Client Impact & Endorsements
Reflections from executive leaders, board members, and transformation teams on delivering strategy-to-outcome value.
I’ve known Ferne for 20+ years, an amazing track record in very complex environments. Very good in not only managing the outcomes but guiding and coaching senior executives, she cuts thru the complexities and politics and avoids inertia.
There are the managers and there are leaders. Managers keep you running on the same spot Leaders take you on a journey. Follow Ferne and be amazed.
Collaborative, authentic, transparent and passionate leader with exceptional communication skills. Brilliant at coordinating. Awesome ability at helping others craft and shape their actions.
Ferne is authentic and generous, with a deep passion for helping others succeed. I have known her for over 20 years and her commitment has never wavered. I’ve seen first-hand the effect she has had on so many individuals and organisations.
Ferne is a strategic, compassionate and transformational leader. Ferne has significant experience in designing and executing transformational programs and strategies for leading Tier 1 organisations in the Banking and Professional Services industries. She is highly collaborative in her approach to finding solutions to complex commercial challenges and brings clarity of communications to get the best from her teams, partners and sponsors. Ferne brings incredible energy and support for her teams and is a joy to work with.
Across my 20+ years of working with people and companies all over the world I must say Ferne is one of the most inspiring hardest working and authentic people & leaders I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with. At first I couldn’t connect the dots .. how was it that this calm, easy to talk to, down to earth person is advising and influencing the C level and boards of some of the largest companies? Then time after time I was there to see the results of her work and hear her praise by people at all levels of the organisation. As I got to work with Ferne over time I discovered she is insightful, balanced, mindful and soulful. Love your work Ferne and thank you for all your guidance and mentoring you gave me in my early days as a young entrepreneur.
I had the pleasure of joining Ferne’s PMO team. Hand selected by Ferne herself, I was immediately inspired by her ability to recognise individuals’ key strengths and bring people together to form a high performing team. Nobody needed to be perfect at everything, but with the knowledge that you were surrounded by good people with diverse skills and styles, anything was achievable. It takes a special kind of leader to do that!
I was excited for the opportunity to work with Ferne for a second time as I knew I’d be joining a colleague who is exceptional and authentic, an innovator who is extremely experienced in establishing efficient and effective program offices – and I wasn’t disappointed. Ferne not only focused on the task at hand by establishing guard rails, simplifying and streamlining the delivery processes, she also ensured the people were empowered by taking them on the journey through mentoring and coaching. I truly hope there is a next time.
It has been my utter pleasure to work closely with Ferne. Ferne is highly collaborative, empowering and a team builder. I found myself enthused and engaged with the full range from detail to strategy. Because of our context every piece of work at the moment feels like it is change and/or transformation related. In this respect Ferne’s emotional intelligence, intuition and endless set of tools meant we were never stuck. Progressing work rapidly with visible outcomes, whilst being inclusive.
The added bonus is the authentic and real manner in which Ferne has challenged my mindset, and occasionally my behaviour. Causing me to reflect on if they were helpful. In times of heightened anxiety and risk, challenging a peer is potentially explosive. Ferne, however, negotiated the challenge in a respectful, value and growth generating way. Looking forward to many future collaborations and coaching with/from Ferne.
Working with Ferne on at the time biggest transformational changes NAB business banking had ever attempted was simply one of the highlights of my career. Her leadership, humour and ability to pull the right people together to have the most important conversations at the right time was incredible. She possessed the unique ability to harness everyone’s skills and direct them to achieve amazing outcomes. Her ability to be strategic and tactical and help people visualise the end experience and how we would get there demonstrates her depth and breadth of experience in global strategic change. If I was asked was there one transformational leader I would wholeheartedly work with again it would be Ferne. Every person’s opinion mattered to her and she truly wanted to understand and measure why we were changing and how it would improve at an individual, team, business unit and organisational level. Her mentorship to all of her colleagues was outstanding. A truly rare leader who comes from the heart and yet is very ready to make tough decisions when needed.
For the first time in a long time I am working with a leader that takes on the leader tittle in consideration of BOTH the person and the task at hand. I am currently working on a complex transformational change under the program directorship of Ferne King. Through her directorship I feel empowered in my own role, I feel positively driven to lead in my specialisation and collaborate with like minded driven peers. I am both encouraged and led by Ferne to keep the focus and true purpose of the initiative top of mind. Ferne takes the time to direct with clarity, drive results , collaborate and encourage collaboration amongst the team. Ferne takes the time to keep the team on target and working each to our strengths. On this high stake, high demand project results have been produced, yes – but coupled with that is the element that make for an enriched working experience – I have been the recipient of praise, and recognition of work well done – it’s something very rare to be held up in regard by a leader and at that level. I would have no hesitation in recommending Ferne for any program Director role.