No-nonsense, career coaching with an edge
Confidence, clarity and control over your professional choices
About ME
The person behind The Cynical Coach is me, Ilaria.
Prior to becoming a qualified coach, I spent 12 years in a number of UK government departments - as a senior civil servant, trade negotiator and economic adviser - serving as the bridge between the private and public sector. I specialised in trade and investment promotion across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia and travelled extensively to ‘fly the flag’ for large and small businesses alike from across a range of sectors.
My international experience includes managing complex, matrixed and culturally-diverse teams of up to 320 people dispersed across 34 markets in Europe during Brexit and Covid, and motivating people using non-financial levers, instilling in them an ability to be resilient and agile in adverse circumstances.
I began my career in international development, working in both developed and developing countries, and in a number of multilateral organisations like the World Bank and the World Health Organisation.
An Italian, French and English speaker, I am an Officer of Order the British Empire and Chair of the Board of Trustees of a UK charity focused on supporting the educational needs of Namibian children.
My LinkedIn profile has more information about my background.