ABOUT

About - my "Why"?

  Hi, I'm Ollie Smedley


I live in Surrey with my wife, 2 daughters and Chester, our 7 year old Hungarian Vizsla.


My business background is drawn from 25 years of operational and commercial experience working within brands like ExxonMobil, AllianceBoots, Accenture and most recently Centrica (British Gas). 


The early part of my career was spent within Finance, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and subsequently holding Board roles as Finance Director across a broad range of sectors in both PLC and private equity environments, including start-ups.

So what?


Many of the businesses were large and operationally complex requiring strong stakeholder management skills, high levels of teamwork and limitless energy. For a long time I considered my career high points to have been some significant turnarounds achieved whilst working at burnout levels. 


As my career advanced I slowly realised that the definition of “success” I had developed over many decades wasn’t helpful to me. Working at that pace had given me many things for which I was truly thankful; however, I was becoming aware that my health, family or career could suffer if I carried on without changing my approach. 


And coaching?


Being coached helped me understand myself and those around me better and with it, gave me the opportunity and tools to help me make active choices – to live life on purpose.


About 5 years ago I planned and made the transition to Managing Director, something I had wanted to do for years. The role was regulated by the FCA and came with high levels of personal accountability but was also matched with autonomy for leadership, strategy and running the customer operation. 


The coaching I received made me a much more effective leader who successfully took the business through an unprecedented level of change whilst delivering best-ever customer service levels and winning a Silver ROSPA Health & Safety award.


In spite of the challenges, I found a new career high – delivering for the business and leading my teams through adversity whilst looking after myself and my family.

Now what?

 

Having trained professionally as a business and personal coach I support leaders and teams in the challenges they face in their lives.


I’m accredited (PCC) by the International Coach Federation (ICF). I’m also a Fellow of the Chartered institute of Management Accountants (FCMA) and a Warwick graduate in Economics. 


In my portfolio career I'm Deputy Chair and a Trustee for Transform Housing & Support, a charity helping people to reach their goals and live independent and fulfilling lives.


I also work collaboratively with some great coaches, helping them deliver larger programmes to their clients.

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