Following a successful 20-year career in HR to coaching part-time, running a podcast series and being a full-time mum.

Sarah Harper graduated from the Mastered programme in 2021 following a successful 20-year career in HR. Sarah now coaches part-time alongside running a podcast series and being a mum to her 10-year-old.

Before starting the Mastered Programme, I had enjoyed a 20-year career in HR; 16 years at Goldman Sachs heading up recruiting in EMEA, and then four years as Global Head of HR for Freshfields.

I have always been interested in people – discussing with university students about what a career in investment banking might be like for them through to senior lawyers about their role as leaders. I loved it. The most important and enjoyable roles that I had in the corporate world were always my people management responsibilities and I have been extremely lucky to have worked with some of the best in the business.

Things changed direction for me when I was paired up with Meyler Campbell Faculty Member Jon Stokes as my coach on a leadership programme while at Freshfields. Little did I know at the time that I had struck gold! He not only helped me realise that a role in HR wasn’t for me anymore, but he also helped me realise that a role in coaching was. So, I resigned and undertook the Meyler Campbell Mastered Programme.

Since graduating from the programme in 2021, I have spent time slowly but surely growing my coaching business. I divide my time as a coach with hosting my podcast – What’s The Next Step? – which is partly a marketing tool for my coaching but if I’m honest is also a hobby. I love the conversations with my guests – finding out about them and what makes them tick. But first and foremost, I am a mum to a 10-year-old. I love the variety and the flexibility that I have been able to create in my working life so that I can be the parent I want to be.

I’m so pleased that I went through the Mastered Programme – I remember the feeling of sitting down with a cup of tea, a highlighter and the books for whatever module I was on and thinking – this is definitely for me! In a world where, sadly, many people still end up in jobs that they don’t enjoy or are not suited for, I consider myself to be pretty lucky to have found Meyler Campbell.

The learning from the programme for me goes beyond the coaching room. I communicate differently now in my personal life too. I find that I listen more and give advice less to my daughter, my husband and my friends and instead ask questions as they figure things out for themselves. I am also training to be a Samaritan which of course uses many of the same skills as coaching – deep and active listening without judgement being at the core of the Samaritans role. I am very grateful that I have my Mastered Programme training firmly embedded as I begin this next chapter.

Sarah Harper, 2021 Mastered Alumna