Meet the Team: Giles – Executive Coach & Media Advisor

Giles is an executive coach and international media advisor who has worked with professionals from leading global organisations researching and reporting on sustainability and climate change. His career has spanned frontline reporting in the Middle East to leading teams for a major international news and current affairs channel. Today, he lives in Henley-on-Thames, UK, bringing his passion for communication and transformation to the Climate Change Coaches team.

What makes you care about climate change?

Having spent years working alongside organisations reporting on environmental and climate issues, Giles has seen firsthand how climate change impacts communities, economies, and global stability.

“My background in media made me deeply aware that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a human one. Journalism is essential for fostering an informed citizenry, but coaching offers a different kind of power: helping us adapt personally, organisationally, and societally to create a sustainable future.”

How did you come to join Climate Change Coaches?

Giles was drawn to Climate Change Coaches because its mission bridges personal transformation and global impact — two themes that have shaped his entire career.

“After years of reporting on the climate story, I’ve come to see how mindset and behaviour change are key to meaningful action. Joining the team felt like a natural extension of my work — helping people connect their purpose, influence, and leadership to the wider challenges of our time.”

Why do you love the work you do here?

Giles sees coaching as a powerful complement to journalism: where facts inform, coaching transforms.

“If evidence alone counted, we’d already be much further down the road to a sustainable future. Coaching helps people uncover the beliefs, fears, and patterns that block change — and find the courage and clarity to move forward.”

He works with individuals, teams, and organisations to develop resilience, overcome resistance, and turn good intentions into practical, lasting action.

Tell us about the Green Transition Coach course — why is it special?

“In a world where climate change is increasingly politicised, and where some governments and organisations are pulling back from their commitments, the Green Transition Coach course couldn’t be more timely. It empowers people with coaching skills they can use to navigate both personal and organisational blocks — helping them keep sustainability work moving, even in challenging contexts.”

A story that’s stuck with you

Giles recalls Climate Change Coaches’ collaboration with Oxford Brookes University, which revealed a crucial skills gap among sustainability professionals.

“The research showed that technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. The next generation of sustainability leaders will need to build coalitions, navigate complex dynamics, and inspire action in the face of anxiety and resistance. Coaching creates the reflective space they need to develop these human skills — and sustain their impact over time.”

What makes Climate Change Coaches different?

“What I love about Climate Change Coaches is that climate isn’t incidental to the work — it’s the core of everything we do. The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time, shaping every aspect of how we live and lead. It’s deeply meaningful to be part of a team that places this challenge at its very heart.”

Thoughts on the media’s coverage of climate issues

Giles sees clear parallels between the challenges faced by climate journalists and sustainability professionals:

“Both operate on the frontlines of the crisis, constantly exposed to difficult information. The result can be burnout, frustration, and eco-anxiety — especially when climate stories struggle to get airtime in a fast-paced news cycle. It’s a reminder that both journalists and sustainability professionals need support to stay resilient and hopeful.”

What do you do for fun?

When he’s not coaching or consulting, Giles finds balance in the outdoors.

“I love long walks through fields and forests. It’s where I find calm and perspective. Nature reminds me that growth takes time — and that clarity often comes when we give ourselves space to simply be.”

Words of wisdom for November

“As COP season returns with its familiar headlines of missed targets and dire warnings, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But don’t let the doom spiral pull you under. Behind the bleak summaries, real progress is happening. Renewable energy now produces more electricity than coal, and solar and wind are growing faster than ever.

The story of climate action is bigger and more hopeful than any single summit can capture. Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay optimistic — the future is still being written, and millions are working to make it a good one.”

Final thoughts

“Through the pioneering work of Climate Change Coaches — and Charly Cox’s book — we’re helping people see that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a human one. Real climate action will require deep shifts in our beliefs, values, and behaviours. Coaching operates right at the heart of that transformation.”