Ciara Eastell Consulting | Offering consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services

Ciara Eastell Consulting | Offering consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services

Ciara Eastell Consulting | Providing consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services

Offering consultancy, 
coaching, leadership 
and facilitation 

services

If you’re a leader seeking to adapt, change and thrive or facing organisational challenges where you need some trusted advice and support, Ciara can help. 

 

With extensive experience in leadership, resilience and organisational transformation, Ciara offers consultancy and coaching services that help Chief Executives and Boards successfully implement changes within their business or organisation.  Ciara knows what it takes to lead an organisation through major change with tenacity and sensitivity, with a consistent focus on balancing financial sustainability, organisational impact and employee engagement.  

 

 

Trusted Advisor

Even the best leaders need trusted support and expert advice to lead their organisations and their teams, with positivity and confidence, during times of change and uncertainty. 

 

Ciara works alongside CEOs, Boards and senior teams to support, advise and deliver during times of change.

 

Interim Leader

If you have a gap at a senior leadership level, Ciara will provide interim leadership when your organisation needs it most.

 

Based in Devon, Ciara works in the South West, London and/or remotely.

 

Coach and Mentor

Leaders are experiencing immense change and intense pressure. 

 

Ciara’s coaching and mentoring give you the space and time to explore your challenges and future ambitions for yourself and your organisation.

 

Speaker and Facilitator

Teams need to feel inspired and energised by new thinking and have the chance to connect and learn from one another.

 

Ciara speaks on a range of topics and can facilitate team and Board sessions on change, innovation and resilience.

 

Consultant

Sometimes you just need something doing – a staffing review, a governance review, an intervention with a team that is struggling.

 

If you lack the in-house capacity or expertise, Ciara offers cost-effective support in a range of areas.

 

Organisational change rarely delivers in the way that managers and leaders optimistically envisage.  It gets watered down, derailed or simply fails to have the intended impact.  With so many businesses and organisations facing unprecedented change, caused by global and external factors, it makes sense for leaders and their organisations to have trusted, expert advice and cost-effective consultancy and coaching support on hand as they navigate through this change. 

 

  • Adapt your business model and strategic plans

  • Consider radical new ideas and innovative approaches

  • Engage your staff teams, Board and wider stakeholders in shaping change

  • Make sure you, as the leader, have the space and confidential support you need to plan your next steps

  • And lead that change knowing that you’re doing so with care and kindness.

Contact Ciara if you are looking for coaching or consultancy support.

What Ciara

can offer you

Ciara works across the arts and culture sector, public sector and higher education as well as charities, social enterprises and start ups.

Consultancy and Coaching Services

Adapt, change

& thrive 

NOW IS

THE TIME

Ciara offers a range of consultancy services to help CEOs and Boards plan for, and implement, effective change within their organisations.  These include:

 

  • Trusted Advisor

  • Interim leader

  • Consultant

Consultancy

CIARA'S

SERVICES

Ciara offers coaching and mentoring to CEOs and senior leaders, providing a confidential space and time to focus on their needs during periods of change.  She also enjoys coaching and mentoring younger, ambitious emerging leaders often from diverse backgrounds looking to make change in their organisations. 

 

Ciara’s coaching packages are tailored to your particular needs and are available via Zoom throughout the working week, as well as evenings and weekends.

Coaching and mentoring

Ciara is regularly asked to speak on a range of topics, including leadership, change management and female entrepreneurship.  Her style is personal, inspiring and uplifting, focusing on the actions we can all take to lead well within our organisations.  Ciara also has a track record in convening and curating events and seminars on leadership, including the Leading Edge series as part of the Exeter MBA.

 

Ciara is a skilled facilitator, working with teams and boards to work together more effectively on strategy, team dynamics or simply taking stock.

Speaking and facilitation

Ciara Eastell Consulting | Offering consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services

Julie Finch CEO-Director Compton Verney

Compton Verney’s leadership team have been working with Ciara as part of our culture change and evolution programme. Ciara has been brilliant at working with teams and individuals. The support she has given to shape the culture of the organisation has truly enhanced our performance as a team, so much so that we have continued the initial programme with further individual executive coaching and action learning sets as a stage two approach. Ciara brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as intuition, with just the right amount of support and challenge to any situation.

Dr Maria Balshaw CBE, CEO, Tate

Ciara has an astute insight into organisational change in cultural institutions and recently provided huge support to Tate’s Executive team. She specialises in leadership development and offers insightful and empathetic thinking which encourages strategic change through the transformation of an organisation’s culture, structure and business processes."

Rachel on being coached by Ciara

"I've really appreciated the opportunity to ask myself some questions I'd been avoiding asking for no good reason, and the space to talk found me saying things I probably already knew - but actually articulating them makes you know them more clearly. Ciara let me set the agenda and led me through the sessions unobtrusively but so constructively.”

Katie K on being coached by Ciara

“Ciara brings calm, intelligence and compassion to coaching. She listens deeply and asks great questions. I have been gently guided to look at issues in new ways and explore what I want for myself. She has helped me understand my value and with that, new ideas about where to best place my time and energy. Having the undivided attention of someone so respected is pretty powerful. I have gained confidence and clarity from her sessions and I highly recommend.”

Katie Honnor, madebyhandonline

“Your calm, welcoming and very focused manner made me feel entirely comfortable and able to immediately enter the coaching experience without reservations.”

Polly Staple, Director of Collection (British Art)

On appointment to the position of Director of Collection (British Art) in 2019, Ciara provided trusted support and advice to me during my first 6 months in post.  Her active support and thoughtful guidance was invaluable while navigating a new and complex institution and transitioning through a career pivot into an entirely new role. 

Rosemary Lynch Former Director of Collection Care, Tate

“Ciara’s unique style of challenge and support means that change occurs through the process as well as being an outcome, providing double the value. Her overall approach, which combines extensive cross-sector knowledge, natural connection with people and thorough, evidence-based research, ensures that stakeholders really believe in her commitment to them, to the process and to the organisation. Ciara garners support for creative thinking and innovation at all levels, right from the start.”

Sara Wookey Dance artist, public speaker and researcher

Ciara has an authentic nature and is open to sharing her experiences as a way to support and encourage others. She leads by example. Her prestige as an OBE and earned respect in the academic and cultural communities are a testament to her achievements. It is her incredibly down-to-earth way of communicating and honest, no-nonsense approach and sense of humour that also set her apart. I sensed from the very start of our working together that I was in the company of a fellow female and professional who was both highly successful and wonderfully approachable. I feel very much at ease in Ciara's presence and have benefited from her close listening and informed suggestions and nudges that are moving my career forward in new directions - ones I have been seeking for some time and sought that nudge of courage that Ciara has provided in being my trusted advisor.

Svenja Keller

Ciara has provided coaching support to me during a phase of significant change in my life. She combines warmth and intelligence and thereby created the perfect environment for me to think through my options. Ciara’s encouragement and care have given me the confidence and courage to leave my senior position in financial services and set up my own business in November 2021. I am very grateful for her invaluable support.

James Jameson, entrepreneur

Ciara has and remains an outstanding coach, mentor and guide in my business and life decisions. She’s helped me unlock countless tricky decisions and seemingly impossible life hurdles. Whether those are related to general business growth, or specific knotty topics one comes across in tech companies, such as navigating complex fundraising rounds, Ciara brings rock solid coaching along with really out of the box thinking and creativity. I love how Ciara is always adjusting her style subtly yet powerfully to drive the most out of our sessions.

Jonathan Morton and Bryony Robins, Royal Cornwall Museum

Ciara’s co-coaching has been inspiring and transformational. The museum was at a critical turning point, and Ciara helped us find clarity and direction in shaping our leadership journey and the future of the organisation. Her astute thoughtful prompts, kindness and well timed (and needed) humour make an empowering and revolutionary combination.

Abigail Viner, Director of Creative Programming and Engagement, Compton Verney

Ciara was an amazing coach. Her insights, active listening, humour and approachability enable me to be purposefully self-reflective, unlocking new thought processes and helping to clarify tricky situations.

James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO, Theatre Royal Plymouth

Ciara’s response to our brief was detailed, inquisitive and challenging. Her work not only delivered our intended outcomes but also recommended unexpected pathways for the future. The report [Ciara produced] was positively received by our trustees, our stakeholders and partners. Most of all, the report helped us clarify a direction of travel and renewed ambition.

Cathy Minett-Smith, Dean of Learning and Teaching, University of the West of England

Thank you Ciara for all your support during our coaching sessions. The blend of support and challenge was perfect for creating a laser sharp focus on priorities and decisions.

Lisa Vanstone, Managing Director, One Voice Media

Ciara is an absolute pleasure to work with – positive, warm and encouraging – and, crucially, really helps you understand, develop and achieve your goals. Each of my interactions with Ciara has ultimately resulted in hugely positive outcomes for me and the business overall. I can’t rate her highly enough.

Bryony Roberts, Artistic Director, Royal Cornwall Museum

I have been working with Ciara for over 2 years. When we started, my organisation was at a critical turning point, and Ciara helped us find clarity and direction in shaping our leadership journey and the future of the museum. Her astute, thoughtful promptness, kindness and well timed (and needed) humour make an empowering and revolutionary combination.

Emily Williams, former CEO, Theatre Bristol

It’s hard to describe how much I value Ciara and our work together. Her work with me as a coach through my first two years as CEO has significantly impacted on my success in this role and enabled me to achieve things I didn’t think possible. She has incredible intuition, an acute sense of where to coax and where to hold back. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

Testimonials

What people Say

Recent clients include...

How to leave your job well​

As a coach working with senior leaders, I often find myself in conversations about career transitions - especially around how to leave a job well. Whether you're contemplating a move or in the midst of one, the way you exit can have a lasting impact on your colleagues, your employer, and, perhaps most importantly, on how you feel about the experience. Here are a few reflections on what you might want to consider to make sure you leave your role in the best way possible. 1. Tidy up your professional spaceBefore you go, put your house in order - both literally and metaphorically – if you can. Whilst it can be tempting to leave the files you haven’t touched for years (yes that’s been me in the past!) for someone else to sort, it’s worth taking the time to clear out your digital and physical files, ensuring everything that needs to be handed over is properly organised. Resolve any outstanding issues that only you can address. Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, in Designing Your Work Life liken this to the responsible camper’s motto: "Leave the campsite better than you found it." By making things better before you leave, you set your team up for future success. 2. Finish strongIt’s tempting to mentally check out once your resignation is confirmed, but staying engaged until you leave is key. It shows your ongoing faith and interest in the organisation and the teams around you and helps maintain your professionalism and credibility. That doesn’t mean you have to work at 100 miles an hour though! You’ll find that your workload changes in the run up to your departure, particularly if you’re in one of the top roles. So also make the most of having a slightly slower pace that gives you some time to reflect on what you’re taking away from your time there. 3. Mark the momentFrom my experience of coaching many leaders as they leave their role, I know firsthand that lots of us feel uncomfortable with the idea of farewell parties, especially if you’re not one for the limelight. But endings are important – both for you and for your colleagues. They give all of you a chance to acknowledge the end of an era. If you’re in a senior leadership role, it’s unlikely you’re universally popular (no-one ever is!) but there will be many people who will have appreciated the way you’ve gone about your role and the impact you’ve had on them. So try not to shy away from celebrating your contributions and allowing others to express their appreciation. You might be surprised at how valued you are. When I’ve left organisations, I’ve often been really touched by the messages I’ve received. I’ve always kept those messages and always suggest to others that they keep them too. 4. Keep in touch - mindfullyLeave your contact details with those you genuinely want to keep in touch with, but be thoughtful about what kind of relationships you want to maintain after your departure. Whether you’re moving on to an exciting new opportunity or taking time out to reflect, relationships from your past job may still play a role in your future. 5. Embrace mixed emotionsEven if you’re eagerly anticipating your next move, leaving a job - especially after a long tenure - can stir up a range of emotions. You’re making an important transition – moving away from an identity you’ve held potentially for some time. It’s natural to feel unsettled by the move. Stay with the feelings if you can; you’ll emerge before too long with new energy and perspectives. If you’re thinking about changing jobs and would like to talk further, book a free 30 minute call with me or sign up to my regular newsletter to receive more hints and tips on business challenges.     

How to prioritise your leadership development (even when you’re short of time and budget)  

With the overwhelming number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) options out there, combined with the constant time and budget pressures we face, it’s easy to let your own growth as a leader fall to the bottom of the pile. Here are my top tips for making leadership development accessible and impactful:  The DIY retreat Taking yourself away for a day or – even better - overnight to reflect can be one of the best ways to gain clarity and perspective. I’ve found a DIY retreat (ideally somewhere in nature where you’re well taken care of) much more rewarding than more formal (and expensive) retreats. Consider bringing a trusted colleague or peer for part of it, so you can mix solo reflection time with ideas-sharing. If you’ve done your own DIY retreat, I’d love to hear where you went and how you found it. You can read more about my DIY retreat earlier this year here. Online courses If you’ve spoken to me recently, you’ve probably heard me rave about 'Erica Wolfe-Murray’s Domestika course on 'Intellectual Property for Creative Entrepreneurs'.  I know, intellectual property sounds dull, but Erica makes it incredibly engaging, accessible and relevant to you, whatever your role. And at £0.99, it’s a total bargain! I’ve also been doing the ‘Time Management with Oliver Burkeman’ course on BBC Maestro – progress has stalled sadly… of course due to lack of time 😉.  The value of books With a 25 year career spent surrounded by books, it’s probably no surprise that they remain my go-to for fresh ideas and new perspectives.   More often than not, I’ve found that investing £20 in a leadership book provides better long-term value than a course or conference that can easily cost ten times that. Some of the titles high on my wish list right now include:   Owen Eastwood: Belonging Bonnie Cheng: The Return on Kindness Terry Szuzplat: Say It WellRobin Dunbar: The Social Brain Nassim Nicholas Taleb: Anti-Fragile  I know from my own experience that it’s often hard to find the headspace to read so it’s worth giving audiobooks or podcasts a go too. (Pro tip: I always try to source my books from independent shops or libraries, Bookshop.org is a great option).  If you would like a book recommendation on a personal or leadership development topic, drop me an email. I’d genuinely love to share my own recommendations as well as add to my ever-growing To Be Read list so please send me your recommendations too!  Reflection Taking time for regular self-reflection can be a powerful yet often overlooked form of CPD. It helps you stay in tune with your goals, recognise patterns, and develop greater self-awareness - critical for senior leaders facing complex challenges. It’s a practice that I actively invest in – my Friday afternoon reviews of the week are welcome opportunities to reflect on a week that’s typically whizzed by!  My top tip? Buy yourself a beautiful notebook that’s totally separate from your work notebook and put time regularly in your diary to make it happen. Aim to make it a joy rather than a chore. If this feels too much, find a peer you like and trust and create a monthly or quarterly check in with them.  Next steps There’s so much you can do to develop yourself. You’ve probably heard me talk before about other CPD options, including action learning and coaching – two very effective leadership development tools to add to the list above.  Don’t let time, budget constraints or overwhelm stop you from investing in your development. If you’re finding it tough to prioritise your own development, you can now book a free half hour with me to do a mini-audit of your own learning and development. It might be just what you need to kickstart your leadership development, ready for 2025!    

Discover the Power of Action Learning

This year, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating transformative action learning sets with leaders across different industries. One set, hosted by Plymouth Culture with funding from Arts Council England, brought together five creative leaders committed to leading with empathy and care. Another, at the University of Exeter, engaged nine department managers exploring leadership across diverse teams. These sessions reminded me of the profound impact action learning has on leadership development. It’s one of the most effective tools for fostering self-discovery and collaborative problem-solving. Participants leave with fresh insights, actionable strategies, and stronger leadership skills. Whether you’re a senior leader in a charity, business, or creative enterprise, action learning can result in significant transformations for you and your team.  Here’s what recent participants had to say: "The action learning set has connected me with other peer leaders interested in placing care, kindness, and empathy at the centre of their practice. We have considered how care and empathy can be forefronted both in how we work with our teams, and in how we look after ourselves."  Anneliese Kesteven "I really liked the small group environment, sense of shared endeavour and ethos of safety and security.”   Tim Pithers “I have learned to be more rigorous when it comes to looking at how I am leading, to support my team in a much better way, and it has also helped me to tackle a bit of imposter syndrome”.  Francesca Hawkesworth And as a facilitator: “ I thought Ciara was a superb facilitator. She was calm, compassionate, and led by example. Although she was ever present, it never felt that she was intrusive and she allowed us the freedom to talk and listen."   Steve Bassett "Thank you, Ciara—it's been an inspiration! I found you to be gracious, compassionate, thoughtful, flexible... you created a container which held us and allowed us to be, and so much more."  Cathy Potter Plymouth Culture are in the process of evaluating the whole Creative Leadership programme so there will be more feedback in due course but, for now, here’s what they said: “Action Learning sets have been key to the success of our recent Creative Leadership programme. Ciara facilitated one set, as well as offering valuable advice and strategic input into the programme as a whole. Participants highlighted the action-oriented approach as a major boost to their confidence and development as creative leaders”.Hannah Harris, CEO, Plymouth Culture If you’re curious about action learning, this Training Journal article has more insights on how effective it can be as an impactful, but affordable, leadership development tool.  If you’d like to explore action learning for your team, feel free to book a call with me.    

...
...

 Latest News

Tate
Pavilion Dance South West
MIF
Ministry of Justice
Bristol City Council
Five Talents
KALEIDER
National Centre for Writing
Plymouth Culture
Little Bulb
UWE Bristol
Turner Contemporary
Traffic
PORTHCURNO
RCM
Durham Country Council
Public Libraries
Theatre Bristol
Liverpool Biennial
Sunderland City Council
Compton Verney Art gallery & Park
Exeter Northcott Theatre
barnsley metropolitan borough council
University of Liverpool
redcar and cleveland council
SERPENTINE
PCC
The Box
acava
herefordshire council
Sound and Music
Zabludowicz Collection
ARCADIA
Theatre-Royal-Plymouth
Literature Works
Turner Contemporary
Royal Shakespeare Company
Delt Shared Services
Royal Albert Memorial Museum - RAMM
Birmingham Museums
Awards for Young Musicians

hello@ciaraeastell.co.uk    |    07495 734887

Ciara Eastell Consulting | Providing consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services

PHONE

07495 734887

 

 

Contact Ciara.

Call or send a message

CONTACT VIA EMAIL

hello@ciaraeastell.co.uk

 

 

© Ciara Eastell Consulting Ltd is a company registered England and Wales (Company No. 11987350)

 

Privacy & Cookie Policy​

Website by GFIVEDESIGN
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ciara-eastell
Ciara Eastell Consulting | Providing consultancy, coaching, leadership and facilitation services
https://www.facebook.com/CiaraEastellConsultingAndCoaching/
https://www.instagram.com/ciaraeastell

Sign up to my newsletter here

Send

Thank You!

You have subscribed to the newsletter

Email:

This field is required.

Ciara Eastell | Consultancy Services

hello@ciaraeastell.co.uk    |    07495 734887

Ciara Eastell | Consultancy Services