Executive Coaching

The Discipline

What Is Executive Coaching?

Executive coaching is a profound, structured partnership between an experienced professional coach and a senior leader. Unlike mentoring or consulting, coaching does not provide answers — it unlocks the capabilities, clarity and confidence that already exist within the individual.

At Meridian, our coaching engagements are entirely confidential, deeply personalised and anchored in rigorous assessment. We work with leaders on the issues that truly matter: navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, leading through uncertainty, establishing executive presence, and building the resilience required to sustain performance over the long term.

Every coaching programme is co-designed with the individual and, where appropriate, their sponsor, to ensure that personal growth is aligned with organisational priorities and delivers measurable value.

"The coaching I received from Meridian did not just change how I led — it changed how I thought about leadership itself."

— Chief Executive, FTSE 250 Financial Services Group

Executive coaching session at Meridian Advisory Group

ICF PCC & MCC
Accredited

Eligibility

Who Is It For?

Our executive coaching is designed for leaders facing the most demanding challenges of their careers. We work with three primary groups.

New to the C-Suite

Leaders making the pivotal transition from functional excellence to enterprise leadership. We help you navigate the first 100 days, establish credibility quickly and build the right relationships at the top.

Transitioning Leaders

Experienced executives navigating major role changes — new organisations, expanded mandates, post-merger integration or significant strategic pivots. We accelerate your effectiveness in the new context.

High Potentials

Exceptional leaders identified for future senior roles. We accelerate readiness, develop executive presence and ensure your most valuable talent is genuinely prepared for the demands ahead.

The Process

How It Works

A proven four-stage process designed to create lasting, measurable transformation over a structured engagement period.

Discovery & Contracting

A thorough initial assessment of the leader's context, challenges and goals. We establish a clear coaching contract and define success at the outset, creating shared accountability from day one.

Assessment & Insight

Psychometric profiling, 360° stakeholder feedback and a structured self-reflection process. We build a rich, evidence-based picture of strengths, development areas and hidden patterns.

Coaching & Development

Regular, confidential coaching sessions — typically monthly — exploring real-time challenges, building new capabilities and shifting limiting beliefs. Sessions are purposeful, challenging and deeply supportive.

Review & Embed

A structured conclusion that celebrates progress, reviews outcomes against the original contract and creates a plan to sustain development independently. Optional follow-up sessions available.

Impact

Outcomes That Matter

The evidence from across our client portfolio speaks for itself. These figures are drawn from post-engagement evaluations conducted independently.

94%

of coachees report a significant increase in leadership confidence and decision-making clarity

3.5×

average return on investment reported by sponsoring organisations within 12 months

87%

of coachees are promoted or take on expanded responsibility within 18 months of coaching

91%

report measurable improvement in their ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships

78%

record a significant reduction in stress and burnout indicators following their coaching engagement

96%

would recommend Meridian executive coaching to a colleague or peer — our highest satisfaction metric

Our Coaches

Meet Two of Our Featured Coaches

Every Meridian coach brings deep commercial experience alongside professional coaching credentials. We carefully match each coachee to the coach best suited to their context and goals.

Dr. Sarah Hutchinson

MCC ICF Chartered Psychologist

C-Suite Transitions & Board Dynamics

With 18 years of executive coaching practice and a doctorate in Organisational Psychology, Sarah specialises in supporting leaders navigating high-stakes transitions. Her background spans the FTSE 100, private equity and the public sector. She is a visiting faculty member at London Business School.

James Alderton

PCC ICF EMBA (London)

High Potentials & Leadership Presence

James brings 14 years of coaching experience following a senior executive career in professional services. He is particularly sought after by leaders looking to sharpen their executive presence, influence skills and personal impact. He holds an Executive MBA from London Business School and a PCC from the ICF.

Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an executive coaching engagement typically last?

Most executive coaching engagements run for six to twelve months, typically comprising eight to twelve sessions. Shorter, focused engagements of three to six months are available for specific, well-defined challenges. We recommend a minimum of six months to create genuine, sustainable change rather than short-term behavioural adjustment.

Is everything discussed in coaching sessions kept confidential?

Absolutely. All coaching conversations are strictly confidential. Where there is an organisational sponsor, we provide high-level progress reports against agreed goals — never specific content from sessions. Our coaches adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics, and confidentiality is a foundational non-negotiable of every Meridian engagement.

How are coaches matched to coachees?

Coach-coachee matching is one of the most important decisions in the process. We consider the leader's sector, the nature of their challenges, their preferred working style and their personal goals. We will always offer a chemistry meeting with two or three potential coaches before any commitment is made — the relationship must feel right for both parties.

Can coaching be delivered remotely?

Yes. We offer coaching delivered in-person at our Canary Wharf offices, at a location of the client's choice, or via secure video platform. Most long-term engagements use a blend of face-to-face and virtual sessions. We find that an initial in-person meeting to establish the relationship is particularly valuable, though it is not a requirement.

How do you measure the success of a coaching engagement?

At the start of every engagement we co-define clear, specific success indicators with the coachee and, where relevant, their sponsor. These are reviewed at the midpoint and conclusion of the programme. We also conduct 360° follow-up stakeholder conversations where appropriate, and provide a detailed impact evaluation at the close of the engagement.