About Us
Ford Consulting was established in 2001 by Liz Ford. We work with both corporate and private clients aiming to enhance their performance capability by fostering potential, nurturing belief and inspiring excellence.
We do this through:
Our approach is realistic and practical so we work with key issues in a way that ensures the solutions you identify can genuinely be implemented and sustained.
How we work
All of the assignments that Ford Consulting undertakes consist of four stages:
- Listen
- Develop
- Deliver
- Review
First we listen to you. Whether you are an individual wanting career coaching or an organisation looking to implement large scale change we will discuss your needs, your challenges, your apprehensions, your suggestions, your desires and your aspirations.
This gives us a clear idea of what you want to achieve, how you’d like to do it and how we can help.
Hopefully we will feel capable of delivering what you need ourselves, but if we think you’d be better speaking to someone else we’ll willingly refer you on to the people we think can meet your needs best.
Secondly we develop interventions specifically to meet your requirements. Now that we know what you want we’ll work on a bespoke programme. This might involve one or a mix of the services we offer. We’ll take into consideration work you’ve already done, and where possible work in partnership with you to align our interventions with existing programmes or planned events.
Next we deliver quality interventions in a professional manner. Whether we’re delivering one to one coaching or a leadership development programme for a group of managers we aim to make it relevant, fun, participative and engaging. We use a variety of tools and techniques to get you thinking and above all learning.
We pride ourselves on being flexible enough to work with what emerges whilst still achieving what we set out to do.Finally we review what we’ve delivered. We look at how well it’s been received, what impact it’s had on those involved and their performance and, where required, we’ll work with you to measure bottom line impact too.
We seek and welcome feedback regarding all of our services and interventions, being ever keen to learn what we do really well and where we can improve further.Our Associates
Our associates are experienced managers and leaders from a variety of public and private sector backgrounds. They have been chosen because of their high levels of expertise, their flexible and creative ways of working and their enthusiasm for developing others. They are also great fun to work with!
They are all qualified coaches and members of the Association for Coaching and or the European Coaching and Mentoring Council. They undertake regular supervision and keep themselves up to date with a variety of continuing professional development initiatives. To read more about our individual associates please click the names below.
Who I am and what I do
I am a qualified and accredited executive coach, a creative trainer and an experienced action learning set facilitator. I founded Ford Consulting in 2001 and have been successfully helping managers to develop their leadership potential ever since.
More recently I have undertaken training to become a coaching supervisor and thoroughly enjoy my work supporting and developing coaches either working independently or within organisations.
As well as running Ford Consulting I am an Associate Tutor for Personal Development on the full time and distance learning MBA courses at Bradford University School of Management.
I am an active member of the Association for Coaching and chair the West Yorkshire Co-coaching forum as well as being a Regional Co-coaching Forum Manger.
Background
Prior to setting up Ford Consulting I spent ten years both nursing and managing in the NHS before moving into clinical training in the Healthcare Industry. From here I progressed to the role of UK Training and Development Manager for a large global dialysis company.
The skills which I developed during my nursing career enable me to build strong working relationships quickly. However my sound commercial background ensures that I am not afraid to challenge my corporate clients to seize their potential and heighten their performance.
Interests
When I’m not working I’m usually taxiing children to various activities or social events but when I’m able I enjoy walking in the hills, reading crime novels or listening to music. I also sing with a local choir and love going to the theatre.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching Supervision
Centre for Supervision Training (in progress) - Accredited Coach
Association for Coaching - Postgraduate Certificate in Executive & Business Coaching
PB Coaching & Leeds Met University - CIPD Training & Development Specialist Electives
Manchester Open Learning - Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Henley School of Management - BSC (Hons) in Nursing Studies
Leeds Met University - Registered General Nurse
Guy’s Hospital, London
Professional Memberships
- Association for Coaching
Full Member - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Licentiate Member
Who I am and what I do
I am a qualified and accredited executive coach, coach supervisor, organisational consultant and experienced facilitator in Action Learning and Group dynamics.
Background
I began my working life delivering customer services within the financial sector. Following a career break to raise my children, I set up my own business in events catering. Since then I have been involved in advice work, physical therapy and service development. Through these experiences I recognised the benefits of people playing to their strengths in enabling successful outcomes for customers and business alike. I have continued to work with a diverse client group from private, public and voluntary sectors.
I convey a ‘whole’ perspective and systemic way of approaching the many different challenges and contexts of our working lives. I offer a long standing experience in working with political, ethical and cultural change.
I am currently representing the Association for Coaching as Lead on Coaching Supervision, and also on the National Collaborative Steering Group which is developing standards for Coach/Mentor Supervision with other Coaching Bodies (ICF, EMCC, APECS ).
Interests
I enjoy walking and noticing nature in all its many facets. A real treat is to be shown new walks within my familiar surroundings. Socialising with family and friends brings much pleasure and I enjoy the challenge of creating new dishes to surprise them!Qualifications
- Cultural Transformation Tools Training
Richard Barrett Associates - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
OPP Oxford - Diploma in Life Coaching
Newcastle College - Diploma in Performance Coaching
Newcastle College - Certificate in Life Coaching
Newcastle College - Certificate in Developmental Alliance in Coaching, Mentoring & Supervision
Oasis School - Certificate in Supervision of Psychological Therapists
Bradford & Ilkley College - Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Stockton Centre & University of Wales - Postgraduate Diploma in Hakomi Method of bodied centred Psychotherapy
Hakomi Inst, USA - Diploma in Humanistic Psychology, Facilitator Styles and Community Participation
IDHP - The Further and Adult Education Teachers Certificate
City & Guilds - Certificate in Assertiveness Training for Trainers
Gael Lindenfield - Certificate Physical Therapist
International Therapy Examination Council
Professional Memberships
- Association for Coaching
Founding member - Association for Management and Education
Full Member - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Accredited Supervisor and Psychotherapist
Our Partners
We are pleased to be able to offer the following additional services through our partnership with 3D Coaching:
- Accredited coaching skills training
- Action learning set facilitation training
- Team development through art
- Conflict transformation and mediation
Client Testimonials
I can honestly recommend coaching to anyone who needs time to step back from the minutia of work and to reflect on their own specific objectives.
Chris Tomlinson, Senior Manager, Local Authority
Anyone who enters a coaching programme thinking that the coach will provide the answers is plain wrong. However Liz enabled me to find the answers from within which turned out to be a much more satisfying achievement!
Head of Waste Operations, Local Authority
I have found the time spent with Liz incredibly useful. It has been invaluable to have time away from my normal working day to explore issues. I have changed the way I work and moved forward in my career as a result of these sessions.
Regional Fundraising Volunteer Strategy Manager, Sue Ryder
Liz helped me see my full capability, giving me confidence to achieve appointment to the Board post
Chief Nurse & Quality Officer, NHS North Derbyshire CCG
As the process was so open and personal, focused on me, the strategies that have been developed feel part of me. They started off as a conscious guide and have become part of my own reflexes, enabling me to achieve the personal and professional development that I aspire to.
Polyanna Katsafourou, Senior Registrar, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
"Liz is a really empowering and helpful supervisor. I like her flexibility, openness and transparency. She guides, challenges and supports me and most of all, empathises and stands alongside me. At the end of a session I've reached a point that in many ways I already knew but hadn't quite articulated or fully realised before. She helps me to tap into my own wisdom."
Ailie Kerrane, Coach
Could I just reiterate how much I enjoyed the time management workshop. I am already putting ideas into practice and with some success!
Tom Harbord, Facilities Manager, Guiseley School
Liz had a great way of looking at things from a completely different perspective to mine which allowed me to contextualise problems and solve them far more easily than I had been able to before.
Senior Manager PCT/CCG
“The coaching has made a real difference to me in terms of my current role but also in being able to determine what direction I want my future career to take.”
General Manager, Mental Health Trust
From the very first session I was able to make changes to my day-to-day working practices that have been invaluable. Thank you Liz!
Senior Manager, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Liz has the ability to synthesise information and ask just the right questions that in turn encourage you to reflect upon your own practices and steadily begin to alter them.
Assistant Head Teacher, Humberside
Thank you for all your help - you've been brilliant in helping me to get my head together in preparation for interviews and I've enjoyed working with you. If anyone asks me where they can get help with interview coaching, I'll be recommending you!
Vicar, Church of England
I was somewhat sceptical about coaching but I found our time together to be one of my best investments in personal development. Liz’s coaching helped me to unlock time, become more effective in my professional role and, more importantly, it enabled me to enjoy my life outside of work.
Dave Vickers, Assistant Head Teacher
Liz helped me to gain focus and uncover different ways to resolve situations at work. I found coaching a supportive, motivating and cathartic experience - Thank you!
Curriculum Lead, Hull College
"I have gained greater focus in the tasks required to manage my team, and confidence to put plans into action."
Regional Rural Head, Savills
Coaching has had a big impact on me. I think it is deep and will be long lasting. It has helped me to make some very big personal and career decisions.
MBA Student, Bradford University School of Management
Coaching helped me to understand the benefits of putting into words the feelings and thoughts that were in my mind.
Business Development Manager, global pharmaceutical company
These coaching sessions have served to identify several vital issues that have had a direct impact on my performance. They were skilfully conducted and appropriately assessed.
MBA Student, Bradford University School of Management
I’ve found the coaching a valuable and rewarding experience. The greatest value has been talking through some self-limiting beliefs and gaining more understanding of what’s holding me back. Thank-you!
Freelance Development Consultant
The benefits I gained from my coaching sessions were enormous. They helped me to find focus and set goals as well as learning another valuable leadership skill.
MBA Student, Bradford University School of Management
The thing I valued most about these coaching sessions was the opportunity to reflect and discuss matters with a 3rd party who was independent from work, family and friends and able to provide both challenge and support.
Project Manager, Management Consultancy
Liz provides executive coaching for MBA students at Bradford University School of Management. Feedback suggests students find this to be a highly worthwhile and effective experience. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her.
Dave Spicer, Associate Dean, MBA Programmes
Liz has undertaken several projects for us over the last four years including developing our corporate induction programme, delivering a variety of training programmes and assisting us with mapping our business processes. Her work is of a high standard; keenly undertaken and professionally presented.
Vice President (UK & Ireland), global healthcare company
Liz’s work was always to a very high standard and delivered in a timely fashion. She consistently produced quality documentation following only an outline brief from myself. Above all, Liz was always pleasant, helpful and informative and I can wholeheartedly recommend her to prospective clients.
Pathology Services Manager
This coaching workshop should be compulsory for all managers. It is the most useful and high impact course I have ever been on. It has changed the way I manage work and personal relationships for the better.
Marketing Manager, Faculty of Arts & Society, Leeds Metropolitan University
Coaching enabled me to build my confidence and take a much more hands-on approach to my career development. Liz is a star and I would recommend her to anyone.
Management Consultant, The Nichols Group
Coaching has been the single most empowering personal development I have ever done.
Kathryn Blackburn, Head of Student Marketing, Leeds Metropolitan University
My coaching sessions with Liz gave me focus and direction. She unlocked the motivation and energy I needed to tackle issues I had been ‘parking’ and which had been holding me back. Thank you, Liz!
Client Services Manager, Primeast Ltd
You have a gift for making dreams happen. You believe in me and that helps me believe in me too.
Minister, Congregational Church
Liz was fantastic coaching me, simply the best coaching session I’ve ever had. Thank you so much. This has lifted something that has been around since I was 13 years old. I am indebted to you.
Independent Conflict Mediator
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