Services
Advisory
Even experienced boards and executives need support in building clarity, confidence and capability for the decisions they will need to make — not only in moments of change, but well before them.
Fiona offers a range of services, grounded in experience of stewarding complex, public-facing organisations through growth, change and crises, and supported by contemporary best practice. This could include working with you to:
- Design and facilitate planning and strategy sessions
- Undertake evaluations and reviews: governance, operational, organisational design and more
- Coach and mentor CEOs and senior leaders
- Provide research-based bespoke guidance for new CEO/Chair partnerships
- Improve the focus of meeting agendas and board packs
- Clarify responsibilities, delegations and escalation protocols
- Act as a confidential sounding board on sensitive and urgent issues
Short term & Interim leadership
In a rapidly moving world even best laid plans can be disrupted, and organisations may find themselves in need of additional senior level capability. Fiona can respond rapidly to provide immediate confidence and clear direction. This could include:
- Interim executive leadership and oversight during periods of transition, providing stability, continuity and forward momentum
- Short term project support when senior experience is needed, be it business planning, grant writing, feasibility studies or preparing executives for public speaking or presentations
- Stepping in as chief ‘extra’ officer during moments of intensity: be it change, challenge, growth or overload.
“Fiona worked with me as Chair of Circa to organise and lead a session on board performance and management/ board working relationships. The workshop exceeded my expectations, largely because Fiona’s insights and her ability to draw out the views of the team were so clear and action oriented.”
Ann Sherry AO, Chair Circa (2026)
Fiona works on a small number of focused engagements at any one time. Work begins with a confidential conversation to understand context, priorities and what support would be most impactful. Engagements are tailored rather than templated and may take the form of advisory, project-based work or a combination of both. Where there is a good fit, we agree scope, timing and ways of working that are clear, proportionate and appropriate to the organisation and the work at hand.
Working with Fiona offers:
- Thoughtful, grounded and informed advice
- The development of clarity and commitment across senior leadership and board
- A deep understanding of how and why decisions are made to maximise impact
- A mechanism for challenge, innovation and increased commitment to sustainable and realistic change
- Space for non-judgmental confidential conversations and an experienced sounding board
“Fiona understands, shaped by personal experience and innate ability, that the source of any type of success are great relationships, and that the right thing to do and the most difficult thing to so are usually the same thing. So I recommend tapping into the deep well of Fiona’s expertise – it might just be the best business decision you ever make.”
Andrew Lovett OBE
Chief Executive, Black Country Living Museum
National Council, Arts Council England
Focus Areas
Cultural Governance
Fiona is committed to improving governance in the cultural sector. In March 2026 her paper Strengthening Chair/Chief Executive Practice in the Arts and Cultural sector, commissioned by Arts Council England, was published.
The guide was informed through industry consultation: 50 Chairs and CEOs submitted written observations with a further 20 attending an online session to discuss the final draft before publication. Thanks to Clore Leadership and Cultural Governance Alliance for partnering in the consultation phase.
This led to a sold-out workshop in London in April, presented by Cultural Governance Alliance.
“Born out of a wealth of experience and deep understanding of our sector, this guide shines a light on a vital relationship that is too often left to chance. Our hope is that it gives leaders a useful new tool to build healthier, happier and more resilient organisations”
Mags Patten, Executive Director, Arts Council England
Women in Leadership
As a qualified organisational coach and an experienced mentor, Fiona enjoys helping women step into new and stimulating roles, and to hold their own talent and potential. With experience of taking on CEO roles at organisations that had never previously known female leadership, she knows that being a female leader, even now, comes with different challenges.
“I came to Fiona at a real crossroads in my career—feeling stuck, uncertain, and unsure of what direction to take next. Through her coaching, I began to truly recognise the value of my skills and experience, and to see how I could shape new opportunities. In just a few sessions, I felt more confident, had a clear strategy in place, and felt firmly back in control of my career trajectory”
strategy & policy professional, London (2025)
“Mentoring with Fiona Allan was a deeply impactful experience that strengthened my confidence, leadership thinking, and belief in my creative vision. Her rare combination of senior-level insight, warmth, and personalised guidance led to tangible professional growth and meaningful change in my work. Fiona is an exceptional mentor, coach, and leader.”
Laura O’Shea, Abbey Theatre Dublin (2026)