Suzi Read

Experience

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  Charlotte Sweeney Associates Ltd

  Associate Consultant & Coach

  Nov 2023 - Present

  Charlotte Sweeney Associates is a B Corp consultancy specialising in inclusive leadership, culture transformation and human-centred organisational change, delivering learning, diagnostics and advisory to global clients.

  • Delivered leadership and culture change programmes, including board and executive coaching interventions.
  • Coached senior leaders to build inclusive behaviours and psychological safety across teams.
  • Designed and facilitated CSA’s Leading Inclusive Change modules and alumni peer cohorts.
  • Ran diagnostics (e.g., Leaders FIRST©) and translated insights into actionable culture change plans.
  • Supported clients to embed fairness and inclusion into workforce planning, AI adoption and talent processes.
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  Center for Creative Leadership

  Associate Coach, Faculty & Design

  Oct 2023 - Present

  Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a global nonprofit specialising in transformative leadership development, research and learning solutions for individuals, teams and organisations across career stages.

  • Served as Associate Coach and faculty member delivering CCL executive and leadership programmes globally.
  • Co-designed blended learning experiences and assessments to support lasting behaviour change in leaders.
  • Delivered one-to-one executive coaching aligned to CCL frameworks and organisational objectives.
  • Contributed to curriculum design, facilitator development and evaluation of programme effectiveness.
  • Supported client customisation of CCL content for sector- and culture-specific leadership needs.
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  Yes Futures

  Volunteer Coach

  Sep 2023 - Present

  Yes Futures is an award-winning London charity delivering intensive, extra-curricular personal-development programmes that raise aspiration, resilience and wellbeing for young people, aligned to Ofsted wellbeing frameworks and Gatsby Benchmarks.

  • Volunteered as a coach delivering structured personal-development workshops to students aged 10–16.
  • Helped young people build self-awareness, resilience, communication and transition skills.
  • Coached pupils one-to-one to set goals, strengthen motivation and improve self-regulation.
  • Collaborated with teachers to align sessions to school wellbeing and curriculum benchmarks.
  • Contributed to monitoring impact and sharing evidence-based best practice with partner schools.
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  Sum Coaching + Consulting

  Founder, Coach and Consultant

  May 2023 - Present

  Sum Coaching + Consulting delivers purpose-led executive coaching, leadership & team development, and organisation development using whole-system and Gestalt-informed approaches. Founded to support authentic, sustainable leadership change through psychology, neuroscience and practical interventions.

  • Founded and scaled a boutique coaching & OD practice focused on executive & senior leadership development.
  • Designed and delivered bespoke executive coaching packages and leadership programmes using Gestalt, NLP and evidence-based approaches.
  • Built a network of associate coaches and practitioners aligned to the Sum values to deliver multi-level organisational projects.
  • Led DE&I and culture-focused interventions that integrated strategic goals with individual behaviour change.
  • Co-created measurement frameworks to track leadership impact and programme ROI for clients.
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  Kindred Group plc

  Director - Talent Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  Jan 2017 - Apr 2023

  Kindred Group (now part of FDJ UNITED) is a global online gambling and entertainment business offering brands and technology across multiple markets with a strong focus on responsible gambling and sustainable operations.

  • Directed Talent Development, L&D and DE&I strategy to drive inclusion, engagement and performance.
  • Built global learning curricula, leadership pipelines and succession plans for senior roles.
  • Implemented performance management and talent review processes to strengthen bench strength.
  • Led culture and change initiatives to align values, regulatory requirements and employee experience.
  • Partnered with HR and business leaders to measure impact and embed accountability for inclusion metrics.
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  Kindred Group plc

  Director - Talent Development, Culture, DEIB

  Jan 2017 - Apr 2023

  • Led Talent Development, Culture and DEIB strategy to embed inclusion and increase engagement.
  • Defined and implemented succession planning, talent reviews and high-potential development.
  • Partnered with senior leaders to align culture, values and performance frameworks across regions.
  • Built measurement and governance to track DEIB progress and link people initiatives to business outcomes.
  • Sponsored cross-functional programmes (learning, wellbeing, ERGs) to strengthen belonging and retention.
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  Collinson Group

  Group Head of Learning and Development

  May 2015 - Dec 2016

  Collinson is a global, privately owned business focused on travel, loyalty and customer engagement solutions (e.g., Priority Pass), delivering products and services that help people travel with greater ease and confidence.

  • Led Group-wide learning & development strategy to upskill leaders and frontline teams across regions.
  • Built capability frameworks, leadership pathways and blended learning offers aligned to business goals.
  • Introduced learning technologies and measurement approaches to track behavioural change and business impact.
  • Partnered with senior stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into targeted development interventions.
  • Oversaw talent programmes including manager development, high-potential acceleration and coaching.

• SR Learning & Coaching

  Director

  Apr 2014 - May 2015

  SR Learning & Coaching is a consultancy specialising in change, learning and coaching interventions to improve leadership capability, customer experience and organisational performance.

  • Directed change and learning programmes across leadership, sales and customer-experience themes.
  • Designed bespoke learning content and facilitated experiential workshops for senior stakeholders.
  • Provided executive coaching and team-development interventions supporting strategic change.
  • Managed client relationships and commercial proposals, growing consultancy engagements.
  • Advised on talent and capability strategies to embed sustainable behaviour change.
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  NKD

  Capability Director

  Sep 2013 - Mar 2014

  NKD is a UK-based employee engagement and culture agency delivering learning, leadership development and employee experience solutions to help organisations activate cultural transformation.

  • Led whole‑company capability strategy across attraction, development and retention during a growth phase.
  • Built recruitment and development processes to attract high‑potential talent and shorten time-to-productivity.
  • Designed and implemented capability frameworks, manager toolkits and internal learning initiatives.
  • Coached leaders and supported change communications to accelerate cultural and performance goals.
  • Partnered with subject-matter teams (behavioural psychologists, creatives) to create engaging L&D offers.
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  Caesars Entertainment Corporation

  Head of L&D

  Oct 2009 - Aug 2013

  Caesars Entertainment is a leading global casino-entertainment company operating hotels, casinos and live entertainment venues delivering hospitality and gaming experiences.

  • Established and led the Learning department, building recruitment and training functions from the ground up.
  • Delivered leadership, talent and customer-service development programmes across multiple sites.
  • Managed cross-border organisational projects including change programmes and talent initiatives.
  • Coached and facilitated at all levels to embed new behaviours and improve service standards.
  • Designed competency-based learning and compliance training to meet regulatory and business needs.

• Northern Rock

  Training and Development Manager

  Mar 2004 - Sep 2008

  Northern Rock is a UK banking brand providing savings, mortgages and financial services with a history of large-scale retail operations and regional customer focus.

  • Designed and delivered training programmes to upskill staff across retail and mortgage functions.
  • Managed end-to-end learning initiatives supporting compliance, service standards and sales capability.
  • Developed onboarding and continuous professional development curricula for front-line colleagues.
  • Collaborated with business leaders to identify capability gaps and create targeted learning solutions.
  • Facilitated workshops and coached managers to improve team performance and customer outcomes.
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  Me

  Musician

  Jan 2004 - Dec 2010

  Independent musician and creative professional delivering live and studio performances, songwriting/top-line composition and band management across commercial and session work.

  • Performed as lead and session vocalist across live gigs and studio recordings.
  • Wrote and co-wrote songs and top‑lines for bands and recording artists.
  • Managed band logistics, bookings and relationships with venues and session producers.
  • Played alto saxophone on selected recordings and live sets to support arrangements.
  • Coordinated rehearsals, rehearsed arrangements and supported creative direction for projects.

• Northern Rock

  Business Development Manager

  Feb 2003 - Mar 2004

  • Established and grew business through client relationship management and targeted prospecting.
  • Worked with internal teams to align product propositions to customer needs and compliance rules.
  • Supported sales training and coached colleagues on solution selling and objection handling.
  • Contributed to local market strategy and collaborated with marketing to increase lead generation.
  • Maintained strong customer service standards and handled complex client enquiries to completion.
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  Barnard Marcus

  Financial Services Manager

  Jun 2001 - Feb 2002

  Global House Estates (Barnard Marcus) is a central London estate agency offering sales, lettings and property management services with a focus on client care and local market expertise.

  • Coached and developed Business Development Managers to improve sales performance and client outcomes.
  • Designed and delivered individual, departmental and organisation-wide training aligned to compliance needs.
  • Managed competency reviews and implemented learning interventions to improve regulatory adherence.
  • Led projects to streamline sales and lettings processes and improve customer experience.
  • Monitored training impact and refined programmes to meet evolving business and legislative requirements.