Career Advice in London

Simon Broomer

Simon Broomer, CareerBalance founder and director

Simon is a career planning and a job search specialist. He uses a combination of professional counselling skills, expert guidance and coaching to ensure you can make informed decisions and take the action you need to progress your career.

Simon holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Management and Counselling from the University of London.

He has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of career management and people development. Simon established CareerBalance in 2001. He has worked as an associate with leading career management consultancies. He qualified and practiced as a solicitor. Simon’s career includes training, people development and sales and marketing roles. He’s worked for Pearson Plc, Herbert Smith, Chase Manhattan Bank, the NHS, SpeakFirst Training and Reed Elsevier plc. His clients come from all backgrounds, occupations and sectors so he has a wealth of knowledge about the modern job market and new careers.

Simon's comments on how to manage your career appear in the Career Section of the Times.

Karen Gill

Karen Gill BA (Hons) Law, Career & Talent Management Specialist

"I work with clients in a pragmatic way which is tailored to your individual needs. I enable you to recognise and use your own talents, motivations and skills, and to establish your goals to manage your career effectively. This process is rarely a 'quick fix' but will give you effective tools to manage your life and career long after our work together has finished.

"As a trained career counsellor and with over twenty years in the recruitment field I possess extensive knowledge of the job market and how to secure the best job opportunities. If you are looking to set up and run your own business, I can also assist you as I was one of the founders and directors of successful company for several years."

Karen is a career coach and counsellor. Originally qualified as a solicitor specialising in employment law, Karen has worked in a large London law firm and in the legal department of a major public company. Karen went on to co-found Graham Gill, a leading legal recruitment company, where she was a Director for 18 years.

Karen has worked with professionals, particularly lawyers, at all levels. She has made her own career changes from lawyer to entrepreneur to career coach and counsellor. She has also taken career breaks to retrain and to redirect her skills and expertise. Karen works as a Samaritan in her spare time.

Karen was interviewed by MoretoLaw.

Peter Wilford

Peter Wilford WIFD, Career Management Specialist

My approach

“I work with clients in a very hands on way. I look for the strengths in any client and help them to build on them and to develop others by offering impartial but focused advice using a range of supportive skills including coaching, counselling and mentoring. I bring a commercial outlook to situations derived from having worked in many organisations both as an HR and Training specialist and as an external Consultant and Coach who has grown and managed a business”.

Biography

Peter Wilford has a background in Human Resources and Training of over 30 years.  His wide experience includes financial services in the City (Charterhouse PLC, Noble Group), oil (Texaco), telecommunications (Cable and Wireless) and construction and engineering (Biwater, Trafalgar House/Kvaerner).

Peter moved from employment to set up his own business and retrained enhancing his skills and expertise.  He ran a niche consultancy providing tailored HR/Training solutions to SME’s and mid cap organisations undergoing change and has managed a portfolio career. As a Career and outplacement consultant he delivers one to one coaching and group support to the corporate and private markets. He is BPS accredited for testing and assessment and is a Fellow of the CIPD.

Peter has worked with organisations across most business sectors, private and public and at all levels from graduates and others entering the job market for the first time to those with many years experience looking to make a career move, discover new options and avenues including self employment or identify, develop and utilise their broader transferable skills, mid career.  

He works with professionals at all levels from shop floor to boardroom. His clients include lawyers, surveyors, engineers, architects, sales and finance specialists, teachers, marketing, advertising, PR and media executives and those from entertainment and broadcasting and in local government and charities. He has worked with and mentored many HR and Training specialists.

Linda Aitken

Linda Aitken BA, Pre-Retirement Planning Specialist

“I have a very positive and interactive approach which is firm but supportive and which encourages clients to take responsibility for their future, both personally and financially.

In enhancing awareness of the importance of both personal and financial planning for the future, I give relevant guidance so that clients can make informed decisions and ensure they are properly prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Consistent feedback shows that clients are particularly motivated to move on positively to this next stage of their lives – and, hopefully, I practice what I preach!”

Linda Aitken has followed a career with Marks & Spencer plc, has specialised in coaching individuals as they make career and life transitions, particularly as they approach the second half of their lives.

Linda is a skilled facilitator and communicator with a unique blend of commercial and personnel expertise. Having worked throughout the UK and also in the Far East, she has gained experience in this arena for over 15 years and is passionate about helping people to be well prepared as they approach retirement. Her experience has been gained working with major organisations in both the public and private sectors. She coaches individuals and groups on pre-retirement issues.

Private sector clients have included GSK, Royal & Sun Alliance, the Ford Motor Co. and HSBC, as well as associate work with Aviva, H&S Aviation and Exxon Mobil. Public sector organisations include Police and Fire Services as well as the teaching profession.

In her spare time Linda is a Steward at St Georges Chapel in Windsor where she helps run events for the Friends of St Georges and the Windsor Festival. She is also a trustee for Fulcrum – a charity providing personal development programmes for AS level students showing managerial/ leadership potential in schools.