Professional Experience
I have over thirty years’ experience as a senior communications leader and advisor working for some of the world’s best-known businesses including the BBC, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Unilever, Tesco, Pernod Ricard, Marks & Spencer, Samsung and Dunhill.
I’ve worked both as a director, and managed as a client, a wide range of agencies – from small to large – including Launch PR, John Doe, Biss Lancaster, Red, Edelman, Jackie Cooper and Shandwick Welbeck. And I’ve worked with clients across a range of sectors from the automotive, FMCG, retail, broadcast, luxury goods, travel and healthcare sectors.
I have deep experience in leadership and junior-middle management coaching and mentoring, internal and external communications, change and issues communications, and multi-channel integrated marketing and communications strategy, to deliver key business objectives and employee and stakeholder engagement.
Business clients include charities and PR/media agencies (in particular, where stakeholder relationships are key) working with employees and groups of all levels, from account execs to the CEO.
I create the confidential conditions, thinking time, space and awareness to help them unlock solutions to challenges they might not do alone. I help them to surface new thoughts and solutions.
Personal Experience
I work with people from all walks of life and on all stages of their personal or professional journey: from individuals facing the challenges of leaving school, new graduates choosing a career, motherhood, divorce, children leaving home, returning to work, redundancy or retirement.
My own ‘Road To Brighton’ has taken me on a twisty, sometimes bumpy road through life, as much as freewheeling in the sunshine with the roof down!
Like most of us, I’ve had my share of ups and downs; I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had an exciting career studded with celebrities, fantastic memories and achievements; I’ve been blessed with a child, partner, friends and animal companions; I’ve travelled and lived in some remarkable places, met wonderful people and learnt much about life, people and society.
But I also know the pain of loss; the death of friends and parents, of a child going to school for the first time and leaving home for university for the last; of separation and divorce. I’ve been a single mother- juggling career with schooling and childcare, struggling to make financial ends meet. I’ve been ‘sandwiched’ between caring for elderly parents and troublesome teenagers. I’ve experienced redundancy and unfair dismissal (more than once!) and over months without work, applied for hundreds of jobs without receiving a response. I’ve feared losing my home. I’ve felt lonely, frightened, hopeless and confused. Not knowing what to do, where to go or who to talk to.
Whatever you’re feeling or experiencing, I won’t judge you. But I will listen with complete attention; I can help you to find your own answers.
My Qualifications
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B.A. Hons. 2.1. Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London.
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Member International Coaching Federation (ICF)
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ICF Accredited Barefoot Trained Coach
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ICF Accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching, University of Chester
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CPCAB levels ICSKL2 and CSKL3 in counselling
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TA101 in Transactional Analysis from the Metanoia Institute
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Mentor for The Prince’s Trust
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Volunteer coach for CRISIS
My Passions
My personal passion is for writing – I’ve done it all my life, throughout my career and for the sheer love of it. My first novel is with a literary agent and is being submitted to publishers. I’m working on my second…
I also enjoy travelling, interior design, film and TV drama, and singing.
But the greatest loves of my life are my ever-supportive partner, Mark, my super-smart son, James and our furry family of two cats, Percy and Arthur, and our new Irish Terrier, Dougal. Mervyn, my beloved IT, is always with me.
Read THE PEAR TREE STORY
‘Sara was a real pleasure to work with. She is naturally empathetic and intuitive to her clients’ needs, and can rapidly formulate a strategy for personal growth and development. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for life or career guidance, however big or small.’
Jamie R, Asset Manager
“Sara is a pleasure to talk to, an expert in her field who’s able to communicate and help uncover the skills you have and need. Sara is fantastic at boiling complicated topics down to something you can understand and I couldn’t think of anyone more suited to be a coach.”
Dylan W, Recent Graduate
and Social Media Influencer