About me
You are here because something in your work no longer feels quite right.
On the surface, everything may look fine. Yet underneath, you may be questioning your next step, feeling less confident in your decisions, or recognising that your role no longer reflects what you are capable of.
Hello, I'm Paula Donnan, founder of Paula Donnan Advisory.
I am a strengths-led career coach, consultant, and accredited Strengthscope® Practitioner, supporting professionals and organisations across the UK and Ireland to improve clarity, decision-making, confidence, and performance at work.
My approach starts with strengths.
Together, we explore how you perform at your best, what gives you energy, where you create the greatest value, and what may be preventing you from reaching your potential. Whether you are considering a career move, preparing for promotion, developing as a leader, or looking to improve team performance, the focus is always on helping you make informed decisions with greater confidence.
Where appropriate, I use Strengthscope® to provide evidence-based insight into your strengths and how to apply them in your career, leadership, and day-to-day work.
With more than 15 years' experience in career coaching, employability, leadership development, and workplace performance, I combine practical experience with proven strengths-based methodology. My approach is thoughtful, commercially grounded, and focused on helping people achieve meaningful, lasting results.
If you're ready to understand how you perform at your best and use that knowledge to move forward with greater confidence and clarity, I'd be delighted to support you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have more than 15 years' experience supporting professionals, managers, graduates, and organisations across career development, employability, leadership, and workplace performance. My background combines career coaching, consultancy, education, and programme delivery, underpinned by professional qualifications and evidence-based strengths practice.
Qualifications include:
Strengthscope® Leader Practitioner
Strengthscope® Practitioner
ILM Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
BA (Hons) Degree in Social Sciences (2:1)
Diploma in the Management of Training and Development
Level 3 Certificate in Personnel Practice
Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management
Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
Professional experience includes:
Founder and Career Coach, Paula Donnan Advisory
Information, Advice and Guidance Practitioner
Education Support Assistant, Northern Regional College
Employability Trainer and Programme Coordinator
Participant Development Coach
Skills Adviser
Learning and Development Assistant
Today, I work with experienced professionals who are ready for promotion, considering a career change, returning to work, or looking to perform at a higher level. I also support organisations to develop stronger leaders, improve team performance, and make better use of the strengths already within their workforce.
Alongside one-to-one consultancy & Coaching, I design and deliver strengths-led workshops, leadership development programmes, interview preparation, and career development sessions, helping individuals and organisations make better decisions and achieve stronger performance.
Areas of coaching I deal with
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £3,000.00
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
My services are designed to support you at different stages of your career.
Whether you are considering a career change, preparing for promotion, returning to work, building your confidence, or simply looking for greater clarity, I offer practical, strengths-led career coaching and consultancy tailored to your goals.
Services include career coaching, one-to-one coaching, career consultations, strengths-led coaching, interview preparation, Strengthscope® assessments and debriefs, leadership coaching, and structured programmes designed to help you make informed decisions and perform at your best.
Whether you need a one-off coaching session, a career consultation, or a more in-depth coaching programme, there is an option to suit your needs. Strengthscope® assessments and feedback sessions are available as standalone services or as part of a wider programme.
Full details of my services and fees are available on my website.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
