Summary​

Colin is an executive coach with over 35 years' experience in Professional Services, including more than 25 years as a partner at Freshfields, where he held senior leadership roles spanning global practice management, Board membership and General Counsel. Drawing on this extensive first-hand leadership experience, Colin works with senior executives navigating complex organisational challenges, significant role transitions and periods of change. He particularly enjoys working with C-suite executives, law firm partners, senior professional services leaders and individuals navigating significant leadership or career transitions. He helps leaders strengthen their effectiveness, broaden their perspective and make confident decisions, while building the resilience and self-awareness needed for sustainable success.​

Coaching Style​

Colin brings a pragmatic, thoughtful and results-oriented approach to coaching, combining the perspective of an experienced senior business leader with psychological insight. He views coaching as a partnership that provides clients with the space to reflect, challenge assumptions and develop their own effective approaches to leadership challenges. His style balances support with constructive challenge, helping clients build greater self-awareness, unlock their potential and translate insight into meaningful action. Colin places particular emphasis on sustainable leadership effectiveness, recognising the importance of wellbeing and resilience in enabling senior leaders to thrive in demanding environments.​

Professional Experience​

Alongside a successful career advising clients on complex tax matters at Freshfields, Colin held several significant leadership positions, including leading the firm's global tax practice, serving as an elected member of the firm's Board and ultimately becoming General Counsel. These roles provided extensive first-hand experience of leading senior professionals, navigating complex stakeholder relationships, managing organisational change and exercising judgement in demanding, high-stakes environments. They also gave Colin a deep understanding of the challenges associated with leadership transitions, executive decision-making and sustaining performance at the highest organisational levels. ​

Throughout his career at Freshfields, Colin was an enthusiastic coach and mentor, both within the firm and externally. Building on this experience, he transitioned into executive coaching, combining his considerable leadership and professional services expertise with formal coaching qualifications and postgraduate study in psychology.​

Sector Experience​

Legal​, Financial Services​, Life Sciences​

Qualifications​

Following his legal career, Colin completed an MSc in Psychology of Education at University College London (UCL) and a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, University of Reading. He is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and of EMCC.

Personal Interests

Outside work, Colin enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly sailing, walking and golf, often in North Norfolk and preferably in the company of family members.