The A-List: 2008

Job

Executive coach

Company

First Class Coach

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7628 2557.

Address

London, SW12 8TD

Fantasy business partner

Richard Curtis, the screenwriter. I want him to write the screenplay for my movie.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

By restricting flights to Provence to once a month.

Greatest influence

Kate Springford, an inspiring coach and individual, now in her seventies, but still providing life-changing experiences for creative directors, as well as normal mortals.

Clubs

Wacl and SKP-SC (the Stop Knocking Pear-Shape Collective).

Favourite gadget

My breadmaker. I have two, one in France, because it is possible to get fed up with baguettes.

Desert island objects

A sharp knife, loads of art materials and a comfy mattress.

Most-admired politician

Gordon Brown. We were at university together, and I know he is a man of principle.

Favourite media

Var Matin (the local paper for my part of Provence) Psychologies, Shark, Radio 4, bbc.com.

Biggest risk taken

Getting married again last year, to Douglas McArthur. So far, it's a risk that's paid off.

Perfect day

A coaching session with an energetic, challenging client, a healthy lunch, some painting in the afternoon, cooking and eating a great dinner with friends in the evening, with a few glasses of good red wine.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Sienna Miller. They'd only need to change her hair and eye colour, her body shape and her voice.

Career highlights

Publishing, advertising (first female account handler at DDB), director of training and development at the IPA, launched Baby Ideal Home, the first-ever exhibition for babies and their parents; executive coach since 1992, working with top-level people many in our industry to help them be happier and more succesful.

Fictional hero

Dennis the Menace.

Hidden talent

Writing columnist for Management Today, have a film script going the rounds and just had my first book accepted by a leading literary agent. Also painting. I'm hoping to have my first exhibition later this year.

Best job outside advertising

Gaining sponsors for a book on Scotch whisky. I had to buy a bigger briefcase to hold all the bottles I was given.

Lowdown

The IPA's one-time training director has built up a formidable reputation as a management coach over the past 17 years. She believes many businesspeople achieve less than they're capable of, and that they don't achieve the levels of job satisfaction they could.

Most expensive purchase

A photograph of Frank Zappa at The Barbican for my huband.

Why are you good at what you do?

I've learned to listen.