Reflections from ICF CIO Connection Day 2025

Reflections from ICF CIO Connection Day 2025: Coaching Cultures, Team Alchemy & The Art of Commissioning

By Derek Hill – Internal Coach, HSBC.

On 12th February, I had the pleasure of attending the ICF Coaching in Organisations Connection Day 2025 at the stunning RSA House. This venue truly matched the calibre of the conversations happening inside it.
The day brought together coaching professionals, organisational leaders, and team development experts, all grappling with one big question: How do we embed coaching into the DNA of organisations?
The morning fireside chat "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" was a refreshingly candid exploration of what it really takes to build and sustain coaching cultures within organisations.
Becky Mills and Lise Bruynooghe didn’t just share success stories; they peeled back the layers to reveal the messy realities, the resistance, and the unexpected wins. If there was one key takeaway, it was this: coaching cultures don’t thrive on good intentions alone. They require strategic buy-in, resilience in the face of resistance, and champions at every level.

The afternoon session, Team Coaching Alchemy, was a deep dive into the complexities of team coaching—when it works, when it doesn’t, and how to commission it effectively. With insights from Nathalie McAree, Jeremy Sweeney, and Paul J Barbour, we explored the many modalities of team coaching and the business case for investing in high-performing teams. One big takeaway? Team coaching isn’t glorified facilitation. It’s about creating the space for teams to own their challenges, map their path, and have the tough conversations they’ve probably been avoiding.

But beyond the insights, one of the biggest highlights of the day was the people. I got to connect with an inspiring bunch of coaching champions. People who are passionate about making a real impact in organisations through coaching. The conversations were rich, the ideas were flowing, and the enthusiasm was infectious.
And let’s be honest, the networking was made even better with coffee, canapés, and some seriously tasty cakes. (Because, let’s face it, a well-fed coach is a happy coach. 🍰)
Leaving the event, I was reminded of why I do what I do. Coaching isn’t just about developing individuals. It’s about transforming cultures, shaping leadership, and ultimately making organisations better places to work.

Thank you to all those involved.

Derek Hill,

Internal Coach,

HSBC