Region
United Kingdom
Area of expertise
Developing Leaders, Working Parents, Women in the Workplace
Anya Smirnova
Executive Coach
Anya has been delivering executive coaching since 2015. Prior to that Anya enjoyed a 13-year career as a senior M&A lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright, a top global law firm, followed by a family gap year on a tropical island, becoming a women’s health activist, entrepreneur and a coach. Anya’s professional services background ensures that she never underestimates the demands of high-performing cultures.
Anya is particularly interested in supporting people at times of transition in career and life when the path is not clear and the temptation is high to trade in dreams and ambitions for the security of the well-known. Anya believes that coaching provides the approach, support and time required for self-exploration, balance and gaining clarity. We all have the answers to our most pressing questions, but they are hidden under the day-to-day chaos of life. Answers need to be discovered, it is an exploration.
Anya worked and lived in the UK, Singapore, Russia and France and is now based in London. She supports humanitarian causes through pro bono coaching for the ICRC world workers, volunteers as a Governor for a local primary school and is a keen ukulele player.
Coaching Style
Clients say that “Anya has a natural ability to make you recognise your own potential” and describe her style as inspiring, wholehearted and challenging her clients to grow beyond their comfort zones.
Anya’s approach is to balance self-exploration and action. She supports her clients in gaining awareness of their strengths, patterns and impact, and translating such self-awareness into meaningful and powerful action.
An underlying principle of Anya’s coaching is that people are naturally creative, resourceful and whole, and so they have the means to solve their own challenges.
With clients Anya acts as a thinking partner. She listens closely to what you are saying (and not saying) and asks questions to help you find the answers that are most valuable and relevant to you. By finding your own answers, you create more energy and commitment to take action towards your goals.
Special Interests
- Life shifts
- Parental transition
- Women’s health, its impact on mindset and career
- Authenticity. Personal leadership style
- Career progression
Training & Qualifications
- Certified Co-Active Professional Coach (Coaches Training Institute)
- Executive & Health Coach (Academy of Executive Coaching)
- Member of the International Coaching Federation
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (2005)
Current Clients
Anya has experience working across various sectors, including law, finance, pharma, recruitment, PR, healthcare, public services, entrepreneurship and humanitarian NGOs.
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