Specialist executive search and talent advisory firm Holmes Noble, has announced a strategic partnership with EMCC-accredited executive coaching practice MRA Executive Coaching (MRA). This industry-first alliance combines talent identification with comprehensive coaching and development programmes that transform senior executives into exceptional board-level leaders.
This partnership addresses a critical corporate gap. Only 19 per cent of organisations maintain succession plans, with just one in five directors viewing their succession processes as ‘excellent’. Meanwhile, it’s estimated up to half of newly appointed senior leaders are considered to be failing within 18 months, presenting a significant risk to organisational continuity and growth that this joint initiative addresses.
A holistic proposition for pole position
Operationally, this collaboration offers a full suite of services designed to support leaders at every stage of their journey to board level impact, delivered by coaches with postgraduate qualifications and EMCC Global accreditation, and specialist expertise in Neurodiversity, Mental Health, Corporate Governance and leadership psychometrics:
- Individual executive development– Bespoke 1:1 coaching programmes and comprehensive psychometric profiling using globally recognised tools to build self-awareness, confidence and leadership impact through personalised development planning and 360-degree feedback
- Executive transition support– 30-week programmes supporting executives through critical role changes, starting six weeks before transition
- Leadership team coaching and effectiveness– Four-phase programmes combining insights-led interviews, psychometric profiling and systemic coaching, alongside structured team effectiveness reviews evaluating purpose, governance, trust, culture and stakeholder value creation
- Board-level development– Comprehensive board effectiveness reviews using the MRA Global Board Excellence Framework, coupled with executive board coaching programmes that deliver sustainable behavioural change through coaches qualified in both Executive Coaching and Corporate Governance
- Non-Executive Director (NED) readiness– Development programmes combining executive coaching with board-level skills, strategic decision-making, risk management and governance foundations to accelerate NED readiness and strengthen leadership pipelines.
This end-to-end approach ensures organisations protect their investment in executive appointments while maintaining continuity at the highest levels.
Having already supported several organisations, Holmes Noble and MRA are offering complimentary leadership readiness assessments to organisations strengthening their succession planning.
Commenting on the move, Amy Speake, Chief Executive of Holmes Noble, said: “The boardroom needs brilliant minds of course, but we must also develop leaders who can navigate complexity, build trust under pressure and drive transformation. This alliance ensures leaders have access to world-class development programmes that build the strategic capability, governance expertise and leadership impact needed at board level.”
“Exceptional board leadership doesn’t happen by chance,” added Matthew Radley, CEO of MRA. “Our comprehensive coaching programmes create the high-support, high-challenge environment where senior executives develop the confidence, self-awareness and strategic thinking required to excel in the boardroom and shape the future of their organisations.”
