Laura Macleod CB CVO
Laura creates a calm and safe space to discuss and explore different themes by adopting a person-centred approach to coaching. Her coaching philosophy is based upon a view that personal growth occurs best when people have the opportunity and space to really challenge themselves. Her coaching sessions help clients evoke clear visions and identify any self-limiting beliefs to assist them develop their own plans of action. With an approach that brings a warmth and ease to her sessions, she creates a psychologically safe environment for even the most challenging conversations.
She works with individuals across the public, private and third sectors supporting people in challenging leadership positions by blending coaching techniques alongside her own life experience. Laura works well with complexity and supports her clients build their confidence, self-awareness and skills. Her coaching quickly delivers tangible return on investment as clients say they are more adaptive, effective leaders capable of navigating complexity and accelerating growth, not just in the work place, but in all areas of their life. She also supports up and coming leaders to accelerate their careers by helping them build their capacity, resilience, and ability to keep learning.
With over 34 years of service in the Royal Navy, culminating at Executive Director/SVP level, Laura brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational experience, and deep human understanding to every coaching engagement. Her career spanned engineering, operations, strategy, and senior HR roles, including talent development and large-scale transformation. Since retiring in 2022, she has coached clients from global corporations to mission-driven startups, with a strong reputation for empathy, insight, clarity, and delivering game changing results quickly.
She is Chair of a lottery-funded charity supporting service personnel transitioning to civilian life and is a sought-after speaker and award-winning ally in inclusive leadership
As a coach she adheres to the International Coach Federation (ICF) code of conduct. She lives in Reading and has two teenage children.
“Laura is a game changer”
“Working with Laura was extremely rewarding… she created a calm and safe space to discuss and explore the different themes we identified …. I came away from the sessions feeling an increase in my self-awareness but also my self-worth and confidence”
“I thought there is no way this is going to change me ..[but]… you were able to reframe the way I thought about things and reframing my thinking was incredibly powerful - it was like a lightbulb moment”
“The ease for which we can have an open honest conversation, the expertise and insight you bring forward on my leadership ..I am incredibly grateful”
“I can feel the difference in me, my leadership and my team. As a financier I am all over Return on Investment, I know this coaching was very high…It has honestly been transformative”
“The most productive and impactful coaching I have ever had… and I have had many coaches”