Alan Evans | Executive Coaching for Finance

Before becoming an accredited executive coach in the UK, Alan Evans spent more than two decades building a successful career in finance, culminating in his role as Finance Director at GAME Digital. During that time, he experienced the realities of senior leadership first-hand: navigating organisational change, managing high-performing teams, presenting to boards, balancing strategic priorities and making decisions under pressure.

Today, Alan combines that commercial experience with proven coaching methodologies to support CFOs, Finance Directors and senior leaders who want to increase their impact, strengthen their leadership skills and perform at their best.

Through Chilworth Partnership's Executive Coaching service, he works with ambitious leaders who recognise that career progression isn't simply about technical expertise. Success at senior levels often comes down to self-awareness, communication, influence and the ability to bring others with you.

From Finance Director to Accredited Executive Coach

Alan's career journey has been anything but conventional. Before moving into finance, he worked in education, developing the communication and people skills that would later become central to his coaching approach. Finance then added another dimension, providing deep commercial understanding and insight into the challenges faced by senior leaders.

Over more than 20 years in finance, Alan progressed through increasingly senior roles before becoming Finance Director at GAME Digital. Along the way, he gained a clear understanding of what separates effective leaders from exceptional ones, as well as the common barriers that can prevent talented individuals from reaching their full potential.

In 2019, he made the move into coaching. Rather than stepping away from leadership, coaching became a natural extension of his career. Having experienced the pressures, challenges and occasional self-doubt that can accompany senior positions, he recognised how valuable it can be to have an independent sounding board and trusted advisor.

Since then, he has worked with directors, C-suite executives and senior finance professionals across a range of sectors, helping them develop the confidence, clarity and leadership capability needed to thrive in demanding roles.

Why More Senior Leaders Are Investing in Coaching

The demands placed on today's leaders continue to grow, with senior professionals expected to lead through uncertainty, manage increasingly complex stakeholder relationships and make strategic decisions at pace. At the same time, many are balancing broader responsibilities than ever before.

Research from the International Coaching Federation has consistently highlighted the positive impact coaching can have on leadership effectiveness, communication and professional performance. For many organisations, coaching has become an important part of leadership development, helping individuals strengthen both their confidence and their decision-making capability.

Alan often works with leaders who have already achieved significant career success but recognise there is another level they want to reach. Some are preparing for board-level responsibilities, while others want to improve their influence, communication style or ability to lead teams through change.

A Practical Approach to Leadership Coaching for CFOs and Senior Leaders

There is no shortage of executive coaches available to senior leaders. What clients consistently value about Alan's approach is his ability to combine psychological insight with practical business experience.

As one Managing Director described it, "He doesn't just talk theory; he gives you tools you can apply immediately."

That practical focus comes from having sat in the same chair as many of the people he coaches. Alan understands what it feels like to face board scrutiny, manage difficult conversations, lead through uncertainty and step into larger roles with greater expectations.

Every coaching engagement begins with DISC personality profile coaching, providing valuable insight into an individual's communication style, motivations and behavioural preferences. The DISC framework helps leaders understand their strengths, recognise potential blind spots and build stronger working relationships.

Those insights form the foundation of a tailored coaching programme that reflects each individual's goals and challenges.

Sessions take place monthly and focus on real-world situations, measurable objectives and practical actions. Between sessions, check-in calls help maintain momentum and provide support when new challenges arise.

Who Alan Works With

Alan works with senior leaders who are performing well but believe they can achieve more with the right support. Many are experiencing a common leadership challenge: the skills that helped them succeed in one role are not always the same skills required at the next level.

Some are stepping into broader leadership positions and need to increase their confidence when presenting to boards or executive teams. Others want to strengthen their influence, improve stakeholder management or overcome feelings of imposter syndrome that can emerge during periods of career progression.

Alongside one-to-one coaching, Alan also works with leadership teams to improve collective performance. Common themes include strengthening communication, improving strategic alignment and developing more effective team dynamics.

Every programme is tailored to the needs of the individuals involved, ensuring coaching remains relevant, practical and aligned to business objectives.

Creating Lasting Change

The impact of coaching is often measured in subtle but meaningful ways. One Director described how Alan's influence had become embedded within their organisation, with team members regularly asking each other, "What would Alan ask us?" when working through challenges and barriers.

That ability to create sustainable behavioural change is one of the reasons coaching can deliver benefits long after formal sessions have ended. The goal is not simply to solve today's challenge. It is to equip leaders with the awareness, tools and confidence they need to continue developing throughout their careers.

Chilworth Partnership and Alan Evans

At Chilworth Partnership, we have spent decades working with senior finance and business leaders, understanding what drives exceptional performance and long-term success.

Our Executive Coaching service complements our expertise in executive search and interim management, enabling us to support leaders beyond the hiring process and throughout their professional journey.

Working with Alan allows us to offer coaching grounded in genuine leadership experience, practical insight and proven coaching techniques.

If you're a senior finance professional looking to develop your leadership capability, a CEO seeking support for your leadership team, or an HR leader exploring development opportunities for high-potential employees, we'd be delighted to start a conversation.