THE ART OF PROFESSIONAL COACHING
An interactive blend of in-person and virtual learning, supporting you towards your first ICF credential – led by a Doctor of Coaching and an ICF Master Certified Coach.
Booking now for March 2026
The next Art of Professional Coaching programme starts on 10 March 2026 in London.
Find out how to register your interest by clicking the button below.
What people say...
For internal & external coaches
Hone your skills to practice coaching professionally and create credibility with clients.
For effective leaders & professionals
Create more effective communication that unleashes creativity and drives performance.
WHAT IS THE ICF?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s leading professional body for coaches, with over 50,000 credential-holders across 157 countries and setting the global standards for ethical, high-quality coaching.
For many clients and employers, working with an ICF-credentialed coach is the baseline expectation.
The ICF plays a central role in ensuring coaching is:
- Ethical – guided by a clear Code of Ethics
- Professional – anchored in evidence and best practice
- Consistent – through a shared set of Core Competencies
- Recognised worldwide – trusted by organisations across sectors.
THE EDUCATORS
Dr David Lowe
Programme designer and co-lead | ICF-PCC, ICE-AC
David is a coach, trainer, author and podcaster whose approach is underpinned by the belief that everyone has the right to improve both their professional and personal life. He is renowned for his friendly and engaging style, and has worked with a range of different organisations across a number of sectors, such as Government Digital Service, Ford, Bayer and Unilever.
Noting that he used humour less in coaching than he does in other areas (i.e. training, mentoring and facilitating), David conducted a four-year doctoral research programme at Oxford Brookes to explore the experience of humour within coaching and has published numerous books. He is also the host of the popular THE COACH’S BACKPACK podcast.
Linda Spencer MCC
Director of Education and co-lead | ICF-MCC, MA
Following a career in automotive procurement, including 9 years at BMW’s headquarters in Germany, Linda pivoted to a new career as an executive coach. Now with a track record of over a decade, she holds a master’s degree in Coaching and Mentoring Practice, has published research, and has coached hundreds of leaders and professionals, from Colorado to Lahore and Stockholm to Cape Town, in industries ranging from banking to aerospace engineering.
Linda is designated a Master Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF-MCC) – their highest level – and values her work in coach education and mentor coaching as a sustainable way to keep her own skills honed and up to date, as well as to help others to make the world of work a more positive place to be.
THE MODULES
Module 1: Practical Coaching Skills
A 3-day in-person workshop building core coaching skills including over seven hours of hands-on practice, observation, feedback and real coaching experience.
Module 2: Advanced Coaching Skills
Six fortnightly 3-hour online sessions, plus a one-hour wrap-up, exploring the ICF core competencies through discussions, interwoven with real-time practice and feedback.
Module 3: Mentor Coaching
Seven 1-hour group mentor coaching sessions alongside three 1-hour one-to-one to deepen your competence through focused feedback, skills refinement and ICF-aligned developmental guidance.
Supported by some additional private study preparation and reflection.
On completion of this course, you'll walk away with:
1
A transformative practice including developing presence, deep listening and the ability to create powerful shifts in others.
2
Proven frameworks, tools and techniques to facilitate meaningful change, build self-awareness and unlock potential in individuals and teams.
3
The competence to coach effectively, establishing credibility as a trusted professional coach.
4
A supportive community of peers and mentors to practise with, share experiences and continue developing your craft and coaching identity.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ACCESS?
Join the Coach Hub
A supportive global space for coaches who want to:
Practise real coaching in a safe environment
Explore challenges with others
Connect with peers
Build confidence and presence
Develop their business
Access an evolving library of resources
Whether you’re new to coaching or an experienced practitioner, the Coach Hub helps you continue growing your craft.
Visual Coaching Tools
Explore a growing library of visual summaries and coaching tools — including diagrams, models and easy-to-share sketchnotes for your own learning or teaching.
Videos, talks & micro-learnings
Short, practical teaching sessions covering a variety of coaching approaches, techniques and more. Includes webinar clips, teaching extracts and walk-throughs of key coaching concepts.
Research insights
Findings from David’s research — including the Relational Jam Model, Humour Notation System and early insights from the Global Humour Study. Practical, evidence-based resources to help coaches use humour safely and skilfully.
COURSE DATES
Starts 10 March 2026
London
Join us in person in St James’ Park, London, for three immersive days of Module 1, developing core coaching skills through focused, hands-on practice.
Online modules 2 and 3 begin 24 March and run until 14 July 2026.
£4,000 (excluding VAT)
Starts 22 September 2026
Bristol
Join us in person in Bristol at Engineers’ House for three immersive days of Module 1, developing core coaching skills through focused, hands-on practice.
Online modules 2 and 3 begin 20 October and run until 9 February 2027.
£4,000 (excluding VAT)
Starts 23 February 2027
Leamington Spa
Join us in person for a residential Module 1 at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa — three immersive days of hands-on coaching practice in a focused, supportive learning environment.
Online modules 2 and 3 begin 9 March and run until 6 July 2027.
£5,000 (excluding VAT)
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a six‑month, ICF‑accredited Level 1 coach education programme—a blend of in‑person and virtual learning—designed to help you develop credible, professional coaching skills rooted in empathy, presence and ethical practice.
- Practising or aspiring internal and external professional coaches
- Managers, team leads or individuals with direct reports looking to weave coaching into their leadership
- Anyone invested in personal and professional development who seeks to grow in their current or future role
- Become a confident, professional coach with empathy and purpose
- Meet and develop with other coaches from different backgrounds
- Fast-track your career by earning certification and elevating your profile
- Empower others and unlock their potential while creating stronger, more productive teams
- Satisfy the educational criteria for the ICF ACC/level 1 credential
- Module 1: Three days intensive, in-person training, including learning, and plenty of practice and feedback.
- Module 2: Seven online group sessions, each three hours long, held every two weeks, with a mixture of learning, practice and feedback.
- Module 3: Seven online group sessions, each 1 hour long, held every two weeks, including exploring your questions, about coaching, promoting your own analytical skills and honing your ability to give and recieve constructive feedback plus three one-hour mentor coaching sessions at your own convenience including analysis and feedback on recordings of you delivering coaching, to help you define and refine your own unique coaching style
Participants engage in over 74 hours of interactive, real‑world coaching experience, including several hours of practice with feedback from both course leaders and peers on your coaching.
Both Linda and David lead the programme and teach module 1 together. Modules 2 and 3 are taken by either Linda or David (and sometimes both).
Linda Spencer (ICF‑MCC, MA) — Director of Education and co‑lead. With a decade of executive coaching experience, including work at BMW and across diverse international sectors, she now specialises in mentor coaching and coach education.
Dr David Lowe (ICF‑PCC, ICE‑AC) — Programme designer and co‑lead. A coach, trainer, author and podcaster, his background includes work with organisations like GDS, Ford, Bayer, and Unilever—he also carries out doctoral research at Oxford Brookes University exploring humour in coaching.
The upcoming cohort starts on 10 March 2026 with Module 1 in London.
Simply click “Register interest” on this course page and either send us a message or book a 20-minute call to discuss. Once you decide to join, you can pay via invoice or credit card.
If you’re unsure whether this is suitable, please get in touch: either send us a message or schedule a 20-minute call to discuss.
It’s a blended format: a combination of face-to-face learning and remote, online sessions—to cater to immersive and flexible learning preferences.