My redundancy from VHA was not a huge surprise as I expected strategically that my role in internal communications would be centralised. However, unemployment was hardly what I wanted or needed. Particularly as I’d been headhunted to join Vodafone just six months earlier.

The coach assigned to me was Gill McDonald. She was comforting yet challenging in our initial phone meeting – we discussed the best way she could help and I found that flexibility positive during a time of flux.

Gill really helped clarify my thinking about options and encouraged me to share my rationale. We shared a lot of personal and professional reflections which I found really important and supportive, particularly as a working parent.

My situation then moved into a different space: I was asked to consider a new and bigger role in VHA in territory I hadn’t “officially” worked in before: HR. Gill guided me through the job description and I was able to openly discuss my strengths and weaknesses with her. I had doubts about the role and indeed, my suitability.

It was so helpful having her intellectual rigour, experience, insight and personal warmth at this critical point. It gave me a lot of confidence and clarity ahead of a successful interview.