EXECUTIVE & MATERNITY COACH
FOR HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES PROFESSIONALS
About Rachel
I’m an experienced leader and qualified coach, currently based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. I specialise in 1:1 executive, maternity, and parental transition coaching for professionals working in the healthcare and life sciences sector — both locally and across the UK.
Whether you're stepping into a leadership role, returning to work after parental leave or navigating career changes while balancing family life, I provide coaching at key personal and professional transition points to help you grow with confidence and clarity.
Sector & Leadership Experience
After completing a degree in Biochemistry, I began my career in healthcare management — first as a hospital manager, then as a consultant and leader in life sciences consulting. Most recently, I served as Chief Operating Officer at a mid-sized health economics and outcomes research consultancy.
Across these roles, I’ve led teams, built strategies and worked closely with professionals whose day-to-day work impacts patient care and population health. This experience has shaped my understanding of the complex, high-stakes environments my coaching clients operate in.
Coaching Background
My leadership approach has always centred around people, supporting, encouraging and challenging them to reach their full potential. I formally qualified as a coach eight years ago and went on to design and implement internal coaching programmes in two of my previous organisations. I’ve also delivered pro-bono coaching for third-sector initiatives and charities, further reinforcing my belief in coaching as a powerful tool for growth, purpose and fulfilment.
At the same time I was undertaking my coaching qualification, I also became a parent for the second time. Alongside colleagues who were beginning their own parenting journeys, I saw first-hand the challenges working parents face. This led me to create a maternity coaching programme to support women towards the end of their pregnancy as they planned to become a parent and start maternity leave, with all the significant change that that involves; preparing for and returning to work and finding a new identity and way of working as a working parent, and helping them navigate the ongoing emotional and practical realities of managing both career and family.
Today
Through Nidd Valley Consulting Ltd, I now hold a portfolio of roles within healthcare and life sciences as a charity trustee, consultant and executive coach. Coaching remains at the heart of what I do, where I offer a thinking space for professionals to pause, reflect and move forward with clarity.
Whether you're preparing for a new leadership role, stepping into a new identity as a working parent or trying to find that elusive balance between career and family, I’m here to support you through the journey.
How to work with me
Initial Call
We will start with a conversation to explore your goals and challenges, and see if my coaching is the right fit for you.
Coaching Journey
You’ll receive a coaching plan tailored to your stage, role or needs. Aligning your skills for new leadership challenges, returning to work as a parent, or balancing career and family.
Clarity & Confidence
Through structured, supportive coaching conversations, with the appropriate amount of challenge, you’ll move forward with purpose — as a grounded leader, a thriving working parent, or both.