"Conversations are not about the work...
they are the work"
I’m Catherine Berney
Leadership specialist. Organisational psychologist. Facilitator and executive coach.
I help people to become better leaders. I partner with C-Suite, partners, directors and senior executives; leaders who want to explore their potential to lead with greater clarity, purpose and impact.
For over three decades, I’ve partnered with C-suite leaders and senior teams at organisations including HSBC, KPMG, IPG Mediabrands, Shell, Beiersdorf, Heineken and many more — helping them navigate complexity, develop their people, and create cultures where both the business and its leaders can thrive.
How I Work
My Approach
I act as a catalyst to inspire and enable you to lead with greater clarity, purpose and impact. I provide a safe space to navigate complexity and ambiguity, building the agility and resilience required to lead effectively.
High support coupled with high challenge — that’s what creates genuine insight and development. I work with you to uncover what’s really going on, to see patterns you might have missed, and to find new possibilities. I achieve impact in part through The Grounding Steps Framework described in my book The Enlightened Organization.
Clients greatly value my energy, creativity and psychological insight. In particular, my clarity and authenticity, ability to surface issues that often block strategic progress, and the empathetic way in which I leverage clients’ leadership effectiveness through positive, sustainable mindset and behaviour change.
Background
Why Me
I’m a leadership specialist and organisational psychologist with a background spanning law, mediation, international finance, and behavioural science. I bridge the gap between commercial strategy and the complex human dynamics that drive it.
My background in psychology and behavioural science, combined with years of working alongside senior leaders in complex organisations, means I understand both the internal landscape of leadership and the external pressures you face.
I’m the author of The Enlightened Organization — an executive toolkit for agile leadership that brings together psychology, systems thinking, and practical wisdom from years in the field.
My qualifications include BCL, MSc, Organizational psychology, Graduate Member of the British Psychological Association, CEDR Mediator, Goleman EI Meta Coach, Henley (triple accredited) Certified Executive Coach and certified user of numerous psychometric tests. I am also a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Association for Coaching (ACC), and the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC).
Beyond facilitating, coaching and consulting, I serve as a Non-Executive Director with a focus on strategy, people and culture — bringing legal and governance experience to my understanding of the challenges that leaders face.
What Clients Say
“Catherine is seen as standout... really brings the expertise. She understands her stuff, ...knows her craft well.”
“Catherine is the go-to psychologist for senior executives. We have worked in partnership with her for 5 years”
“Really listens to her clients' needs and cleverly uses her toolkit to craft a completely bespoke solution. I will always choose to work with Catherine when I can.”
“I am loving the energy, challenge and thinking.”
“Significant improvement in how we show up”
“The right amount of advocacy and inquiry when working with teams and individuals.”
Ready to realise your potential?
You’re successful, but something’s calling for change. Let’s start a conversation about what’s next.
Let’s talk