Award-winning Purpose Recovery and Leadership Coach

I’m Vicky Russ — recipient of the 2026 Crea Award for entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, Brainz Magazine Executive Contributor, former charity CEO, MBA qualified and specialist Purpose Recovery Coach helping professionals navigate redundancy, retirement, and major career transitions. 

I’ve spent three decades in senior leadership across the public, private, and third sectors, including mental health. I’ve led organisations, managed large-scale restructures, worked alongside unions and employment lawyers, and built a deep understanding of how organisations really work — including the parts they don’t put in the handbook. 

I’ve also been on the other side. I’ve been made redundant more than once. I know how it feels when the ground shifts, when HR is managing a process rather than supporting you, and when you’re left trying to navigate something enormous largely on your own. When I believed a process was unfair, I pursued my own employment tribunal — giving me insight into the emotional, practical, and legal realities that most coaches simply don’t have. 

Those experiences are why I do what I do now. I help professionals stabilise, rebuild confidence, and make informed decisions about what comes next — whether that’s navigating a redundancy process, recovering from one, designing a purposeful retirement, or leading more effectively in pressured environments. 

Why work with me?

There are a lot of coaches. Here’s what makes working with me different: 

I’ve lived it. Redundancy, reinvention, burnout, PTSD, rebuilding from scratch — I don’t coach from theory. I coach from experience, and that means I understand what you’re going through in a way that someone who’s only read about it never will. 

I understand the system. Having led restructures and worked at senior level across multiple sectors, I know how redundancy processes work from every angle. I know what HR is doing and why. I know where you have leverage and where you don’t. That knowledge protects you. 

I’m entirely on your side. When you work with me, there are no divided loyalties. I’m not representing your employer, managing a process, or trying to move you along. I’m thinking about your interests, your rights, your wellbeing, and your future — and nothing else. 

I’m qualified and credible. I bring serious credentials to this work — not just coaching qualifications, but strategic, academic, and therapeutic depth that means I can meet you wherever you are. 

Credentials 

• Doctor of Business Administration (in progress)
• Master of Business Administration
• PG Diploma in Public Sector Management
• Agile Project Management Practitioner
• Accredited Coach (training ICF accredited)
• Certified Grief & Ikigai Coach
• Core Renewal Therapist (inc. CBT, NLP, Hypnotherapy)
• University Lecturer — Leadership
• Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
• 20+ years of CPD in business and management

Who I work with 
I work with professionals who are at a turning point — whether that’s been chosen or forced upon them. Most of my clients fall into one of these groups: 

Professionals facing redundancy — at risk, recently made redundant, or rebuilding after job loss. I offer three structured coaching programmes that support you at every stage of the journey, from navigating the process through to designing what comes next. Visit my Redundancy Help Packages page. 

Professionals approaching or in retirement — who want more from this stage of life than simply stopping work. My Retirement Reimagined programme helps you design a next chapter with genuine purpose, structure, and energy. Visit my Retirement Reimagined page 

Organisations investing in their people — public sector bodies, Universities, NHS trusts, charities, and other organisations that want to reduce burnout, improve retention, and build compassionate, high-performing cultures. I deliver training, coaching, and consultancy for individuals, teams, and whole organisations. Visit my Leadership Coaching page

The Reframing Room — Podcast 

I host The Reframing Room — a podcast featuring real stories of reinvention from professionals who’ve navigated redundancy, retirement, and major career change. Each episode explores how a challenging experience was reframed into an opportunity for growth, purpose, and renewed direction. If you’re going through a transition yourself, these conversations will remind you that you’re not alone — and that what feels like an ending can become the start of something extraordinary. Visit The Reframing Room Page.

Books by Vicky 

How to Put Your Mask on First — A Burnout Survival Guide for Public Sector Altruists 

A practical guide to identifying the root causes of burnout and building sustainable habits so it doesn’t happen again. Written for the professionals who spend their lives looking after everyone else — and forget to look after themselves. 

Your First Week Back — Returning to Work After Extended Leave, on Your Terms 

A coaching-led book for anyone returning to work after maternity leave, long-term sickness, bereavement, or redundancy. Practical, supportive, and designed to help you re-integrate with confidence. A supporting online course is also available.

Lilly Pad Leaps — Leadership Books for Children (ages 4–8) 

Alongside my professional work, I’m the author and illustrator of Lilly Pad Leaps — a series of children’s books that explore courage, growth, and possibility through storytelling. Because the foundations of good leadership start young. 

All books are available on Amazon search "Vicky Russ" or click the link below.

Let’s talk 

If you’re going through a transition and wondering whether coaching could help, book a free discovery call. It’s a relaxed, confidential conversation — no pressure, no obligation. We’ll talk about where you are, what you need, and whether I’m the right person to help. Book your free discovery call below.

Beyond work 

I live in the Norfolk countryside with my three jack russell terriers. I have two grown-up sons who are both doing brilliantly in their own careers. I’m a lifelong learner, a walker, a reader, and someone who believes that the most meaningful work comes from turning your own challenges into something useful for others. Everything I’ve been through — redundancy, reinvention, recovery — is now part of what I bring to every client I work with.

"Everyone deserves a coach like Vicky", Tom, London.