About Me

Hi, I'm Aretha

Born in East London to Caribbean parents, Fine Art was not my family’s choice. I did however follow that dream and completed my BA (Hons) in Fine Art followed by a MA in Arts Policy and Management.  I then spent over 25 years working in the Arts, Heritage and Culture sectors across art and festival organisations, museums, universities, national strategic bodies, charities and local authorities. 

Coaching wasn’t an obvious choice for me, but life kept steering me towards it until I recognised that this was where I wanted to be to make the most difference for other beings. In 2022 I did a year long intensive Coaches Training Programme with Accomplishment Coaching, which truly transformed my life and brought me to where I am today as a certified coach with the Institute of Coaching Federation (ICF).

The intersectionality of being both a women and of colour can still be challenging in our society. Assumption of who we are, upbringing and life experiences and how that has shaped what we think of the world can create particular limiting narratives. 

I’ve experienced years of questioning my ability, my position, my decisions, my professionalism and whether or not I was doing the ‘right’ thing. What I learnt along the way is that people - you and I - all need a critical friend, a partner, a network to help us see beyond our current sphere.

I have always pressured myself to be successful without ever feeling like I had achieved success or defining what that actually meant for me. I now know that for me, being successful is to make a difference to people’s lives, to open up possibility, to partner with others to believe in their goals and support them to achieve what they are reaching for. I choose to strive for love, balance, connection and opportunities to share experiences with others.  This is what drives me, and that, along with my own life experiences, is what supports me to be an empowering stand for others.​