National Coaching Awards 2025: Reflections from a Mentor of the Year Finalist
7 February 2025
Last week, I had the absolute privilege of attending the National Coaching Conference & National Coaching Awards in Birmingham – not only as a delegate, but also as a finalist for Mentor of the Year.
When the finalist announcement landed late last year, I felt an enormous sense of gratitude. Every day, I’m lucky enough to work with incredible female leaders and professionals – helping them amplify their voices, showcase their achievements, and step confidently into the recognition they deserve. Their courage and brilliance is the reason I do this work, and their success is what continues to inspire me. Being shortlisted for this award felt like a celebration of their journeys just as much as mine.
The build-up
I headed to Birmingham with excitement (and a rare excuse to get dressed up!). The day began at the Future of Coaching conference, which brought together an inspiring line-up of speakers including Gus Bhandal, Alex Merry, Sam Bramwell, Daniel Priestley, Bev Thorogood, Mark Reynolds, and Jonathan Peach.
Each offered fresh, practical insights – from podcasting strategies and corporate perspectives to mindset shifts and tackling the “LinkedIn ick.” by the brilliant Gus, who is a friend and brilliant LinkedIn Trainer.
It wasn’t just about the learning though. The warmth of the community struck me right away. I was reunited with my ex-colleague and travel buddy Angela Spencer (who went on to win Life Coach of the Year – huge congratulations!), finally met my colleague Roz Hobley in person, and got to cheer on business coach Kate Davis as she passed on her National Coach of the Year title.
The Awards
Walking into the awards ceremony as a non-coach, I’ll admit, I initially felt a flicker of imposter syndrome. Did I really belong in a room filled with so many established coaches and industry leaders? That doubt quickly disappeared. The energy was inclusive, uplifting, and celebratory.
Although I didn’t take home the award, I was genuinely thrilled to see Pascale Rochefeuille crowned Mentor of the Year. Her work is inspirational and so impactful in her communities – a truly deserving winner. Watching Angela win her category and seeing so many colleagues and peers recognised was just as meaningful as being up there myself.
What I took away
The conference and awards reminded me of something powerful: running a business can sometimes feel isolating, but spaces like this prove that we are never truly alone. Being surrounded by passionate, values-driven professionals – each on their own journey to create positive change – left me feeling re-energised and proud of the business I’ve built.
I didn’t bring home a trophy this time, but I left with something even more valuable:
💫 New connections who I know will become part of my network going forward
💫 Fresh ideas to support my clients even better
💫 A renewed sense of motivation to continue helping brilliant women showcase their expertise and step into the recognition they deserve
Why this matters for my work today
Attending the National Coaching Awards wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a powerful reminder of why I do what I do. My mission is to support brilliant women to:
👉 Gain the recognition they deserve for their expertise and impact.
👉 Reinvent how they show up online, stepping past self-doubt and into visibility with confidence.
👉 Build the renown that cements them as thought leaders and changemakers in their industries.
The awards were a celebration of exactly this, and I left feeling even more committed to helping more women step into their spotlight.
