Dr James Pritchard
James has been coaching at executive level for over 30 years in a wide range of organisations and sectors, both as an independent external coach and internally in the Civil Service; where he led a programme to build a coaching and mentoring service to drive cultural change.
His early career was in the oil industry, with roles ranging from building cross-country pipelines to strategic planning as well as representing Exxon on worldwide lubricant quality forums. His interest in coaching arose from an earlier background in international sporting competition.
James brings an engineering training and mindset to 30 years coaching experience. He aims to promote a collaborative enquiry with the client into the human systems; ‘how does all this work and what needs to change?’ His own experience is evolving, informed by academic study, individual and group supervision as well as experience of leadership from inside and outside organisations. Coaching includes 1:1 executive coaching and team coaching, but he also works as a coach supervisor. As well as extensive public sector coaching, he has coached at director level in many other sectors including: construction/engineering, telecoms, technology, health and housing. His coaching has addressed a range of issues concerning the individual, team or organisation, including; career and personal development, confidence, resilience, team relationships and engagement, organisation strategy, mergers and acquisitions, as well as diversity and inclusion.
He has a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering. James is a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as well as a master timeline therapy practitioner. He is Myers-Briggs Type Indicator accredited, an accredited mediator (Regent’s College School of Psychotherapy & Counseling) and has Higher Professional Development (coaching supervision) through Oxford Brookes University. James is co-author of the Oxford University Press workbook on Teamwork for Primary and Shared Care and a chapter in the Sage handbook of Coaching on Coaching and Organisational Development. He is a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher and has opened Vishuddha Yoga Centre in Oxford to build a community of practice and support the physical, psychological and spiritual health of local people.
Testimonials
“James supported me to gain self-esteem from a review of my strengths, challenges and opportunities. Be aware of how powerful decision makers can react to influence Be aware of my positive personal impact, not from what I deliver but who I am and the values I demonstrate. Tactics to make me more curious about others.”
“James is a brilliant coach. Great mix of support and challenge. He helped me explore some really important drivers which impacted on life inside and outside the workplace, and helped me achieve real focus. Would recommend him unreservedly.”
“James supported me in exploring personal wide-ranging and historical experiences and helped me understand how these were affecting my behaviour, including my confidence at work. He encouraged me to challenge my beliefs where these were proving unhelpful to my aspirations, and to take a practical approach to resolving uncertainties that I faced.”