Isobel Gowan

Isobel specialises in management, leadership and organisational development, currently working with both groups and individuals in the NHS and other public and private sector organisations. Her key skills include coaching; facilitation; partnership; management of change; organisational, leadership and board development; and improving communication and effective decision-making.

Isobel has worked on programmes supporting the development of senior doctors in training, General Practitioners and other health professionals. She coaches a variety of individuals at Director and Chief Executive level.  She takes a holistic approach whilst helping them achieve their work and personal goals.

Isobel has more than 20 years’ experience as an NHS Manager, latterly as Chief Executive leading a merged acute and community Trust that spanned two DGHs, four community hospitals, five borough/district councils and two County Councils.  Following that she worked for a national consultancy company and combined project work with helping that company grow and develop.  For the last five years she has run her own Coaching and Organisational Development business, worked with colleagues on a variety of NHS based developmental programmes and most recently established a new company to support the development of primary care through General Practitioners. With Future Considerations she has worked with South Gloucestershire PCT and on a major NHS Project for the Carbon Trust.

Isobel is an accredited assessor for psychometric testing including 16PF5 and Myers Briggs and has trained in Thinking Partnerships (Nancy Kline).  She has a degree in languages, diploma in Health Service Management and an MSc in Organisational Behaviour. Her thesis focussed on women in leadership.
Isobel is a member of the ANKLe Club, a leadership network for senior women leaders across all sectors. Set up 5 years ago, the network set themselves the task of pioneering A New Kind of Leadership (hence the name of the group) and have developed their own curriculum. The network runs regular development sessions to ensure that all participants remain at the forefront of leadership thinking.

Isobel was born and educated in Scotland and her “scottishness” is very important to her.  She is married and when not working loves running, hill walking, and reading, singing in a small choir and relaxing (?) with her two lively sons.