Ryan Lakhan-Bunbury
As a senior leadership coach and consultant for a prominent FTSE 100 company, I spent over a decade helping leaders navigate complex challenges. I worked closely with clients to identify unhelpful behavioural patterns, enabling them to take meaningful action that improved their leadership capability and performance.
This work ignited a deep passion for supporting others, and eventually, I led my own team of coaches. This gave me first-hand leadership experience in a corporate setting and further strengthened my ability to empathise with the challenges leaders face every day.
During my corporate career I also served as a coaching and strategic learning partner for senior executives for a FTSE 100 Bank. During my tenure, I particularly championed diversity and inclusion as well as employee well-being with an emphasis on ways to support employee mental health. My contributions to board-level discussions played a pivotal role in shaping people strategy, ensuring leadership development aligned with business goals and a purpose-driven culture.
Dedicated to promoting leadership with impact, I facilitated panel discussions with senior executives and external stakeholders, sparking critical conversations on topics such as purposeful leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These discussions not only broadened perspectives but also drove meaningful change within the organisation.
Leadership and coaching experience
- Senior leadership coach and consultant with experience in a FTSE 100 company.
- Over a decade of experience helping leaders navigate complex challenges.
- Expertise in identifying unhelpful behavioural patterns to enhance leadership capability.
- Led a team of coaches, gaining direct leadership experience.
- Passionate about supporting others and deeply empathetic to leadership challenges.
My personal journey with anxiety
Alongside my professional journey, I have faced my own personal challenges with anxiety particularly panic disorder, agoraphobia, and insomnia.
These experiences gave me profound empathy for those struggling with similar issues.
Fortunately, through coaching and therapy, I was able to overcome them, which deepened my understanding of the power of a holistic approach to personal growth.
This fuelled my passion for mental health advocacy. I collaborated with charities such as Anxiety UK and Mind, authoring articles, supporting national helplines, and contributing to focus groups shaping nationwide mental health initiatives. On World Mental Health Day, I was invited as a panellist alongside the CEO of Telent to share my journey with leaders and employees, helping to normalise conversations about mental well-being in the workplace.
Supporting Leaders in Overcoming Challenges
I help leaders take proactive steps to manage issues such as procrastination, performance challenges, time management, and business growth, while also addressing the impact anxiety may have on their ability to lead effectively.
Guiding Individuals Through Anxiety & Stress
I work with individuals experiencing overwhelming anxiety—whether it’s excessive worrying, panic attacks, stress, or sleep difficulties. I provide practical, evidence-based tools and techniques to help you regain control, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall mental and emotional well-being.
Blending coaching and psychology
As I continued to work with leaders, I noticed that anxiety often played a significant role in leadership struggles. My personal experience of anxiety, coupled with my leadership coaching experience and my desire to help others facing similar challenges therefore led me to establish my coaching business Calm That Anxiety.
Driven by a desire to share the tools and techniques, that helped navigate anxiety, I made the bold decision to transition away from my corporate leadership coaching role in banking to obtain formal clinical training in psychology-based approaches in CBT. This led me to work within the NHS, gaining hands-on experience in delivering therapy for anxiety and stress-related conditions…
Working with me
I am known for my ability to challenge unhelpful beliefs and behaviours in a way that is both calm and empathetic. . My approach is collaborative—I work at a pace that feels manageable while also gently holding my clients accountable for their progress and outcomes.
I believe that real transformation happens when insight meets action. Whether you’re a senior leader, a business owner, or someone looking to better manage anxiety, I’m here to help you take that next step forward
Professional Qualifications
PGCert in CBT for Common Mental Health Problems with UCL (British Psychological Society Accreditied )
Degree BA (Hons) Business Economics
Certified EQ-I 2.0 & EQ 360 Feedback Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (MHS)
Henley Business School, University of Reading – Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching
The Coaching Academy – Diploma in Performance Coaching – Grade Distinction
ICF Professional Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
St John Ambulance – FAQ LEVEL 3 Award in Mental Health First Aider (RQF)
The Coaching Academy – Certificate in NLP at a Practitioner’s Level
Academy of Executive Coaching – Systemic Team Coaching Certificate
Scrum.org – Professional Agile Scrum Master
Three unique facts about me
1. I dance Lindy Hop, which is a dance that originated from the late 1920’s to 40’s in Harlem, New York in African American communitites.
2. I speak Spanish fluently and enjoy travelling to cities within Spain – one my favourite dishes is Pulpo al la Gallega – which is grilled Octopus dish.
3. I can’t swim (yet!) But I’ve started to take regular lessons. Learning to swim remains a personal goal I’m determined to make progress on this year.
Work with me
Whether you’re a leader managing corporate challenges or someone seeking support for personal well-being, I am here to guide you through overcoming anxiety and stress, empowering you to live and lead with confidence
Accreditations
