Coaching — Silbury | Leading Transformation

I coach senior leaders across the creative industries who are leading or preparing to lead business change.

The challenge of change

The creative industries are being reshaped by immense market and technological change. For some businesses that creates pressure to rethink established models. For others it creates opportunities to grow or develop new capabilities.

Transforming businesses is hard. Research shows that 96% of transformations hit a point where they go, or risk going, off course*. Those that navigate these moments successfully are almost twice as likely to exceed their goals.

Leading transformation requires leaders to make difficult choices, bring people with them and sustain current performance while building for the future. It’s a significant challenge that can test judgement, relationships, confidence and energy.

I know this from experience: leading change has been the toughest work of my career; it has also been the most rewarding.

*EY and University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, 2024

01 — About Oliver

Experience and approach

I’m the founder and MD of Silbury, a leadership and strategy consultancy. I previously held senior leadership roles across the BBC and in the independent production sector and have led several major business transformations.

I bring more than 25 years’ experience as a senior leader, advisor, non-exec director and executive coach in the content industries, and a deep understanding of the commercial, organisational and leadership demands of business change in the creative industries.

I am an ICF credentialed coach and hold a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School.

02 — Clients

Who I work with

I work with senior leaders who may be facing situations like these:

Scaling a growing business or pursuing major new opportunities
Reshaping a business around a changed market, new technology or new economics
Newly in role and needing to establish direction and momentum
Leading a major strategic or organisational transformation
Under pressure to improve performance or lead difficult change

And asking questions like these:

How do I turn business change into lasting improvements in performance?
How does my leadership need to develop for the business I am trying to build?
How do I align my leadership team and enable them to lead the change?
How do I make good decisions when there is significant uncertainty?
How do I build support with my board and other important stakeholders?
How do I sustain my judgement, energy and resilience through prolonged change?

03 — Programme

Working with me

My coaching programmes give leaders a confidential, independent space to think clearly, test difficult decisions and lead change with greater confidence, resilience and momentum.

For organisations, these programmes support leaders to deliver successful business change while sustaining performance. They also help the organisation develop and retain senior talent.

As well as working with individuals, I coach leadership teams, including through our Unlock programme, which combines strategic work with leadership team development.

Coaching programmes include:

Clear leadership and business goal setting
Regular one-to-one sessions
Flexible sessions when needed
Mid-point and final reviews against agreed goals
Optional Hogan leadership assessment

Programmes typically run for 6–9 months. I also offer a focused programme for leaders in the first 100 days of a new role.

04 — Testimonials

What clients say

Oliver’s guiding hand has been a key element in enabling me to successfully run an independent production company – coaching me through best methods of day-to-day practice as well as how to manage extremely complex and often stressful scenarios.

Managing Director,
Independent Production

Oliver is a brilliant coach, with the ability to pull focus to expand to the bigger picture, while also patiently and intuitively focussing on particular issues and problems. His mix of tact, intuition and business nous made him the perfect resource. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.

Managing Director,
TV Industry

Oliver’s coaching has not just been pivotal in refining my thinking but has also shaped the core of my professional ethos. He encourages me to engage with others with genuine understanding, expands my perspective, and fosters a deep sense of confidence in my ability to achieve my goals and bring impact to my role.

Global Head of Marketing,
Music Industry

05 — Contact

Get in touch

Please contact me to arrange a confidential introductory conversation.