The Switch: Leadership Coaching for a Successful Transition to Chief Executive

The Client

The Switch is a London-based charity providing essential skills, careers education and employment experiences to raise the aspirations and boost the life chances of young people in Tower Hamlets. They partner with businesses, to work with primary and secondary schools, so they can introduce young people to all things related to work.

The Problem

When Helen Sanson became the new Chief Executive, she faced the challenge of taking on overall responsibility for an entire organisation for the first time. With so many different aspects of the job demanding her attention, from strategy and operations to programmes and income governance, Helen knew she need to prioritise effectively. Keen to hit the ground running and perform really well, she felt she would benefit from coaching to support her in stepping up into her new role.

What We Did

Recognising her need for guidance and support, Helen turned to T4P for executive coaching with Alli Gibbons. Through regular coaching sessions, Alli worked closely with Helen, offering clear thinking, a structured approach, and personal support throughout the transition period.

Alli’s approach stood out for several reasons:

Clear thinking and structure: Alli excelled at seeing the big picture and providing frameworks to help Helen organise her thoughts and responsibilities effectively.

Extensive knowledge: With a wealth of knowledge about business strategy, operations, organisational structures, and management best practices, Alli could offer valuable insights and advice tailored to Helen’s specific situation.

Empathetic and supportive: Alli’s approachable and empathetic style made Helen feel comfortable sharing her vulnerabilities and concerns without fear of judgement.

The Result

With Alli’s support, Helen experienced several positive outcomes:

Personal effectiveness: Helen has established a more structured approach to her work, enabling her to handle specific issues without feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Even after the initial transition period, Helen has continued to seek coaching from Alli, valuing her ability to provide targeted guidance on specific challenges as they arise.

Building confidence: Helen grew in confidence in her role and her ability to make sound decisions and well-informed choices. She developed a sense of being truly in control of her responsibilities and the strategic direction of the organisation. Working with Alli on strategy enabled her to go to her Board of Trustees and present credible, practical recommendations with confidence.

Strategic decisions: Helen has used the coaching with Alli to talk through some very significant decisions that she’s subsequently implemented to improve organisational performance, including restructuring the team and introducing a new business model. She believes the coaching really helped her to make the right decisions.

“I really enjoy working with Alli and not just as a coachee. She’s a coach for the business as well.

I think it’s that testament really to Alli’s range of skills, and it’s brilliant working with her because you get a bit of everything. You get some coaching, you get staff training, you get the management consultancy. She’s really the full package.”

Helen Sanson, Chief Executive