Meet Our Team

Sarah is Ascent's lead executive coach with 15 years of experience working with FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 leaders. A former director herself, she brings first-hand knowledge of the pressures and complexity facing senior leaders today. Sarah specialises in supporting executives navigating high-stakes transitions, building boards that function at their best, and helping talented leaders step into their full authority with clarity and confidence.

James draws on 12 years of coaching experience and a background in professional theatre to help leaders find their authentic voice and communicate with real impact. He is an EMCC Senior Practitioner who has worked with leaders across financial services, technology, healthcare, and the public sector. James is particularly sought after for preparing leaders for high-visibility moments: keynotes, board presentations, and media appearances.

Dr. Rachel Hughes combines a rigorous academic grounding in organisational psychology with a decade of applied coaching practice. Her PhD research focused on resilience and psychological safety in high-pressure workplace environments. Rachel integrates validated psychometric tools — including Hogan, 360-degree feedback, and emotional intelligence assessments — into her coaching to create deep, evidence-informed self-awareness and lasting behavioural change.

As a CMI Fellow and Chartered Manager, Marcus brings a uniquely practical perspective to team and leadership development. With eight years coaching and facilitating across manufacturing, retail, and professional services, he excels at helping leadership teams address entrenched dysfunction and rebuild the trust, accountability, and shared purpose needed for sustained high performance. Marcus is a certified Lencioni Five Dysfunctions of a Team practitioner.

Claire is a passionate advocate for unlocking the potential of professionals who hold themselves back. As an ICF ACC coach with seven years' experience, she specialises in helping mid-career and senior professionals overcome imposter syndrome, rebuild confidence after setbacks, and navigate significant career transitions. Claire has a particular interest in supporting women into and within senior leadership roles and regularly facilitates leadership development programmes for this audience.

With 18 years of executive coaching experience and an MBA from London Business School, David is one of the most experienced coaches in Ascent's team. He has worked with CEOs, CFOs, and non-executive directors across four continents, specialising in the unique challenges of global leadership, board-level performance, and leading through transformation. David's coaching blends systemic thinking with deep personal insight to create change at the highest levels of organisations.