facilitator and Consultant with a track record of working with leaders to achieve the transformational change necessary to deliver growth, high employee engagement and improved customer experience. A successful leader of large, international and matrix teams across a wide range of sectors including telecommunications, transport and […]
Job Titles:
- Business Psychologist
- Business Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Coach
Anthony is a business psychologist and cognitive behavioural coach with 20 years' experience as a senior executive in marketing. In his previous career he led marketing departments for a number of organisations across film and music at the sharp end of the digital revolution. This enabled him him to hone his leadership skills and develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges leaders face in highly turbulent, fast-moving environments. By leading, managing and delivering change he has developed essential insights into the psychological impact of change both individually and collectively. As a psychologist at Mind Gym, a Director at JAM, (a specialist change consultancy) and his associate work, Anthony has created and delivered a range of development solutions for market leaders in multiple sectors.
Anthony McGee Anthony is a business psychologist and cognitive behavioural coach with 20 years' experience as a senior executive in marketing. In his previous career he led marketing departments for a number of organisations across film and music at the sharp end of the digital revolution. This enabled him him to hone his leadership skills […]
Brett Putter Brett is a thought leader operating at the leading edge of business culture. He is the founder & CEO of CultureGene a company culture consultancy helping high-growth technology companies prepare for scale. Prior to founding CultureGene Brett spent 16 years as the Managing Partner of a leading executive search firm where he successfully
Job Titles:
- Dean
- Leader and Coach With 10 Years' Experience Working for Sport 's National Governing Bodies
Dean Leak Dean is a transformational leader and coach with 10 years' experience working for Sport's National Governing Bodies to support Gold medal winning Olympic and Paralympic athletes. His career started working on the frontline with athletes and coaches as a mental skills coach, helping athletes develop psychological strategies to deliver elite performance success under
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Executive
- Leadership Consultant, Business
Derek has worked as a leadership consultant, business psychologist and executive coach for over twelve years. The last five of these were at YSC where he was head of business development for the UK and Europe. He has assessed and developed senior businesspeople in around twenty FTSE 100 and many Fortune 500 companies and in some of the largest privately-held companies in the world. As well as working in the UK he has worked with businesses in the Nordics, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Africa. Although he coaches high-potentials at all levels, his speciality is working with senior executives - business unit leaders, C-suite functional leaders and CEOs. He also helps private equity firms develop their partners and choose the right CEOs for their businesses. As well as working with individuals he runs team development days and consults on an organisation's leadership strategy, values and culture.
"I enjoy general consulting, coaching and running team days but my passion is for in-depth, developmentally-orientated assessment. Helping someone figure out how they can be better - and happier - at work is fascinating and fulfilling. A lot of what I believe is baked into the CDP approach but essentially I think that with increased self-awareness, attuned support and some hard work people, teams and whole organisations can change in radical ways and achieve great things. It's an honour to help them do that."
Derek Draper Derek has worked as a leadership consultant, business psychologist and executive coach for over twelve years. The last five of these were at YSC where he was head of business development for the UK and Europe. He has assessed and developed senior businesspeople in around twenty FTSE 100 and many Fortune 500 companies […]
Susan works as a coach, consultant, mediator and an observer of working life. She has a particular interest in the behavior of people at work and below the surface dynamics in organisations. As a mediator she is skilled in improving working relationships and developing common understanding between parties in toxic relationships. In addition to her private clients she works as a lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, teaching coaching and organisational psychology. She is a faculty member at the School of Life, working with businesses to develop their emotional intelligence. She also works as a group relations consultant, including equine coaching. Her research interests embrace leadership, change and vulnerability at work. Her book, Death & the City, published by Karnac, uses psychoanalysis to explore organisational endings.
"Organisations and the behavior of individuals and groups at work fascinate me. I believe in observation and deep listening as tools to identify both the potential and the fragility of leaders and managers, no matter what their status. I work in a gentle yet challenging way to help individuals and organisations work more productively and more thoughtfully."
Dr Susan Kahn Susan works as a coach, consultant, mediator and an observer of working life. She has a particular interest in the behavior of people at work and below the surface dynamics in organisations. As a mediator she is skilled in improving working relationships and developing common understanding between parties in toxic relationships. In […]
Elloa is a facilitator, coach and consultant with a decade's experience in various business settings including corporate, start-up and self-employment. She utilises her extensive coaching, therapeutic facilitation and teaching experience when working with individuals and groups, blending various psychological, systemic and psychodynamic theories and approaches to support individuals and teams to perform at their peak and create both impact and transformation. She is a dynamic and challenging facilitator who coaches with directness and compassion, creating a space where integrity, reflection and personal accountability are prioritised. Elloa continues to deepen her qualifications and 2019 is undertaking additional Masters level research in consulting and leading in organisations.
Over the past 20 years, Gerard has developed expertise in the assessment, development and coaching of executives. He has worked across most sectors of business with the top management of multinational corporations: with individuals, with teams and at board level. His group work covers a range from leadership workshops and learning events to facilitating the exploration of team dynamics, conflict management, and strategy development. This experience has extended across many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. Gerard is a native English speaker but also speaks fluent French and Spanish.
"I enjoy partnering with clients in a journey in which we share responsibility for a process of transformation with the client retaining full responsibility for the outcome. My coaching is about asking the right questions at the right time, in the context of a trusting, challenging relationship. I am empathic in that I always try to understand the feelings and viewpoints of clients. However, respecting people means being honest with them even, if sometimes that means challenging their certainties and giving uncomfortable feedback. I have learnt to do the latter with sensitivity, gauging the delivery to the individual, balancing the level of challenge with the need to ensure that it is not counter-productive. As far as possible, I apply the same principles in individual assessments and leadership consultancy although, in these, I contribute more of my own experience, expertise and judgement."
Gerard de la Garde Over the past 20 years, Gerard has developed expertise in the assessment, development and coaching of executives. He has worked across most sectors of business with the top management of multinational corporations: with individuals, with teams and at board level. His group work covers a range from leadership workshops and learning […]
Hugo is a chartered business psychologist with nearly 30 years' experience working with senior teams and individuals, challenging and supporting them to create and maintain long-term, sustainable businesses around explicit business and cultural imperatives. He works with Boards and other senior leadership teams and with individual executives and is known for his open, challenging, business-focused consulting style. His views on transformational leadership have been widely reported in The Financial Times, The Guardian, Best Execution, The Psychologist and numerous books on leadership. He is an Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society and a Foundation Member of the Association for Business Psychology. He was the Winner of the ABP Award for Excellence in Coaching & Training 2014.
"My principal client is the organisation. I am most concerned about and focused on the success of the whole organisational system; my work with senior executives and, more commonly, senior teams, is to help them to understand the impact on their behaviour on both the business and cultural imperatives they hold responsibility for. Business Psychology is not a "nice to have", it is the discipline best placed to highlight and encourage the executive behaviours that lead to business success".
Hugo Pound Hugo is a chartered business psychologist with nearly 30 years' experience working with senior teams and individuals, challenging and supporting them to create and maintain long-term, sustainable businesses around explicit business and cultural imperatives. He works with Boards and other senior leadership teams and with individual executives and is known for his open, […]
Job Titles:
- Orla Coughlan Country Director
Join over 9000 people who enjoy reading my weekly bulletin summarising the best content for business and HR leaders that I've curated over the last 7 days.
James Farndon James has an established background in people development and sustaining performance at the highest level. Having initially qualified as a PE Teacher, James successfully attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment where he led troops on operational tours of the Middle East and Northern Ireland. After serving […]
James Robinson trained as a journalist and worked in newspapers for 20 years, including a decade as media editor at the Observer and the Guardian, where he played a key role in the paper's award-winning coverage of the phone-hacking scandal. He worked as Director of Communications for Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, for three years until March 2018. Before that he advised corporate clients at leading financial communications firm Powerscourt. James helps clients tell their corporate story clearly and effectively in company announcements, speeches, internal comms and across new media.
"Every company has a story to tell and it can always be told simply in language that everyone can understand. Finding the right words isn't always easy but its essential if customers, staff and shareholders are to understand what you're trying to achieve. As a journalist, I found it hard to watch good companies who fought hard to succeed in the marketplace struggle to convey their values and message in a clear and consistent way. Every announcement and public statement is a chance to engage with customers. I work closely with clients to make sure they make the most of those opportunities".
James Robinson James Robinson trained as a journalist and worked in newspapers for 20 years, including a decade as media editor at the Observer and the Guardian, where he played a key role in the paper's award-winning coverage of the phone-hacking scandal. He worked as Director of Communications for Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour
Job Titles:
- Dean Leak
- Leadership and Talent Expert
Joan is a leadership and talent expert, whose work covers everything related to delivering the people aspects of strategy. She has a wealth of experience in helping senior leaders to uplift the capabilities of their people as well as spot and develop high potentials. Joan worked for HayGroup for 10 years and was part of a small global team that developed consultants' abilities at all levels in the organisation. She grew enormously whilst at HayGroup from facilitating her first leadership programme with BAT in South Africa to designing bespoke leadership programmes for individuals and intact teams.
Joan has enjoyed an eclectic career beginning in sales and marketing and moving into a series of operational roles, in manufacturing companies. From there she moved into consulting. After a 12-year stint in global consultancy firms she joined a specialty chemicals company as their EVP HR & Comms for 2 years before branching out on her own as a freelance consultant.
Joan holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Cambridge University, a Diploma in Marketing and an Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching. She is certified in a range of aptitude and psychometric tools and assessment approaches. Joan combines her first-hand experience of manufacturing and business environments with her knowledge of what drives behavior to facilitate powerful learning and development experiences that propel personal change.
Joan van den Brink Joan is a leadership and talent expert, whose work covers everything related to delivering the people aspects of strategy. She has a wealth of experience in helping senior leaders to uplift the capabilities of their people as well as spot and develop high potentials. Joan worked for HayGroup for 10 years […]
Joanna is a business psychologist with 17 years of hands-on experience working for major investment banks and private equity firms. In her early career, she worked in mergers and acquisitions before transitioning to a focus on recruitment, retention and people development across a variety of financial business areas. She has a passion for helping people (ranging from school leavers to experienced hires) understand themselves more deeply, and facilitating them positioning themselves in roles that suit their key skills and attributes. Her current research interests are focused on understanding the loss of identity suffered by women as a result of taking career breaks and the practical implications of helping them return to work. She holds an MSc in Business Psychology, and is an active contributor to the Association of Business Psychologists.
"I have a deep understanding of what makes people successful in businesses and want to help both individuals and businesses recognise where these skills and opportunities align. There is nothing more rewarding than helping individuals understand and become self aware about their true self and empowering them to take decisions around their development accordingly. The benefits for businesses are obvious: engaged employees with the right skills for their role, alongside clear, well supported development plans for their future."
Joanna Floyd Joanna is a business psychologist with 17 years of hands-on experience working for major investment banks and private equity firms. In her early career, she worked in mergers and acquisitions before transitioning to a focus on recruitment, retention and people development across a variety of financial business areas. She has a passion for […]
John is a behavioural management consultant who focuses on harnessing the power of workplace culture. He effects cultural change by engaging employees, guiding them with the leadership's vision but also enabling them to drive the process themselves. In this way, they take responsibility for building and protecting their own culture. John bases his approach on insights from behavioural science, in which he has an MSc from the London School of Economics, as well as on 25 years of experience as a business leader and marketing strategist. John spent 12 years as senior partner at Dare, which was named Digital Agency of the Decade by leading trade title, Campaign, in 2010.
"I have no doubt that our culture was central to Dare's success. It motivated extraordinary effort from all of us and gave us a thrilling sense of collective purpose. But at the time I could not have told you how or why it happened like that. My study of behavioural science helped me to identify where we went right - and also where we went wrong when we tried to expand and pursue a strategy that was not in sync with our culture. I've learnt at least as much from our mistakes as from our successes and I now take great pleasure in using these lessons to improve the fortunes of other businesses - and the working lives of the people who work in them."
John Owen John is a behavioural management consultant who focuses on harnessing the power of workplace culture. He effects cultural change by engaging employees, guiding them with the leadership's vision but also enabling them to drive the process themselves. In this way, they take responsibility for building and protecting their own culture. John bases his […]
Kate Garraway has been a main presenter on the ITV breakfast show for over 20 years first on GMTV, then Daybreak and now on Good Morning Britain. She also presents a daily music show on Smooth Radio. Prior to this she was a local news anchor in the South of England and then a presenter on Skand y News and then one of the launch presenters on the BBC News Channel. She was also a presenter on the BBC National Lottery show. She regularly hosts events, conferences and awards dinners, speaking to large and diverse audiences. She is the Master Coach and Trainer for CDP IMPACT, working with senior executives globally on executive presence, presentation skills and media training.
"I have always had a passion for communicating which is why I ended up in my profession I guess. My parents remember me with an old fashioned cassette recorder at about age 8 pretending to interview Mrs Thatcher! Over the years I have learned from some brilliant presenters - both on and off camera and it is a privilege to use that experience to help others make the best possible impact. I believe that we are all, in our own unique way, great presenters and performers deep down and the work we do at CDP IMPACT is just about turning that inner potential into visible results"
Kate Garraway Kate Garraway has been a main presenter on the ITV breakfast show for over 20 years first on GMTV, then Daybreak and now on Good Morning Britain. She also presents a daily music show on Smooth Radio. Prior to this she was a local news anchor in the South of England and then […]
Job Titles:
- DEAN LEAK
- Organisational Development Consultant
Kirsty is a organisational development consultant, experienced in enhancing talent, leadership, teams and culture. Before becoming a consultant, she held senior HR positions in Diageo Plc covering both talent development and strategic roles. During her tenure at Diageo, she was also an internal expert on change and transformation. Kirsty's cross cultural credentials come from having delivered programmes across 20 countries and having lived in Singapore, Australia, the UK and France.
Kirsty holds an MA in Strategic Human Resources, an MSc. in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy and is trained across a range of psychometric and assessment tools. This mix of hands-on business experience and psychological training means Kirsty's outlook is grounded, commercial and insight-driven.
She is persistently curious about people and believes that all personal development has its basis in deepening self awareness. Kirsty is known for her energy, collaborative spirit and her sense of humour.
"I believe in the principle of co-creation - that our personalities interact with the people and cultures around us to create something unique. Understand that interaction and you can succeed anywhere"
Kirsty Minford Kirsty is a organisational development consultant, experienced in enhancing talent, leadership, teams and culture. Before becoming a consultant, she held senior HR positions in Diageo Plc covering both talent development and strategic roles. During her tenure at Diageo, she was also an internal expert on change and transformation. Kirsty's cross cultural credentials come […]
Lisa has spent over 20 years in communications working in financial public relations, business journalism and copywriting before making the transition into Psychology in 2012. She completed a post graduate certificate in Psychology, followed by a MSc in Psychology (Child Development) from UCL and recently gained a MSc in Occupational Psychology from Birkbeck, giving her graduate status at the British Psychological Society. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Association for Business Psychology (ABP) managing their online content (for the news sheet and feature articles for the website).
"I have researched in depth some of the difficulties that managers have had to face in their organisations and the impact that changes in their leadership behaviour can have in their workplace. By bringing together my knowledge of the corporate world with occupational psychology, I pragmatically help leaders to develop their self-awareness, insight, agility and emotional control to create the most optimal outcomes for their businesses".
Lisa Kramer Lisa has spent over 20 years in communications working in financial public relations, business journalism and copywriting before making the transition into Psychology in 2012. She completed a post graduate certificate in Psychology, followed by a MSc in Psychology (Child Development) from UCL and recently gained a MSc in Occupational Psychology from Birkbeck, […]
Job Titles:
- Country Director - Ireland
- Orla Coughlan Country Director
Orla is an International Human Resource Executive operating at C- Suite level in Europe, US and Asia. Over the past 25 years she has teamed with business leaders in multi-cultural, global markets, focussing on acquiring and growing businesses, in both consumer and enterprise technology. Her previous roles include, EMEA HR Director at HP, Global Vice President HR at Activision Blizzard, and most recently Chief Human Resources Director at eir in Ireland. On leaving eir she joined CDP with responsibility for our Irish business, and is also a founder of The Riasc Partnership - which works with a range of Entrepreneurial Companies and Not for Profit organisations on business, organisation strategy. Orla is also a well known advocate for the role of Women in Business and is a member of the Steering Committee of 30% Club Ireland. A Psychology and Economics Graduate from UCC, Orla also has a Diploma in Executive Coaching from IMI.
‘Having worked in both high growth and start up companies, I have seen the significant financial and market impact of developing, and retaining great people. My passion, is enabling the success of businesses through the development of their people and creation of talent/succession plans which allow our clients identify and retain highly valued leaders. My work at CDP enables me to share my experience with our clients to ensure they leverage all of their people and create an environment where everyone can be the best version of themselves'
Orla Coughlan Country Director - Ireland Orla is an International Human Resource Executive operating at C- Suite level in Europe, US and Asia. Over the past 25 years she has teamed with business leaders in multi-cultural, global markets, focussing on acquiring and growing businesses, in both consumer and enterprise technology. Her previous roles include, EMEA
Originally a strategic planner, with over 25 years experience in the marketing and communications industries, (including time as an ex-Agency MD), Paul comes from the world of business. He blends his considerable experience of working with individuals and teams in business with his work in the psycho-therapeutic field. As a group facilitator with Clearmind International, Paul runs personal development workshops that help people work through their struggles to find a new way of seeing themselves and their place in the world around them.
"When it comes to work, I've been stuck in struggles many times over. Whether they've been issues with colleagues, resentment over being passed over for promotions or in my latter years, making that tricky transition from practitioner to leader, I've been there. And I can now also see how not to be there. I get that our "stuckness" is acerbated by our own self-judgement, which then plays out in the way we perceive events and behave with others. It's my ambition to marry my learning in the therapeutic realm and the sometimes harsh reality of business to find a way to help you and your teams develop, grow and achieve."
Paul Jeffrey Originally a strategic planner, with over 25 years experience in the marketing and communications industries, (including time as an ex-Agency MD), Paul comes from the world of business. He blends his considerable experience of working with individuals and teams in business with his work in the psycho-therapeutic field. As a group facilitator with […]
Rowan has been coaching and consulting in small and medium sized businesses for the past ten years, winning clients through direct referrals and personal recommendations. Prior to this he ran his own public relations business and was a corporate communications consultant advising FTSE 100 companies and major brands. His typical clients are established businesses of up to 200 people who want to grow faster. He works with CEOs and their boards to design new strategies for growth while fostering alignment and unity that drives renewed commercial growth as well as personal vitality and energy.
Job Titles:
- Executive Coach and Founder of the Work Psychologist
Sarah Jane Last Sarah is a strategist, psychologist, executive coach and founder of The Work Psychologist (BSc Psychology, MSc Business Psychology, Board member ABP - Association for Business Psychologists). Her current research interests are focused around the early identification of Intraprenurial talent. She currently coaches private clients, millennial leaders, C-suite leaders internally at Channel 4
Susie is one of Britain's best known psychotherapists and authors. She consults to senior management in the NHS, has been a consultant at the World Bank and is the author of 12 books. She co-founded the Women's Therapy Centre in London and New York and is a trustee of the Freud Museum and convenor of www.endangeredbodies.org. Her highly acclaimed series "In Therapy" broadcast on Radio 4 during 2016 was heard by 2 million people. She was visiting Professor at the LSE for ten years.
Job Titles:
- Expert
- Expert in the Field of Assessment
Tim is an expert in the field of Assessment, Development and Executive Coaching. With an MSc in Applied Psychology from Cranfield University (as well as being an accredited Executive Coach), he has lived and worked internationally for almost two decades as an HR Advisor and Consultant. He believes understanding potential is key to the ongoing success of organisations. Being competitive and successful in today's complex marketplace requires an agile approach to talent: from effectively identifying, developing and retaining talent to fostering a robust talent pipeline. His client base covers a range of industries and sectors, including British Airways, Bayer, DHL, Hang Seng Banking Corporation, Microsoft, Shangri-La Hotels, Unilever and Vodafone.
"I help individuals to get the best out of themselves by helping them to increase their self knowledge. I also have a passion for working with teams to align behind a common goal, increase trust with each other and enable constructive challenge. In this group process I employ a variety of team coaching methods (quantitate and qualitative), and enjoy building deep relationships with the group over time."
Timothy Bilton Tim is an expert in the field of Assessment, Development and Executive Coaching. With an MSc in Applied Psychology from Cranfield University (as well as being an accredited Executive Coach), he has lived and worked internationally for almost two decades as an HR Advisor and Consultant. He believes understanding potential is key to […]
James has an established background in people development and sustaining performance at the highest level.
Having initially qualified as a PE Teacher, James successfully attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment where he led troops on operational tours of the Middle East and Northern Ireland.
After serving to the rank of Captain, James returned to his passion of high performance sport where he coached rugby union to an International level and worked personally with many current premiership players and members of the medal winning Rio Olympic 7's team.
James has spanned the world of sport and commerce. He has acted as a consultant to private sector companies and PLCs in the UK and overseas on leadership, change and culture.
Whilst in sport he also led the development of a leadership programmes for elite student athletes at Loughborough University.
James currently acts on behalf of the Governments High performance Sport agency UK Sport as a performance advisor to those who lead Olympic and Paralympic Sports programs in pursuit of medal success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
James hold a Masters Degree in Strategic Management, and is also currently completing his Masters in Executive Coaching to further develop his passion for developing others. James is a very keen sportsman and enjoys triathlon, golf, and skiing but also has a strong interest in wildlife, bush craft and hillwalking.
He supports CDP in the areas of: