Ollie Smedley

& Associates

Support. Challenge. Inspiration.

Coaching, mentoring & advisory services for 

Finance leaders

Ollie Smedley

I help Finance leaders achieve positive changes to things that matter to them and their teams.


As an ex-CFO and MD in large corporates, I understand the accountability, pressure and personal compromises that can come with ‘the job’.  I’ve made those compromises myself and, at times, without even knowing I was making them.


Coaching & mentoring helped me become a more effective and confident business leader delivering for stakeholders whilst ensuring I supported myself and those that depend on me. 


I now act as a confidential sounding board enabling finance leaders to:


  • Increase their business impact
  • Build more effective relationships with stakeholders
  • Become trusted advisers
  • Leverage their skills and harness their creativity
  • Build their resilience and resourcefulness
  • Create the team that works for them and their business
  • Thrive

 

Using a combination of my business and coaching credentials I create a high trust, high challenge environment supporting you to great outcomes. 


When I'm not coaching or mentoring I'm also a Director of We-Q, the team coaching business along with Chair of Transform Housing & Support, the Surrey based charity helping people live independent and fulfilling lives.

Clients

Associate & Pro Bono Work


Take the first steps toward your goals by booking a free 45 minute strategy session with me


No hard sales or head-shrinking - just a common sense conversation

It's all about context

Few roles sitting around the board table carry the diversity of demands or day-to-day pressure than the modern day Finance leader. 


Communicator, enabler, gate-keeper, commercial partner, technical expert, referee and score-keeper are just a few words to describe the role. 


Whether it's developing strategy, restructuring the operation or just growing the business, the involvement of the Finance leader is critical in the success of the business. 


And all whilst ensuring "basics" like cash-flow, planning and controls stay off the list of worries. 


Work with me to develop the best version of you, whatever the context.


Connect with me!

And people
The number of stakeholders can be vast - boss, Board, shareholders, equity investors, colleagues, customers and, increasingly, accountability to organisations like the FCA and the ICO.  

These relationships can be complex and nuanced and require skills and experience to get right.

And then there's your team - sometimes great but often under-invested, feeling like it's in catch-up mode and not getting close enough to the business.  Always busy and waiting for it to "get better soon...".  Not a place you can confidently delegate to.

And then there's you, frequently squeezed with personal needs de-prioritised - how's your work / life balance?  How are you showing up at home?  How's your health & fitness over the last 12 months? How much time have you spent on your own development plan? 

Is work something you do or is it what you have become?

How I help

Qualified with an FCMA, I've worked across various sectors in listed and P/E environments. I've also taken the step from Finance to Managing Director of a standalone business. 


I use my professional coaching and mentoring skills with my business experience to support you to be more effective as a Finance leader. 


Raising your self-awareness I help you see yourself and others more clearly. Leveraging your strengths I help you identify what you really want and where you can develop or focus. 


I also work with a small team of trusted associates who can all bring something different to your business - whatever the challenge.


I work for YOU on YOUR agenda


Focus areas can include:

 

  • Acting as a confidential sounding board.
  • Building impact & effectiveness.
  • Understanding & influencing stakeholders.
  • Unlocking the power of your team.
  • Exploring the balance of your work and home life.
  • Promotion to senior / general management roles.
  • Building authenticity and self confidence. 
  • Helping you become more rounded.