Vicky Russ

I’m an accredited life coach and certified Ikigai and grief coach specialising in redundancy and retirement coaching for senior professionals and leaders. I help people navigate two of life’s most significant career transitions - not just practically, but emotionally and purposefully.

With over 30 years of senior leadership experience in the public and charitable sectors at CEO and strategic director level, I understand the identity, purpose, structure and meaning that a career provides - and the profound sense of loss that can come when that chapter ends, whether by choice or circumstance.

I’ve experienced redundancy myself (more than once), as well as burnout and the emotional fallout loss of confidence and identity that can follow. That personal understanding, combined with my professional expertise, allows me to offer a coaching experience that is deeply empathetic, practically grounded, and genuinely transformative.

What I Offer

Retirement Reimagined - Through five 75-minute coaching sessions, a full Ikigai deep-dive, strengths and values profiling, and a personalised Next Chapter Blueprint, I help clients rediscover who they are beyond their job title and design a retirement that is purposeful, energising, and theirs.

Redundancy Redefined - Coaching for professionals navigating redundancy, helping them move through the emotional impact, rediscover their strengths, and create a clear, confident plan for what comes next.

I also provide senior leader coaching and training for organisations and universities, specialising in Strategic, Curious and Positive Psychology Leadership (creating psychologically safe, learning environments). 

Who I Work With

I typically work with professionals aged 35-65 who have built meaningful careers and are facing a significant transition. Many of my clients come from senior roles in the public sector, healthcare, education, professional services, or charitable organisations. They’ve had careers defined by responsibility and contribution - and they’re not ready to stop contributing. They just need a new way to do it.

I also work with organisations and universities to train senior leaders to be more positive, strategic and curious when leading others for improved performance.

I offer transformation programmes/packages that combine 1 to 1 coaching with workbooks, online support, group sessions and other resources. Additional private 1 to 1s are available for £125 per hour. My website provides full details of each programme/package and costs. www.vickyrusslifecoach.com

Why I Do This Work

I created my coaching practice because I’ve seen too many talented, experienced people step or be pushed away from careers they were brilliant at and find themselves adrift – not because they lack ability or resources, but because nobody helped them think about who they are without the role, and what they want to do with the extraordinary experience they’ve built. Having navigated redundancy, PTSD, and burnout myself, at senior levels, I bring a personal understanding to this work that goes beyond professional training. I consider it a privilege to help people thrive in their next chapter.

How Sessions Work

I offer a free 30-minute discovery call so we can talk about where you are, what’s on your mind, and whether my approach is the right fit. There’s no pressure and no obligation. Coaching sessions are held online via MS Teams, making them accessible and unlimited, wherever you are. Between sessions, you’ll have WhatsApp and email support for those thoughts and questions that don’t wait for appointments, depending on your programme/package of support.