David Backinsell, Lead Coach, Europe

David Backinsell has provided leadership development, executive coaching and consulting services to the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors for over 15 years. His work has focused primarily with Board and senior-level leaders, general managers, functional heads, and country/region managers. He is also committed to contributing to his community as evidenced through his pro bono work with the under-privileged, young people, and minority groups.

David’s coaching relationships are based upon trust. His coaching philosophy applies personal construct theory to help people increase their awareness of self and their impact on others. He is a practical, pragmatic and empathetic coach who aims to be forward-looking and solutions oriented. His emphasis is on building and leveraging people’s ‘spike’ strengths while addressing their development needs. His years as an internal executive leave him deeply committed to tying coaching goals to the goals of the organisation, and engaging line managers and internal resources to ensure both maximum individual development and maximum positive business impact.

David spent nearly 15 years with Ford Europe where, ultimately, he was responsible for overseas business development. After three years as a mature student at the University of Cambridge, he spent 10 years working in IT and media businesses that he founded, before establishing a consulting business that advised retail organizations across Europe on customer service delivery performance, processes and training. This led him to working, and qualifying, as a business coach.

In 2007-9 he led the coaching function at YSC Limited, a UK-based firm of business psychologists with offices around the world. In this role he built a global team of executive coaches capable of working at senior levels and with teams.

David has both multi-national and multi-cultural management experience, gained while working in the UK, Germany, the USA and South America. He also has substantial experience in business start-up and turnaround situations through working with venture capital and private equity funds.

David’s clients include AstraZeneca, BMW, Credit Suisse, Citi Group, Consort Medical, Dept. of Trade & Industry, Diageo, European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Ford, GfK, Hexcel Composites, Kuoni Travel, LloydsTSB Bank, Lloyds Register, Mars Chocolate, Ministry of Defence, PepsiCo, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Skandia Life, Standard Bank, Tesco Stores, Travelport, University of London, Visa Europe, Towers Watson, and others.

His interests include landscape photography, choral music, current affairs and flying helicopters. He is a Governor of an inner-London High School, a Trustee of a major educational charity, and holds two non-executive directorships.

Professional Coaching Experience: 15+ years