About us

Threshold, established in 1997, trades nationally and internationally. Our core business is coaching, mentoring and facilitation. We work with and through our network of associate coaches based across the UK and in continental Europe.

Our coaches bring extensive experience of coaching a range of clients in different types of organisations, including:-

• Chief executives, directors, and senior managers in multinational enterprises
• Owner-managers and directors in UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises
• Chief executives, directors, senior and middle managers in public sector organisations including local government, the NHS and central government departments.

The majority of our coaches have trained with Ashridge and/or the Center for Creative Leadership. Others have been trained by associate coaches from these organisations, or are training with other bodies such as the CIPD, CoachU and universities.

Threshold is led by Eoin McCarthy and Paula Kingston from their base in Malvern, in the West Midlands of the U.K.

Profile for Eoin McCarthy - Managing Director, MBA,CMC,FIMC

Overview

• Executive coach (trained with the Center for Creative Leadership) and facilitator
• Founder of Threshold Consulting Ltd, providing coaching services in the UK and Europe since 1997
  

• 20+ years of board level management and business with leading plcs and PA Consulting Group

• Established track record of coaching senior executives

• Business focus and expertise in leadership and change

• Works one to one, adult to adult, enabling clients to become the best that they can be

Business and organizational experience

• Corporate, public and 3rd sector experience working with senior executives and CEOs
• International client base working across cultures with nationals from 40+ countries
• 25+ years accumulated non-executive experience in the corporate and 3rd sectors
• Chief Executive of the Aston Re-investment Trust,1996-1997, a successful innovative bank under the chairmanship of Adrian Cadbury

Coaching Approach

• Uses a non-directive aproach of enquiry, dialogue and supportive challenge that ensures ownership stays with the client, addressing the needs of the whole person
• Expertise in linking reflective learning to transformational change, clarifying the underlying issues and addressing the political and emotional dynamics at board level
• Takes a systemic perspective on problem solving, enabling clients to generate new insights on how the parts of an issue connect with the whole

Examples of Work

• Chief Executive Officer of a national merchant bank
• Global function CEO, world leading bank

• European CEO and top team, global fragrances company

• European Finance Director, global engineering business

Benefits of Coaching

"Helped me understand how to operate better at Director level", "new perspectives help me reframe situations and take new ways forward", "exceptionally useful", "I now work more easily and constructively with my fellow directors and my team"' "challenging, stimulating, at times uncomfortable but often enjoyable"

Education and Affiliations

• CCL Affiliate Coach 2000-2008, MBA Warwick 1988, Production Engineering, IIE, 1983

• Fellow, Institute of Management Consultancy; Member, Quakers and Business
  

 
In January 2008 Eoin was interviewed by the journal 'Ethical Corporation' on business ethics, leadership development and Quakers. This podcast is available at:- http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5653&ContTypeID=61

Profile for Paula Kingston - Director

Paula Kingston is a workplace coach and mentor working with individuals and teams who wish to improve their performance at work. Issues addressed include interpersonal skills, team skills, communication skills, dealing with stress, problem solving, decision-making, etc.

Paula is both highly supportive and challenging in her work with clients. Clients appreciate her encouragement and empathy, and the insights they develop about themselves and their work context during her sessions.  Employers are pleased to see their staff grow and develop in skills and capabilities, and to be able to retain staff they might otherwise lose.

Paula also runs training courses in coaching skills for line managers, team leaders and supervisors.

Paula has extensive experience of public sector environments including the NHS and the education sector (universities, schools, and the FE sector).  Clients to date have come from the NHS, small businesses, including the self-employed, and the library and information sector.

Paula’s career has included posts in information management, workforce development and human resource management.  She has extensive experience of change management, project management, and partnership working, as well as line management responsibility and training, including appraisals and personal and team development.

Paula has a modern languages degree and postgraduate qualifications in education and information management. She is an affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. She completed a coaching skills course run by a Center for Creative Leadership affiliated coach in 2003-2004 and is currently studying with CoachU on their International Coach Federation - accredited course.

Profile for Polly McDonald - Senior Associate

Polly McDonald is a Personal Development Coach working with individuals and groups to develop skills that help them set and achieve goals in both a personal and work-related context.  The process used includes developing a solution focus, looking at skills and resources that already exist but which need to be maximized, looking at options for bridging any gaps and putting actions into place for achieving success.

Polly offers an empathic and supportive approach that encourages clients to identify and overcome barriers that have previously stood in the way of success. Clients learn strategies for managing their emotional and physical wellbeing so that they are motivated for change and able to face pressures and challenges head on.

Polly's experience has been gained in both the public and private sectors. She has worked with clients within the NHS, social services, local authorities, voluntary organisations, the retail industry, small businesses and the self-employed.

Polly uses a variety of media including counselling, coaching, training and action learning. Her target audiences have included staff, managers, professionals and carers as well as recipients of health and social care.

Polly has an Advanced Diploma in Counselling, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychological Coaching and a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel and Development. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, an associate member of the Association for Coaching and a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.