“Helen is a fantastic coach who has helped my transition to a portfolio NED. It’s been hugely beneficial to have her helping me – a sounding board, collaborator, supporter, mentor, coach, truth teller. I recommend everyone has someone like her on their side!”

- Portfolio NED and Strategic COO Advisor

Third stage, pre-retirement coaching

Leaving a full-on career can be daunting and hard for the ego. Thinking about what you want before leaping into the unknown is key. Third Stage , pre-retirement coaching helps you figure this out and plan for it. This might involve working part-time, developing a portfolio career, becoming a non-executive director, volunteering, travelling, or learning to play the piano! It’s your time, make the most of it. Click here for my blog on the topic

Third stage, pre-retirement coaching provides the mental space to mull over the options and the tools to design the future.

You might be in your 50s or 60s looking to step away from a busy job but a little unsure of the next steps. My Pre-retirement or third stage coaching will help you explore the next phase of your life with curiosity and excitement, rather than trepidation. I will provide a neutral sounding board as you undertake this journey. I will help you prepare well in advance of your leaving day by providing the tools to identify what’s going to fire you up for the next decades ahead and start connecting with the new we.

 I will assist with your changing story and how to tell and sell it to others.

 Pre-retirement coaching might also be about finding a route to work less in your current role, go part time and use your spare time to try news things or develop the things you love to do.  The opportunities are myriad!

  • “Helen is a fantastic leadership coach who has helped my transition to a portfolio NED. It’s been hugely beneficial to have her helping me – a sounding board, collaborator, supporter, mentor, coach, truth teller. I recommend everyone has someone like her on their side.”

    Tina, NED and Strategic COO Advisor (Jan 2024)

  • “My coach, Helen Slingsby, has been wonderful! She is quick to respond, easy to set up meetings with (even last minute when things come up), flexible, and takes a very professional yet friendly and empathetic approach to meetings. She 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 turned to Helen when I knew I needed a career change after twenty years working in an area I wasn’t really connecting with any more. I had no idea what else I might do, and my confidence was low. Helen worked with me to identify my transferable skills, and believe in my abilities, and I was able not only to shape what I wanted out of my next career but successfully move into a new field, all within a few months.”

    Charlotte, ex-civil servant, now a Deloitte consultant (2022)

  • “After a spell of unsuccessful job hunting I made the decision to get help from a professional career coach and booked in a course of five sessions with Helen. I found a job even before my fifth session 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)

  • “Having come to a career crossroads in my life, I felt I needed some support in defining what my real vocational passion was and in finding the best way to put it into practice. Helen was fantastic in this regard: throughout our sessions I found her 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

  • “It’s been a year since our meeting and I just wanted to thank you for helping me to focus on my key strengths and interests. 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

  • “Helen acted as my career coach after I was made redundant from a large blue-chip organisation. Through our sessions I learned a lot about myself, gained a huge amount of confidence, plus the ability to sell myself better and I have now secured a new role in marketing.”

    Alison, Basingstoke, Hampshire

  • “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

  • “Helen has been a fantastic help in enabling me to progress through a big change in my career. I now have much more clarity on my skills and what I want from my career.”

    Hannah, Pangbourne, Berkshire

  • “Thank you for the coaching and advice – I start on Monday as Chief Product Marketing Officer. The visualisation of walking into the new office did really help, and just having some of those structured approaches to answering questions kept me going.”

    Steven, Reading, Berkshire

  • “Your guidance through the interview process and pointers toward proper preparation gave me, if results are considered, a confident and winning approach in 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. With Helen’s coaching and encouragement I have secured voluntary work and am in the process of identifying further options by using my network.”

    Gill, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

  • “I am finally out the other side now and feel like a new person. I have accepted a finance role, which will hopefully free up some time for family and exploring my new 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 started with your own career breakthrough, today.