nicola Tagoe
Nicola is an academic leader, educator and researcher, and is passionate about embedding coaching principles across her work in team leadership, educational delivery and research supervision. Nicola is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and leads on the design and delivery of programmes supporting the professional development of academics and teaching staff.
Nicola completed her coaching training through Guildhall Ignite at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She is a certified Practitioner Level Coach, accredited through the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Nicola trained as an Action Learning Facilitator through the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE).
Nicola works primarily within higher education and the creative industries, with coaching clients ranging from freelancers, professional musicians and entrepreneurs to Directors and CEOs of cultural organisations. Nicola coaches leaders and managers at the King’s Trust, and is in the coaching pool for members of Music Mark (UK Association for Music Education). In addition, she coaches and mentors recent graduates through artist development schemes at several London conservatoires.
Nicola has supported the delivery of coaching training programmes through Guildhall Ignite, and in partnership with Imperial College, London. As coordinator of a Special Interest Group at the Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP), Nicola designs and delivers workshops supporting members to embed coaching principles into their work in higher education.
Nicola is a trained Mental Health First Aider, and is a Trustee for Soundcastle, an award-winning charity championing positive mental health through creative arts.
Jennifer Layburn
Jennifer joins the London Coaching Group as a Director with over 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the health sector. A trained life coach, she is deeply passionate about growth, learning, and development, both at an individual and organisational level. Her work focuses on helping people build confidence, challenge limiting beliefs, and take purposeful action, drawing on her extensive experience of leading change, navigating complex systems, and developing inclusive, high-impact initiatives.
Alongside her coaching practice, Jennifer has a strong background in strategic leadership, organisational development, and mentoring future leaders across multi disciplinary (professional) environments. She is particularly interested in co-creating spaces that encourage creativity, reflection, and bold thinking, and in supporting the continued evolution of the coaching profession. As a Director, she is excited to contribute her experience, curiosity, and commitment to learning to help strengthen the London Coaching Group community and its impact.
Adele Ellis
Adele is a seasoned HR leader and executive coach with over twenty years of experience in globally diverse organisations, including Boston Consulting Group, Linklaters, Lloyds Banking Group, and Bank of New York Mellon. Throughout her career, she has partnered with executive teams to drive transformation, enhance culture, and implement strategic people initiatives. She has designed and executed large-scale transformations, operating models, and leadership team structures and worked closely with executives to build high-performing teams and guide them through change.
In her recent roles, Adele established coaching programmes and served as part of the internal coaching cadres, working with senior leaders to enhance their leadership skills. She is passionate about supporting clients in exploring possibilities and appreciating their unique strengths, recognising that everyone possesses innate resourcefulness and capacity for growth. With a deep understanding of the challenges inherent in high-pressure environments and personal experience managing mental health, she is dedicated to helping others align their lives with core values and achieve holistic success.
Adele is a Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development, a qualified mediator, a mental health first aider, and Hogan trained. Adele is captivated by how the brain functions, believing that working with it, rather than against it, makes one stronger and more effective. She recently completed a certification in neuroscience and looks forward to incorporating this knowledge into her coaching practice and daily life.