Career & Executive Coaching

18 + years guiding ambitious, sometimes stuck, professionals to make major pivots, land leadership roles and transition successfully in their careers

With me, Helen Slingsby, you get measurable progress: clarity, confidence, and career traction

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Welcome

I’m Helen Slingsby, and for over 18 years, I’ve helped mid-to senior professionals reshape their careers, break into new sectors, accelerate in their roles and change direction completely.

With an MSc in Career Management & Counselling and a PGCert in Executive Coaching (ICF-accredited), I combine rigor, industry insight, and a deep understanding of change. As a former business journalist turned career changer myself, I know intimately what it’s like to chart a new path.

Work with me, and you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a proven roadmap to your next career chapter.

To see how I can help you stay one step ahead in the world of work, please get in touch for a free introductory chat.

A smiling woman with brown wavy hair and glasses, wearing a pink blazer over a white shirt, leaning on a wooden railing inside a modern building with large windows and wooden structural elements.

Helen Slingsby, MSc, PGCert Executive Coach

My approach

I am a seasoned, practical and insightful coach who knows how to ask the right questions to foster career transformation. I work with individuals and organisations from the public and private sector. I have regular supervision to ensure my coaching is up to date and that I am continuously learning, and developing my practice.

I have an energetic, positive, warm style of coaching that gets results.

I have been a full member of the Association for Coaching for nearly 20 years.

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In-person and remote options

Most coaching sessions are on online via Zoom, which means I can see clients from all over the country including London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Bristol.

For in-person sessions, my office is easy to get to and conveniently located in Pangbourne, just off junction 12 of the M4, near Reading, Berkshire.

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My services

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Career change

Coaching to switch careers, change direction, find fulfilment and focus on a different future. Play to your strengths.

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Return to work brilliantly

After maternity or paternity leave, long-term sick leave, or sabbatical. Re-discover your confidence and capability. Understands what now works for you.

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Executive Coaching

For mid to senior executives looking to step up to the next level , build confidence and communication skills, have difficult conversations and manage upwards.

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Third stage, pre-retirement

Leaving a full-on career can be daunting and hard. Thinking about what you want before leaping into the unknown is key. Pre-retirement coaching helps you figure it out and plan ahead.

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Pivot and take control of your career

Tap into transferable skills and experience, pivot to seek new challenges, promotions or improve work/life balance.

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Re-booting after redundancy

Professional outplacement support, confidence building, skills audits, CV, interview and job search advice.

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  • "I got the job, and was offered two other roles as well, so your interview coaching made a real difference!"

    David, Risk Manager, October 2025

  • “Helen is a fantastic leadership coach who has helped my transition to a portfolio NED. She is a sounding board, supporter, mentor, coach, and truth teller.”

    Tina, NED and Strategic COO Advisor (Jan 2024)

  • “Helen asks all the right probing questions, provides great resources, and has my best interests in mind.”

    Anastasia, ex-schoolteacher, landed a job in the Ed-Tech sector (Jan 2024)

  • “ I needed a career change after twenty years in the Civil service. Helen worked with me to identify my transferable skills, and believe in my abilities. I successfully move into a new field, within a few months.”

    Charlotte, Deloitte consultant (2022)

  • “After a spell of unsuccessful job hunting I found a job and don't doubt for a moment that this was the result of my increased confidence and better job seeking skills resulting from these sessions.”

    IT Specialist (Jan 2024)

  • “I was at a career crossroads and needed to find my vocational passion. I found Helen's encouraging manner, broad business experience and practical insights extremely valuable in helping me to refocus and achieve my goals.”

    Director of Government Affairs, pharma sector (Dec 2023)

  • “Helen’s individualised approach boosted my confidence and helped me to completely re-evaluate my achievements and to see my potential in a much more positive light, so that I was able to reposition myself and secure my ideal job.”

    Cindy, Reading, Berkshire

  • “The subtle changes you made to my CV and Linkedin profile made a big difference - with me no longer chasing jobs, but agents chasing me.”

    Jeremy, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

  • “ I’ve just been promoted to a Business Critical Account Manager responsible for building and maintaining relationships with customers, and I couldn’t be happier.”

    Wassim, Maidenhead, Berkshire

  • “At times I felt a bit lost, and a little despondent – Helen was a really great coach in keeping my spirits up.”

    Andrew, Oxford

  • “I’ve been successful in my job hunting and will be starting in the New Year. Salary is excellent. As you’d suggested, I found the job through someone I used to work with – so networking wins again.”

    Jane, Tadley, Hampshire

  • “I start on Monday as Chief Product Marketing Officer. Visualising walking into the new office and using a structured approach to answering questions kept me going.”

    Steven, Reading, Berkshire

  • “Your guidance landed me a very competitive first move into industry from a Big Four accountancy firm.”

    James, London

  • “I have worked with Helen for six years. She has been very effective in helping me through a change in career, and through ensuing regular executive coaching sessions that keep me on track.”

    Ross, Reading, Berkshire

  • “From the start I was impressed with Helen’s energy, professionalism and the way that she dealt with me as an individual, this support has been invaluable, thank you.”

    Liam, Marlborough, Wiltshire

  • “I was facing an important life transition after 35 years in the corporate world so finding renewed purpose and re-inventing my identity was essential.”

    Gill, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

  • “I am finally out the other side and feel like a new person. I have accepted a finance role, which will free up time to explore my love of interior design. Couldn’t have got there without you!”

    Amanda, Hook, Hampshire

  • “I was made redundant from a senior executive role in a global publishing company. I have now landed a job that really excites me, and I am extremely grateful to Helen for her support and expertise.”

    Andrew, Oxford

Get inspired: career resources and ideas

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Get started with your own career breakthrough, today.

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