Making space for you to think.
Salima Virji MA (Cantab)
Business & Personal Coach | Philanthropy & Strategy Consultant
I’m Salima Virji, a qualified personal and business coach, and a philanthropy, fundraising and strategy consultant.
As a trained & qualified coach (Barefoot Coaching PG Cert in Business & Personal Coaching), I give people space to think: to unlock their inner resources of creativity, authenticity, bravery and joy, so that they can maximise their potential and make the changes they want in their lives. I help people connect with what’s most important to them, and navigate a new path forward.
If you have the time, space and resources to do your best thinking, in a safe, confidential space, with supportive challenge where you need it, you’ll come to solutions which work for you, whether your challenges are personal or professional or a combination of both.
As a philanthropy and advancement professional, I have nearly two decades of experience in some of the UK’s leading universities and schools, in fundraising, diversity and inclusion, and teaching. I have broad and deep experience of managing relationships, crafting strategy, and building and growing teams. I’m a skilled manager, mentor, speaker and writer, and bring academic rigour, operational and strategic experience, and emotional intelligence to my work.
I work with leading educators, charities, businesses and individuals who want to bring spirit, brilliance and joy to their lives and work.
My approach is simple:
What’s your current situation?
What would you like to change?
What needs to happen to make those changes?
How can we work together to make this a reality?
Contact me for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
What I do
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Coaching
Coaching programmes are bespoke for each client and are designed to:
Identify and surface the issues that need attention
Articulate your desired alternative
Understand your values and beliefs; listen to yourself and be heard
Commit to making changes and moving forward.
I specialise in working with clients who face a time of change, transition or decision; if any of the following apply to you, please get in touch:
Returning from parental, health or sabbatical leave;
Approaching retirement;
Managing difficult portfolios or crisis situations;
Searching for confidence as a leader;
At risk of burnout.
A coaching programme is normally six 90-minute one-to-one sessions, in person or remotely, over six months.
As a trained and qualified coach, I offer:
A supportive programme of work to advance your ambitions
A non-directive coaching style; I am always led by the client. I hold a safe, confidential space for you to think, protected from the demands of the busy working day
A variety of tools and techniques to support your thinking
A free of charge, no obligation, 30-minute introductory conversation for us to explore whether we would like to work together.
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Consulting
As a fundraising consultant I specialise in strategic major gifts, campaign readiness, building and developing the case for support, and coaching individuals and teams to achieve their goals.
I work with clients to understand and develop their major giving pipeline, to devise and implement strategic plans, and to identify and overcome obstacles to success.
I also offer support as an interim director of development depending on a client’s needs.
As an experienced senior leader in educational philanthropy, I offer:
Advice based in reality: nearly two decades of operational and strategic experience in leading schools and universities, including Highgate School, Magdalen College School, The Perse School, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge
Extensive experience of leadership in philanthropy, partnerships and relationship-building
A holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing schools, universities and charities
An approach steeped in my coaching mindset: active listening, client-led, emphasis on questioning and appropriate challenge in a supportive, encouraging environment.
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Workshops and talks
I regularly give talks and facilitate workshops, for example, INSET days, away days, and group coaching sessions. I’ve been a volunteer speaker and chair many times for CASE and IDPE.
Some recent examples include:
Superhuman Listening
I don’t have time to think: how to make space, reflect, and make change happen
How to have difficult conversations
Building a data-driven case for support
How to build a sustainable development function
How can schools fulfil their roles as charities during the pandemic? (2 min video)
Clients
My current and recent clients include:
Truro School
The Courtauld Institute of Art
Twyford School
St Peter’s College, Oxford
Magdalen College School, Oxford
Dulwich College
The London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham
The Brilliant Club
UpRising
What people say
“I had the pleasure of working with Salima, and I can confidently say that she gave me the clarity I needed to move forward with my career. I tend to have scattered thoughts, especially when it comes to my next steps, but Salima was fantastic at listening to me and asking the right questions to help me focus on what was truly important.
Salima has an amazing ability to listen actively and make you feel heard. She helped me get to the heart of what I really wanted and provided me with valuable insights and guidance.
If you're looking for someone who will actively listen to you, ask the right questions, and provide you with the clarity you need to move forward with your career, I highly recommend Salima. She's a true professional and an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Personal coaching client
“I appreciated Salima’s knowledge and passion on the subject. She pitched the content at exactly the right level, and her openness and attitude were perfect.”
Workshop participant, UpRising
“You’re a fantastic listener and I really appreciated the thought and attention you gave me…I’m so much happier and more motivated.”
Personal coaching client
“The mood Salima created was welcoming, safe, open and free-flowing.”
Workshop participant, UpRising
“Thank you for everything - you have been amazing, and so kind.”
Coaching client, The Brilliant Club
“Last week’s Away Day was great; I really enjoyed it and I think it gave us the push we needed. Since we met, we have managed to secure three new gifts towards our goal.”
Away day participant, Magdalen College School, Oxford
“Our first session, where we focused on my core values, was a revelation.”
Personal coaching client
“Salima is kind, insightful and excellent. She provides a safe space to reflect and work through issues, with a caring, thoughtful approach. She was an incredible source of support during a difficult period and I hugely benefited from the coaching sessions. I could not recommend her coaching more.”
Coaching client