Board and Executive Coaching Team

Bev White | Managing Director, HR Consulting

Bev joined Penna in 2002. In just eight years she led our Career Transition business into the number one position in the UK market place in the private sector. She has accountability for leading the continuous design, development and delivery of the Career Transition services. Bev was made Managing Director, HR Consulting in 2009, which encompasses Career Transition, Training and Development, Board and Executive Coaching and Performance and Change Consulting Solutions.

Bev’s earlier career included seven years as CIO of NtL and prior to that as Director I.T. for Schlumberger. Today, she is President of the UK Association of Career Firms and of the European Board for the Association of Career Firms. In her work, she is passionate about innovating to make sure that our services are relevant for our clients and add real value to their business.

Alistair Nee | Board and Executive Coach

Alistair Nee coaches people in organisations who are working out 'how to be' and 'how to do what will make them successful now’. His holistic approach is informed by a leadership and boardroom career spanning 30 years, shaped by extensive and ongoing training as an Executive Behaviours Coach and is individually tailored to every client.

Annie Richardson | Board and Executive Coach

Annie has been a coach and facilitator for the past 12 years. She has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors and a strong practical business orientation. Annie’s passion for people drives her real desire to help them achieve their full potential and her exceptional listening skills make her a very effective coach, incisive and direct, driving to the heart of issues.

Darren Robson | Head of Innovation Board and Executive Coach

Darren is a board and executive coach, a senior executive advisor, a speaker and an author. He specialises in working with CEO and senior executive teams in building coaching cultures and planning their approach to leading and managing through turbulent and challenging times. An honorary life fellow of the Association for Coaching, he has won their Influencing the Coaching industry award for his work and contribution to enhancing the professionalism of the coaching industry. Darren has eight years’ experience in consulting and coaching roles in the corporate, public and consulting sectors. He has a strong organisational change leadership/consultancy background, having worked in Deloitte’s Organisation and Change practice and having run his own niche entrepreneurial consultancy practice. He played a key role in developing a number of Deloitte’s go to market propositions including their talent and leadership proposition. He has a Masters in Innovation from Cranfield university and a 1st class honours degree in engineering and business management.

Declan Woods | Director, Board and Executive Coaching

Declan is an accredited Executive Coach and developer of leaders with a 20 year track record delivering change that sticks with people and organisations. As a Director, he helped build Penna Board and Executive Coaching into a highly successful UK market-leading coaching team. Declan specialises in coaching experienced and successful leaders identified by their organization as highly talented to operate at the top of their game and reach their full potential. His commitment to rigorous, high quality coaching lead him to designing the Association for Coaching’s Executive Coach accreditation to Master coach level.

Deena Gornick | Board and Executive Coach

Specialising in presence, gravitas, authenticity, presentation, and confidence, Deena Gornick utilises her professional experience as a performer and theatre director to aid executive men and women to enhance their presence and their courage. Together with her clients she co-creates a productive atmosphere of levity and laughter which to her is of high value. Deena is a qualified EQi assessor, an NLP Practioner, and a trained psychotherapist.

Dr. Ruth Smith | Board and Executive Coach

Ruth is a highly experienced and well qualified Board/Executive Coach and facilitator. She is passionate about making a sustainable difference for her clients and believes that real and meaningful transformation happens for people through working at a deeper level to identify and develop what drives their successful behaviour and diminishing those behaviours/beliefs that may limit their success. Ruth has found that clients achieve exceptional results for both themselves and their organisation when they are operating authentically and at their personal best, particularly when this is aligned with a clear purpose and direction for their life as a whole. Organisations regularly return to Ruth as a result of the positive impact she has achieved with their people. Ruth’s clients have described her as someone who rapidly builds trust and is highly supportive; enabling her to be both challenging and direct, encouraging them out of their comfort zone and inspiring and energising them to make the changes they want to fulfil their potential, achieve their personal best and make the maximum organisational impact.

Georgina Woudstra | Board and Executive Coach

Georgina works internationally with CEOs and board directors to achieve greater Success, Fulfilment and Legacy. She has a strong track record across all sectors and a strong reputation for her work with individual executives, boards and top teams. A successful entrepreneur, Georgina founded and grown many diverse businesses during her career, embracing fashion, transport, accounting, technology and management consultancy. Co-author or “Coaching Global Top Teams” in Leadership in Coaching (Kogan Page), she has 17 years experience in her field. At the top of her game, she works with just 10 senior executives at any time. Clients who are ambitious, determined, and focused seek Georgina to enable them to lead with greater authenticity, conviction and courage.

Jane Adshead-Grant | Board and Executive Coach

Jane is an Executive and Career coach who combines her experience and passion for facilitating the development of others in reaching their personal and professional aspirations. Her clients are those who seek personal growth and results for themselves and their business. Jane’s work enables others to take control of their destiny and develop greater resilience in the face of change. Jane has over 20 years experience working in the City of London, within Professional and Financial Services from HR Generalist to HR Director. Jane’s leadership helps others define their personal and professional vision, set clear goals and achieve their aspirations. She is results focused and supports others to see possibilities.

Jane Emmanuel | Senior Master Coach

Jane has coached for the past eight years, working with professionals to develop their executive presence and leadership potential. She is passionate about authentic leadership and supporting individuals to step beyond their comfort zones. Her coaching accreditations and expertise are supported by 20 years' experience of business development, sales and commercial management in the IT Services sector. She was formerly an Account Director with Capgemini responsible for key accounts. She believes in working with clients from the inside, raising awareness and choice. Jane offers insightful feedback and challenge in an encouraging and supportive style. As Penna’s senior master coach, Jane is responsible for coach quality and standards, coach matching and coach supervision.