The world is in transition. So are you.
Everything is shifting. What got you here won’t get you there.
I help leaders turn power into
Trust, Growth and Legacy.
Lead with character · Grow with courage · Build with purpose
Lead with character · Grow with courage · Build with purpose
Transitions don’t test what you know. They test who you are.
A bigger role. An organisation to transform. A business to build. A loss you didn’t choose. A chapter to close.
In every one of them, Power shifts. Character decides how you hold it. Courage decides what you do with it.
I help leaders turn power into trust, growth and legacy.
What do you do when what got you here stops working?
A bigger role. An organisation to transform. A business to build. A loss you didn’t choose. A chapter to close.
Every transition brings you to a crossroads. The decision in front of you can’t wait, and everyone expects you to have the answer. And underneath it all are the questions you can’t say out loud: Am I still the right person for this? Who am I now?
In every transition, Power shifts. Character decides how you hold it. Courage decides what you do with it.
My mission is to help leaders, future leaders and entrepreneurs meet that crossroads with clarity and courage, and move forward more powerful, and more fully themselves.
Everyone is welcome here. I bring particular care to leaders who have had to work harder to belong, because I know that path too.
Transitions don’t test what you know. They test who you are.
What holds you through a transition?
Transitions are rarely neat. Sitting with leaders at their crossroads, and standing at my own, I kept seeing the same eight foundations being tested, with mindset running through them all. I call them Foundations That Hold.
Sit with each question. Which one stops you?
Mindset
Is the chaos of this transition running you, or are you choosing how you meet it?
In chaos, the mind reaches for threat. But victory is not an outcome; it is a mindset. We cultivate one that is prosperous and triumphant, because how you see the crossroads shapes how you cross it.
Inner authority and stewardship
Whose voice is really making your decisions right now? And when did you last trust your own?
Everyone has a view on the choices in front of you, and the louder they get, the harder it is to hear your own. We find your centre again, so you choose for yourself and hold your power on behalf of others.
Alignment
When the people around you want different things from this change, can you bring them with you without losing yourself?
Change splits people, and you feel the pull from every side. We find the shared direction that holds, even when people disagree.
Confidence
When did you start doubting the person who got you here?
Transitions are full of ambiguity, and certainty rarely arrives in time. Confidence is trusting your judgement anyway: being discerning, making the best decision you can with what you know, and letting go of what you cannot control.
Readiness
Are you preparing for what is coming, or hoping you will work it out when it arrives?
Every new chapter asks for something the last one did not. We name it early and prepare for it, so it does not ambush you halfway through.
Capability
What is this transition asking of you that you have never had to create before?
Transitions ask for new thinking, not more of the same. We find the skills, creativity and support this moment needs, so it becomes doable rather than heroic.
Engagement
Have you quietly checked out, and not admitted it, even to yourself?
Checking out is often how we protect ourselves when change wears us down. We reconnect you with what matters, so you, and the people around you, can choose to be all in.
Communication
In all this uncertainty, what do people need to hear from you that you are afraid to say?
Uncertainty makes people go quiet, and leaders most of all. Often we simply do not know what to say, so we reach for words that sound polished and ring hollow. We find your own voice for the hard conversations, honest and human, and build the trust that brings the truth back to you.
A short diagnostic shows which of your foundations are holding and which need attention. Explore the foundations
Get to Know Me
Different seats. Different lenses.
An insider’s experience, with an outsider’s eyes.
An insider’s experience. I started as a trainee at Deloitte and worked my way up, holding different seats as an executive and then as a non-executive. I led audit and risk at SABMiller across 80 countries and at Travelex across 40, and served on the boards of Grant Thornton UK and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Today I am an independent non-executive director at BSW Hospitals Group, where I chair the Group Risk and Assurance Committee, and I chair the Risk and Finance Committee at Blossom, a charity. I know how power works at the top table, and what it asks of the people who hold it.
An outsider’s eyes. I grew up under apartheid and have rarely fitted the mould, finding my own way into rooms that were not built for people like me. I know what it is to be different when you would rather blend in, and to navigate it on your own terms. It taught me to see what others miss, and to meet people with real empathy. In 2014 I was recognised in the Financial Times’ list of the top 100 LGBTQ+ leaders, for my work on inclusion.
What that means for you. Most coaches understand people. Most advisers understand numbers. I bring both. As a chartered accountant and board member, I know how finance, governance and risk really work, and what is at stake when they go wrong. As a coach, I know what it costs the person in the chair. I read the numbers, and I read the room.
Now I bring all of it to leaders in transition, as a coach, mentor, adviser and keynote speaker.
“Faried is a fantastic coach! I didn’t really know what to expect when I started coaching sessions, I was hopeful that Faried would appreciate some of the unique challenges that I face because we shared some similar aspects to our identities. I was blown away by his empathy and commitment to me and the process. Faried remembered small details of my life and experience and continued to tailor his approach as he learnt more about me. Faried opened my eyes to how I am in charge of my narrative both professionally and personally.”
Rey Ahmed
Director – Business Development & LGBTQ+ Network Chair (Financial Services, London, UK)
“Faried has been a fantastic coach for me. A journey of consciously discovering my values, brand, goals, challenges & leadership skills has been an eye-opener. It has been helping me to be a better leader, take decisions confidently, reduce stress, bring intentionality to my actions & the ultimate feeling of fulfilment in all aspects of my life.”
Puneet Kumar Arora
Global Programme Director (Financial Services, Singapore)
“I first started working with Faried during an extremely challenging period at work, which was amplified by a lot of change and uncertainty. During the 6 months in which we worked together, Faried was truly my north star, providing invaluable advice, motivation, and guidance. His compassionate approach, authentic nature and strategic ability really challenged my thinking, turning problems into viable, practical solutions, that resulted in very positive outcomes for me personally. Whilst working with Faried I have grown in confidence, and I have learnt my value. I now feel confidently inspired and empowered, which has helped provide greater clarity about myself as a person and my future career goals.
I cannot speak highly enough of my time working with Faried and would encourage anyone who wants to make a difference in their workplace to start their journey with him!”
Mark Thomas
Head of Marketing (Media, London, UK)
“I can say with absolute certainty that my experience of executive coaching and mentoring from Faried has exceeded my expectations in a manner that I could not even begin to imagine. The reasons for this are two. First, it was evident from the outset that Faried has the structure, experience, knowledge, and credibility to add significant value as my executive coach. Second, Faried’s experience is underpinned by his integrity, razor-sharp intellect, empathy, and unyielding passion for what he does. For these reasons (amongst others) Faried is able to help one get to the core of who one is, what one wants and how one can establish one’s own framework for bringing this to life. I am not subject to hyperbole, but for me this was a life changing experience and for those looking for the next step in their career but are not sure as to how they take it, then this is the route for them.
I cannot recommend Faried’s service highly enough. If you want guidance that will help you take the next step in your career, I implore you to consider Faried as your executive coach. You will not regret it.”
Sennay Zerihun
Global Account Manager – Enterprise and Technology Sector (Technology, Manchester, UK)
“Faried is an exceptional coach who has helped me to identify my strengths and have the courage to use them. Working with Faried has helped me immeasurably in all aspects of my life. He has challenged the way that I think, so that I am more intentional with my choices and daily behaviours. Working with Faried has enabled me to gain clarity over my goals and I now feel empowered to shape my future.”
Shazia Ahmed
Director Regulatory Compliance (Financial Services, London, UK)
“I worked with Faried for 6 months during a time when I had just started a new leadership role and my employer was going through structural changes. The experience truly changed how I was able to approach each challenge, whether internal or external. He was an exceptional listener; picking up on what was said but also unsaid. His insightful questions and calm demeanour created a safe yet challenging environment for deeper discussions; I was able to grow and realize my own potential and learnt to understand and manage imposter syndrome. A year since we started the coaching, I feel like a completely different person and I can see that my team have felt the benefits and been empowered vicariously; I feel stronger as an individual, manager, and leader. I’ve been able to reflect on my leadership style, my values, and focus my actions on a practical way to drive progress through our organisation’s transformation, and my own career. I cannot stress enough how much I valued the dedicated time with Faried. Thank you.”
Ameya Shah
Senior Finance Director (Media, London, UK)
“Working with Faried has been a transformative experience. His personalised coaching approach has helped me gain clarity, focus, and confidence in both my personal and professional life. Faried’s genuine care for my growth and his ability to guide and challenge me in a supportive manner has resulted in profound self-discovery and meaningful change. I highly recommend Faried to anyone seeking to unlock their potential and achieve their goals.”
Julius Kirumira
Head of Audit, UK and Europe (Financial Services, London, UK)
Services
Transition Coaching
Rising Leaders
Belonging and Inclusive Leadership
Board Advisory and Keynote Speaking
Why Coaching?
The secret source to success for individuals and teams alike!
Coaching and mentoring can significantly impact the professional development of diverse professionals and executives. Some of the benefits of coaching and mentoring include the following:
Be your
authentic self
Improve your
Performance
Increase your
Confidence
Expand your Networks
Advance in your career
& manage your career
Transitions
Improve your Work-
Life Balance
Lead and be the
Change
How We Work Together
Every engagement is bespoke, co-designed with you around the crossroads in front of you. It starts with a free 30-minute Crossroads Session, then runs in three stages: Design, where we set your goals and take your diagnostic baseline; Coach, a six-session Focus or a twelve-session Sprint; and Review, where we see what has moved and make the gains last.
And part of the magic is in the pause: questioning assumptions and exploring alternatives, so every decision to move forward is considered, not reactive.
Get to Know Me
Different seats. Different lenses.
An insider’s experience, with an outsider’s eyes.
An insider’s experience. I started as a trainee at Deloitte and worked my way up, holding different seats as an executive and then as a non-executive. I led audit and risk at SABMiller across 80 countries and at Travelex across 40, and served on the boards of Grant Thornton UK and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Today I am an independent non-executive director at BSW Hospitals Group, where I chair the Group Risk and Assurance Committee, and I chair the Risk and Finance Committee at Blossom, a charity. I know how power works at the top table, and what it asks of the people who hold it.
An outsider’s eyes. I grew up under apartheid and have rarely fitted the mould, finding my own way into rooms that were not built for people like me. I know what it is to be different when you would rather blend in, and to navigate it on your own terms. It taught me to see what others miss, and to meet people with real empathy. In 2014 I was recognised in the Financial Times’ list of the top 100 LGBTQ+ leaders, for my work on inclusion.
What that means for you. Most coaches understand people. Most advisers understand numbers. I bring both. As a chartered accountant and board member, I know how finance, governance and risk really work, and what is at stake when they go wrong. As a coach, I know what it costs the person in the chair. I read the numbers, and I read the room.
Now I bring all of it to leaders in transition, as a coach, mentor, adviser and keynote speaker.