Bird&Co

“Isabel brings a rare depth of expertise and experience to coaching that only comes from directly advising, coaching and placing many top board-level leaders. She creates trust and conﬁdentiality, encouraging an open, honest conversation. And she doesn’t hold back in pushing and asking the tough questions – which is how change happens.

Isabel helped increase my conﬁdence in the value I bring to my organisation. To grasp the complementary skills and people needed to build a powerful team, through a deeper understanding of inclusive leadership."

“Isabel is without doubt one of the best coaches I have worked with during my career. What makes her different is her relentless, yet elegant, approach to helping me recognise my strengths and weaknesses. Its hard work to get me to open up and Isabel does not let me off the hook, with her challenging, searching and ultimately revealing questions. Being able to recognise and talk through my leadership characteristics has been hugely beneficial in helping me navigate all those opportunities and challenges that come with corporate life.”

Isabel is the founder and CEO of Bird & Co Group and operates the Coaching House, a strengths-based coaching firm, and Bird & Co Boardrooms. With over two decades of experience coaching and advising Chairs, CEOs, NEDs, and C-suite executives, she is a trusted authority in leadership development. Isabel is particularly renowned for preparing and placing first-time female NEDs in FTSE 350 companies.

Insightful and persuasive, Isabel integrates psychological insight with strategic business acumen, guiding her clients toward both professional success and personal fulfilment. Her approach transcends traditional performance metrics, fostering leadership resilience and adaptability in dynamic business environments.

Drawing on extensive entrepreneurial business experience, Isabel delivers fresh, clear-sighted perspectives to leaders navigating complex challenges. Her client portfolio spans FTSE 350 companies, private enterprises, and PE-backed ventures across media and technology, consumer goods, banking, and professional services.

A British-American dual national based in London, Isabel graduated with distinction from the American University School of Business. She is a certified Meyler Campbell 'Mastered' one-to-one business coach accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, MBTI Step I & Step II qualified practitioner and a Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument practitioner. Additionally, she is certified in Positive Psychology: Martin Seligman's Visionary Science and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School. She is also a Member of the Media Advisory Board at Wyvern Partners, Corporate Finance.

Bird & Co was established in London in 1981 to deliver board and executive search to clients around the world. Since then, we have evolved to become a broader leadership consultancy also offering non-executive and executive coaching and mentoring through our sister company: The Coaching House.

We have always been ahead of the curve, whether it be on gender diversity on boards or on-boarding for new NEDs with mentoring and coaching. We are still evolving, driven by the needs of our clients in a rapidly changing market. We are constantly thinking of ways to improve what we do.

Bird & Co has always been ahead of the curve.
We never stand still. We anticipate what’s around the next corner. Our past informs our future without holding us back. One of the first boutique and board C-suite coaching companies in the UK, we’re proud of our thought leadership and groundbreaking achievements.
We are one of the earliest adopters of behavioural science and positive psychology in business coaching. We pioneered dedicated programmes to prepare first-time female NEDs and Chairs for FTSE 350 boards. Our previous experience in executive search helped shape a unique perspective on coaching, particularly for female talent.
Today, we remain at the forefront of an ever-evolving sector, helping Chairs, CEOs, NEDs, Board Directors and C-suite executives through an innovative blend of coaching and mentoring.
For us, success isn’t about playing catch-up. It’s about getting you ahead of the curve.

Exceptional board and leadership coaching

Exceptional leaders need exceptional support to stay ahead of the curve. As the testimonials on this website show, we know how to help business people make that vital stretch.
First, we identify our clients’ strengths and find ways to make them even stronger. We pinpoint any roadblocks and navigate a way through them together. We ask the difficult questions that need to be asked and challenge sacred cows — carefully but directly, and then we formulate compelling answers.
Our tailored leadership programmes are based on a profound understanding of human behaviour and hands-on commercial experience. They are co-created with you, so you can get the most out of them.
Coaching is personal. So, it makes sense to define and measure success differently for each client, setting out agreed criteria at the start of the programme. We use quantitative and qualitative tools, including: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Step I & Step II, VIA Strengths Instrument, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, 360, FIRO-B.

We have a track record of partnering with our clients to develop an individual’s skills in thinking, behaving and communicating in ways that significantly contribute to their impact and effectiveness as board members.
Our board coaching is highly customised and aimed at achieving high impact in short duration. It involves working closely with the leaders and stakeholders to identify the characteristics, strengths and limitations of current ways of working, hone in on the most important goals for the team's success going forward and align around an aspirational vision for optimal teamwork. We facilitate team discussions that are aimed at raising awareness, fostering cooperation and driving mutual commitment to results and a joint way forward. Individual team members feel empowered to contribute to the best of their abilities and fully step into their roles. We then identify and reinforce team dynamics that genuinely serve the team's purpose, while refining those that do not, and help the team develop more constructive ways of working.

Ultimately, the team is provided with practical tools to monitor their collective work, ensuring they can sustain high performance, maintain open communication, and cultivate a positive, mutually reinforcing culture, operating at a level that is greater than the sum of its parts in a short time.

Ready to Board Programme

Ready to Board puts aspiring Non-Executive Directors ahead of the curve as they prepare for their first board appointment.
Securing a first board is highly competitive, so it’s important to differentiate your experience and achievements. Ready to Board occupies a unique position at the convergence of coaching, mentoring and search.
We focus on the beliefs, behaviours and purpose of aspiring NEDs, as much as their background, knowledge and fit for FTSE or other boards. As well as showcasing what you can bring to the board, we’ll help you consider the insights you want to take back to your day job.
Our programme is tried, trusted and tailored to individual needs. Carefully conceived and structured, it focuses on your personal and professional story helping you tell it with confidence, clarity and conviction. Together, we deep dive into your expectations and ambitions, so we can shape and write your NED CV together and target your ideal company boards.
Our mentors are practising FTSE 350 board members, who will cover governance, financials and the theatre of the boardroom. They are perfectly placed to advise on any gaps as they assess your needs, and will also provide networking and NED CV evaluation support.