Chris Parke

Chris is co-founder and CEO of Talking Talent. He has a Diploma in Clinical Organisational Psychology from INSEAD and was awarded a scholarship MBA from Imperial College London. He has been an executive coach for over 15 years and specialises in coaching senior talent, Partners in professional services firms and HIPO or rising stars. Chris wrote his INSEAD Thesis on understanding the complex transition professional women make when they return to work after having children and how organisations could better retain talented women through maternity. This work underpins some of Talking Talent’s unique coaching models and tools for the maternity transition, a core area of expertise. Chris started his career in investment banking with BZW, where he worked across Europe and Asia. Following his MBA he moved into consulting with PwC and managed cross border organisational and cultural change projects. It was here that Chris' interest in leadership psychology, and helping teams or individuals realise their full potential built. Chris joined Cedar International a coaching company in London to pursue this. From there his passion for the commercial benefits of gender diversity, and balanced leadership teams led Chris to found Talking Talent. Talking Talent supports some of the world’s leading organisations to retain and develop talent. Chris has helped grow the business into a global coaching practice which continues to expand its international network.