Hi, I’m Sue Belton
You know the leader you’re capable of becoming. I’m here to help you get there.
If you’re a senior leader, managing director, or founder ready to step out of the day-to-day and lead strategically, you’re in the right place.
I work with driven, ambitious, high-achieving leaders. Why? Because I am one.
Since 2008, I’ve coached leaders like you, and before that, I was a producer at the BBC learning what makes people tick. I don’t just coach this, I’ve done it, and come out the other side.
Why leaders work with me
You’re really good at what you do. You’ve built a career, a team, and for founders, a business, on being the person who delivers.
But somewhere along the way, the drive that got you here started running you instead of the other way around.
I coach senior leaders, managing directors, founders, and C-suite executives, at organisations from Virgin Wines and Generali to fast-growing SMEs: different industries and roles, all facing similar challenges:
- Buried in the day-to-day, firefighting, back-to-back, finding it hard to carve out time for the strategic work you were brought in to do
- Always on, unable to switch off, never fully present with the people you love
- The one everyone leans on, with no one to lean on yourself
- Half-convinced that whatever you achieve, it’s never enough
The thing is, the workload is never going to change. And actually, that’s not the problem anyway.
The problem is the patterns underneath it: the beliefs and habits that have you working this way. Change those, and you can become the leader you aspire to be.
That’s the work we do together.
I help you see the patterns you can’t see for yourself, understand where they came from, and build new ones in their place.
I’ll tell you the hard truths, the things you might not want to hear.
Then I’ll back you all the way, while you take the tools and techniques out of the coaching room and put them to work in the real world.
18
Years of Experience
700+
Hours of Training
3000+
Impactful Sessions
4
Bestselling Books
My Story
I was raised in a military family, an only child, taught to be strong, sort everything out, and never let anyone see it was hard. It made me capable, driven, and very good at pushing through. It also set the wiring that nearly broke me later.
I spent my early career at the BBC as a documentary producer and director, making BAFTA-nominated factual programmes. On one series, Jailbirds, I remember climbing into the back of prison vans and talking to people at the very worst moment of their lives, getting them to trust me, open up, and tell me their story. I was good at it, because I knew how to make people feel safe.
That’s the same skill I bring to coaching now: I create a space where you can be completely honest, drop the performance, and do the real work, often the side of you that you don’t show anyone else.
“I knew how to make people feel safe.”
The trouble was, I was working twelve, fourteen, sixteen-hour days and calling it dedication. Certain that was what it took to be successful.
It came to a head when I found myself five months pregnant in A&E, listening to a doctor ask me what on earth I was doing. I knew then that I couldn’t carry on working the way I was and raise my daughter the way I wanted to. But I had no idea what to do about it.
Someone suggested I talk to a coach. In 45 minutes, I learned the thing I now build my whole practice on: whatever the situation, you always have a choice in how you respond.
“Whatever the situation, you always have a choice.“
So I retrained as a coach and built my business. And then, two years in, I burned out all over again, because I brought all of it with me.
Changing the job was never going to be enough. I had to change the pattern. That’s the work I now do with the leaders I coach, and I can tell you, the thing you’re most afraid of, that this is just how it has to be, simply isn’t true.
“Changing the job was never going to be enough. I had to change the pattern.”“
And now…
I’m an award-winning executive and leadership coach based in London, working one-to-one with senior leaders, managing directors, founders, and C-suite executives, the kind of driven, high-achieving people I understand from the inside.
I coach through three programmes: the Strategic Leader Programme for senior leaders and established founders, the Emerging Leader Programme for new and rising managers, and the Thriving Coach Programme for executives building a coaching business after a successful corporate career.
Alongside one-to-one coaching, I lead a hand-picked team of ICF-accredited coaches who deliver my group and organisation-wide leadership programmes, to the same framework and standards as everything I do.
I’m also the best-selling author of Screw Meditation! and Change Your Life in 5, and contributing author to best-sellers Leading from the Heart, Shine, and Retire Inspire 2.
I’ve been named Coach of the Year (Silver Stevie Award), Female Entrepreneur of the Year (Gold Stevie Award), and Best Coach (Best Business Women Awards). I’ve produced my own podcast ChangeMakers, and regularly guest on podcasts and in the press, talking about leadership, burnout, and the science of changing how we work.
I practise what I coach. I’m an empty-nester now, living in London with my fiancé, Andrew. We walk our dog, Daisy, every morning. I work the hours I choose, and I’ve built a business and a life on my own terms.
It took me years, and more than a few mistakes, to get here. I can help you get there a good deal faster.
That starts with a 60-minute Clarity Call. We’ll talk about where you are, what you want to change, and whether I’m the right coach to help you do it.
I knew straight away that this was someone who would give me candid feedback and ask hard and, at times, uncomfortable questions when needed.
She was also able to do this while remaining incredibly kind and supportive.”
Founder, Solas
I coach clients in person from my Central London coaching rooms, on-site at organisations across London, and online throughout the UK and worldwide.
Coaching based on science and proven frameworks
Everything I do is grounded in neuroscience and the latest leadership research, built around two frameworks I’ve developed over nearly two decades of coaching: the 5 Principles of Effective Leadership and the THRIVE framework. You’ll find more about each on the Strategic Leader and Thriving Coach programme pages.
Executive and Leadership Coaching Programmes
Executive Coaching For Senior Leaders and Established Founders
My flagship one-to-one coaching to get you out of the day-to-day and leading strategically.
Leadership Coaching for New and Mid-Level Managers
Targeted coaching to develop the skills and confidence to lead well now, and step up when the opportunity comes.
Mentoring for Coaches Transitioning from Corporate
One-to-one support to help you attract the right clients and build a high-value business.
Ready to see if we’re a fit?
You can’t tell from a website if I’m the right coach for you. That’s what a Clarity Call is for. We’ll talk through where you are, the challenges you’re facing, and what you want to change. If it’s a fit, we’ll talk about next steps.
What clients say about working with Sue Belton
“I’ve felt a ridiculous difference within the 12 months of working with Sue Belton on the Strategic Leader Programme. Deciding to work with Sue is the best career decision you can make.”
Peter Tosland, Commercial Director
M Group Services, Hertfordshire
“When I started working with Sue Belton I had recently been appointed to the board, with a new team of direct reports and difficult business challenges. The Strategic Leader coaching was particularly effective at dealing with these, and led to significant improvements in my leadership.”
Rodolphe Plouvier, Head of Distribution
Generali London
“I am a better leader now, and I know how to continue growing into the leader I want to be because of the foundational work Sue Belton and I did together on the Strategic Leader Programme.”
Maurice Roach, Head of Financial Services
Zühlke, London
“Her honest and challenging approach gave me the confidence I needed. Sue Belton gave me a number of really great leadership techniques that I now use on a daily basis.”
Mark Womersley, Managing Director
Burgess Pet Care, UK
“The last 14 months of working with Sue Belton have been a wonderful and transformative experience, personally for me and for my organisation. She doesn’t shy away from taking you out of your comfort zone, asking powerful questions and prompting the kind of thinking we don’t all do in our routine day-to-day.”
Ina V. Hristova, Head of People
Zühlke, Europe
“Sue Belton is incredible and has had a dramatic impact on my life, professionally and personally. She helped me clearly articulate and write down long-term goals, and achievable ways of meeting them. I’ve worked with her for a few years now, and she consistently helps me look at things differently.”
Katie Lewis, Vice President,
TransPerfect Life Sciences, London
“Sue Belton has always delivered exceptional coaching engagements for senior staff. She was ahead of the trend for a focus on neurology and wellbeing. I’ve worked with her in two very different sectors and she has delivered great work.”
Ross Bartlett, Group Head of L&D
Ogilvy, London
“Working with Sue created the space for me to step back, look at myself honestly, and become conscious about the choices I was making. Ruthless prioritisation is my new way of working. I now finish work by 5, start my mornings with a walk, and actually have evenings again. This has genuinely been my year. Sue practices what she preaches. If you’re a leader who is giving everything to work at the expense of yourself, she will challenge you, support you, and help you find a completely different approach.”
Zoe Newton, Senior Manager
Haleon, Surrey
“I have known Sue for a few years and she is my go-to person where C-Suite executives need to consider next steps and whether a coach should be part of their continuing journey. I attended her Screw Meditation! workshop with a mix of grades from my team, and everyone took away something specific to work on to make a difference to them, their work and their effectiveness. From a training point of view, that’s a big tick.”
Richard Aston, Partner, Deal Advisory
KPMG, UK
“Sue is a leader in her field and has a high degree of professionalism when conducting meetings and trainings. She managed to bring out the best in the team especially with on the spot coaching during sessions. It comes naturally to her and that is reflected in her work. I would recommend Sue as a coach and a trainer to any individual or company for larger group sessions, she can adapt easily and accommodates your needs.”
Nicola Smith, VP Talent Acquisition
Visual Concepts, USA
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Sue. An extremely positive lady who has an infectious style for just getting things done. A classic example of this was her adoption of the current Zoom technology to create break out rooms in a recent coaching workshop she and Anne ran for our executive management team. As if by magic Sue appeared as an extra coach to give us feedback and pointers for improvement. A great use of technology to make a difference.”
Andrew Thomas
“I increased my clients by 70% and raised my fees twice while working with Sue Belton on the Thriving Coach Programme.”
Henrietta Szovati, CPCC
HeartSmart Coaching, UK
“After ten months of working with Sue Belton, I now have two well-developed offers, I pay myself more than ever before, and I made a 900% return on the money I invested. Sue had the perfect balance of warmth and directness.”
Shelley Lawrence, M.Ed, CPCC, ACC
Educational & Life Coach, USA
“One of the big things Sue Belton and I worked on together was my relationship to money: being able to ask for what I am worth without feeling shame or guilt about it. Together we created a 3-tier rate card for both 1:1 clients and corporate clients.”
Mildred Fischli, CPCC, ACC
Leadership Coach, Zurich
“Since working with Sue Belton I’ve completely reshaped my packages and programmes and created an infrastructure that makes it simple and easy for people to work with me. Being mentored by Sue is like being in a masterclass for how to be a professional coach who knows her value.”
Caroline Storey
Certified Career & Life Leadership Coach, UK
Find Out More About Sue Belton
Sue Belton (PCC, CPCC) is an award-winning executive coach, leadership coach, and best-selling author based in London, UK. After 15 years as a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary producer and director, a single conversation with a coach changed the course of her life. She trained and certified as a professional coach with the Co-Active Training Institute and founded her company, Belton Executive Coaching & Consulting Ltd, in 2008.
Sue has coached senior leaders, managing directors, founders, and C-suite executives at organisations including Virgin Wines, Curtis Brown, Costain, and Generali. She coaches through three programmes: the Strategic Leader Programme, the Emerging Leader Programme, and the Thriving Coach Programme.
Sue is the best-selling author of two books, Screw Meditation! (W&M Publishing, 2023) and Change Your Life in 5 (Welbeck Publishing, 2020) and has contributed to three best-selling edited collections. She hosted the Change Makers podcast, downloaded in more than 28 countries, and regularly appears as a guest on other podcasts, speaking on leadership, burnout, and the neuroscience of change.
Sue has won numerous coaching and business awards, including a Silver Stevie Award for Coach of the Year (2025), a Gold Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2020), and Silver in the Best Business Women Awards, Best Coach category (2021).
Books
Sue Belton is the best-selling author of two books and a contributor to several edited collections.
- Screw Meditation! How to switch off a busy brain, be more productive and enjoy life! W&M Publishing, 2023. ISBN-13: 978-1914265853 / ISBN-10: 1914265858. A practical guide for busy, time-poor professionals who want to switch off a busy brain and have tried everything, meditation and mindfulness included, without success. Six research-backed techniques to quiet a racing mind, work better, and enjoy life again. Best-seller: UK #1 Best Seller and #1 Hot New Release, USA Top 50 and #10 in Business Management & Leadership. Finalist, The Business Book Awards, 2024.
- Change Your Life in 5: Practical steps to making meaningful change in your life Welbeck Publishing, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1859064603 / ISBN-10: 1859064604. Foreword by Karen Kimsey-House, co-founder of the Co-Active Training Institute. A write-in coaching workbook built around a five-step method: clarify, conquer, choose, celebrate, and commit. Combining psychology, neuroscience, and practical coaching techniques, it covers fear, self-sabotage, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, self-compassion, and learning to say no. Finalist, Personal Development and Wellbeing category, The Business Book Awards, 2021.
Contributing Author
Sue has also contributed chapters to several best-selling edited collections:
- “The Drivers that Dimmed Me (and How I Reclaimed My Light) in Shine, edited by Joan Scott and Andrew Priestley (W&M Publishing, 2025). ISBN-13: 978-1917265478
- “Your One Wild and Precious Life” in Retire Inspire 2, edited by Andrew Priestley (W&M Publishing, 2025)
- Leading From The Heart, by Joan Scott and Andrew Priestley (W&M Publishing, 2024). ISBN-13: 978-1914265952
Coach
Sue Belton has been recognised for her coaching and her books by several leading award bodies:
- 2025 Coach of the Year, Silver Stevie Award. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business. [stevieawards.com]
- 2024 Finalist, for Screw Meditation! The Business Book Awards. [ businessbookawards.co.uk]
- 2021 Best Coach (Silver). Best Business Women Awards. [ bestbusinesswomenawards.com]
- 2021 Finalist, Personal Development and Wellbeing category, for Change Your Life in 5. The Business Book Awards. [businessbookawards.co.uk]
- 2020 Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Gold Stevie Award. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business. [stevieawards.com]
Certifications and professional development
- Certificate in Transactional Analysis for Coaching and Leadership, The Therapeutic Coaching Academy, 2024. https://therapeuticcoachingacademy.com
- Accredited Certificate in Coaching with Transactional Analysis, The Therapeutic Coaching Academy, 2023. https://therapeuticcoachingacademy.com
- Accredited Certificate in Group Coaching, Animas Centre for Coaching, 2022. https://www.animascoaching.com
- Alchemy: The Art and Science of Co-Facilitation, CRR UK, 2021. https://www.crruk.com
- Accredited Certificate in Emotional Intelligence Coaching, Animas Centre for Coaching, 2020. https://www.animascoaching.com
- Accredited Certificate in Mindfulness Coaching, Animas Centre for Coaching, 2019. https://www.animascoaching.com
- Applied Neuroscience for Coaches, [provider name and URL to confirm with Sue], 2018
- Gestalt in Organisational Development, The Gestalt Centre, 2014–2015. https://gestaltcentre.org.uk
- Certified Cultural Transformation Tools (CTT) Consultant, Barrett Values Centre, 2014. https://www.valuescentre.com
- Advanced Neuroscience Coach Training, BEabove Leadership, 2013. https://www.beaboveleadership.com
- Certified Practitioner, Hogan Assessments, 2013. https://www.hoganassessments.com
- Leadership Programme Graduate, Organizational Leadership, Co-Active Training Institute, 2012–2013. https://coactive.com
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF), 2012. https://coachingfederation.org
- Organisation & Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC), CRR UK, 2012. https://www.crruk.com
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation (ICF), 2009 (superseded by PCC). https://coachingfederation.org
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), 2009. https://coactive.com
Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, University of Lancashire (formerly the University of Central Lancashire), 1992
- HND in Media Production & Business Studies, Farnborough College of Technology, 1992
Professional roles and community contributions
- International Coaching Federation (ICF): member, PCC credential
- Co-Active Training Institute (CTI): Business Mentor, leading the monthly Business of Coaching mentoring and Q&A series for new coaches (2017–2022); CTI London Ambassador (2013–2014); UK Local Groups Leader (2010–2014); Corporate Business Manager (2013–2015)
- AllBright: Academy Faculty and Mentor, mentoring professional women and female leaders for this global women’s leadership network (2019–present)
- Spark Inside: Trustee, supporting coaching for young people leaving Young Offender Institutions (2012–2014)
Teaching, presentations, and podcast appearances
- Host, Change Makers: Ordinary People Making Extraordinary Changes (podcast), downloaded in more than 28 countries
- Executive Coach, University of Bath School of Management, coaching Executive and Full-Time MBA students (2025–present)
- MBA Guest Lecturer, Fachhochschule Kärnten (Carinthia University of Applied Sciences), on leadership coaching (2021–present)
- Host, The Business of Coaching live monthly Q&A series, Co-Active Training Institute
Selected work experience
- Founder and Lead Executive Coach, Belton Executive Coaching & Consulting Ltd (2008–present). Clients have included Generali, Costain, Curtis Brown, Virgin Wines, Zühlke, Ogilvy, Getty Images, M Group Services, Astellas Pharma, and Squiz.
- BAFTA-nominated Producer and Director, BBC Documentaries & Factual (1993–2008). Credits include Inside Story, Jailbirds, Rogue Traders, Watchdog, and Holiday.
