About Us
My Story
Irene Poku, MSc PCC Executive Coach
For 20 years, I worked hard to build a career that will give me fulfillment. Concurrently I searched and found my soulmate with whom I embarked on the journey of life.
I had reached a stage in my life where I thought I could exhale. I had a good career as a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry and earned a decent salary that afforded me a comfortable lifestyle.
I was happily married and had three lovely children. I was very content with my life and proud of my personal and professional achievements. My life would change in 2017 when my husband passed away after a short battle with cancer.
As our dreams and aspirations were intertwined, I felt part of me had died too. The feeling of total emptiness and numbness that engulfed me was overwhelming.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Carl Jung
After months of being in a dark place, I knew I had to start to rebuild my life. However, most of the things that I held dear then no longer meant anything to me.
At that point I realised that I had been ‘making a living’ i.e., living in accordance with the beliefs and expectations that had been passed on to me from family and society. I lived in compliance with what was socially acceptable without ever questioning whether my actions were true to my being.
Consequently, I set out to explore ‘designing a life’ instead, i.e., living in alignment with my authentic self; a meaningful life where I make decisions with a conscious effort to:
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Do things that are important to me and make me happy an
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Use all my positive attributes in the service of others.
Unleashing my core values
With the help of a coach, I embarked on a new journey of soul-searching, to identify my core
values.
Core values can be defined as the guiding principles that determine our behaviors and actions. They are our sacred truths and do not change, no matter what situation we find
ourselves in. Core values also help us to determine what is important to us and improve the quality of our lives.
I have come to the understanding that having clarity on one’s core values and living in
alignment with them may be key to one living a more fulfilling life. That understanding led
me to uncover my own top five core values which are:
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Decisiveness
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Friendship
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Challenge
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Self-development
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Helping others
With this heightened awareness, I made a decision to design a life aligned to my core values
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I quit my job and walked away from the career and expertise I had acquired over the years; I trained as a coach and obtained all the necessary certifications to enable me to practise at the executive level; I set up my own business which allowed me the flexibility to choose my working hours. Having flexible working hours has afforded me the time I need to invest in my relationships (friends, family and children). Being able to choose my working hours also enabled me to take on voluntary roles to support my community.
To be in alignment with my value of self-development, I established a routine that included
reading, writing, and listening to podcasts first thing in the morning. This has now become a
habit that helps me to start each new day feeling enriched and energised to face the
opportunities that may come my way.
My Coaching Appraoch
Why Work With Me?
I am deeply passionate about personal development, building meaningful relationships, and inspiring people to step into their full potential. My coaching empowers leaders to identify their core values, challenge limiting beliefs, and lead with confidence and authenticity.
I believe that great coaching starts with a strong, trust-based relationship. I create a space for transparency and vulnerability, allowing clients to develop heightened self-awareness and unlock their unique strengths.
My Coaching Approach
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Reflective & Insightful – I hold up a mirror to help clients see themselves clearly, recognize patterns, and uncover their true superpower.
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Thought-Provoking & Transformational – I ask powerful questions that push clients to deeper levels of thinking and self-discovery.
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Practical & Actionable – I apply proven tools to help clients zoom in on key challenges or step back to see the bigger picture.
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Corporate-Savvy & Results-Driven – Drawing from my corporate experience and coaching expertise, I guide individuals and groups toward clarity, focus, and meaningful progress.
Services For Organisations
I offer 1:1 executive coaching for leaders at all levels, focusing on:
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Self-awareness & Inclusive Leadership – Unearthing unconscious biases and fostering inclusivity.
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Cognitive Diversity & Authentic Leadership – Encouraging thought diversity and leading with integrity.
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Career Progression for High-Potentials – Helping emerging leaders craft strategies for growth.
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Personal Branding & Visibility – Elevating leaders, presence and cross-functional impact.
Group Coaching & Workshops
Leadership Away Day & Team-Building – Strengthening team dynamics and
leadership effectiveness.
Women in Leadership Storytelling Workshop – Inspiring and empowering female leaders.
Coaching Skills Foundation – Equipping teams with essential coaching techniques for leadership.
For Individuals
I work with professionals seeking alignment with their values and strengths to achieve:
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Career Transition & Advancement – Navigating career shifts with confidence.
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Confidence & Mindset Shift – Overcoming limiting beliefs and stepping into leadership.
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Boundary-Setting & Work-Life Balance – Enhancing well-being through clear priorities.
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Time Management & Productivity – Developing strategies for sustainable success.
Qualifications
I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Personal and Business Coaching from the University of Chester.
As a highly skilled facilitator of personal development programs for leaders within organizations, I also train leaders in coaching skills foundations to enhance their leadership effectiveness.
Prior to my coaching career, I earned an MSc and BSc in Pharmaceutical Science from Greenwich University.
How the Experience Works
Our coaching journey will be tailored to your challenges, opportunities, and goals, helping you make meaningful progress toward a positive and sustainable outcome.
Once we’ve clearly defined your focus areas, we’ll ensure they align with your values and aspirations. From there, we’ll work together to support your growth, transformation, and achievement of your goals.
Session Structure & Commitment
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Sessions typically take place once or twice a month, lasting 60 to 90 minutes each.
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The coaching journey usually spans six to twelve months, allowing for deep reflection and meaningful progress.
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A minimum commitment of six sessions is recommended to ensure lasting impact.
Confidentiality & Safe Space
All coaching conversations are strictly confidential. I create a judgment-free, psychologically safe space where you feel valued, respected, and supported.
Investment & Next Steps
Coaching sessions are priced per session, with details discussed and agreed upon during a complimentary chemistry session.