Dr Claire Handby is an accomplished leadership expert, executive coach, author and motivational speaker whose career spans more than 25 years across construction, infrastructure, transformation and senior corporate leadership. Having progressed from managing trades on construction sites to senior positions within EY, Deloitte and KPMG, Claire brings considerable real-world experience to conversations about ambition, resilience and professional reinvention. Today, she is an internationally accredited executive coach, Visiting Professor at the University of Salford and author of ‘Uptick: Clarity, Courage and Confidence for Your Next Chapter’, published in July 2026.
Claire’s experience makes her particularly effective for audiences facing change. Throughout her career, she has worked with major contractors and developers including Laing O’Rourke, Mace Group and McCarthy & Stone, alongside organisations operating across transport, utilities, health, nuclear, aviation, technology and government. She has led and advised on major transformation initiatives while developing expertise in governance, leadership and organisational change. Her professional recognition includes becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Salford for her contribution to leadership and industry.
After building a successful corporate career, Claire made her own transition into entrepreneurship, executive coaching, writing and advisory work. This experience sits at the heart of her motivational message. Through ‘Uptick’, Claire explores how professionals can use their existing skills, experience and credibility to create a carefully planned new direction, tackling subjects including fear, financial preparation, confidence and fulfilment.
When hired as a motivational speaker, Claire can address leadership under pressure, career reinvention, resilience, women in leadership, high-trust teams, transformation and the human skills required in an increasingly AI-driven workplace. Her combination of board-level experience and coaching expertise allows her to give audiences practical ideas they can apply beyond the event. Whether discussing ‘The Courage to Pivot’ or ‘Do the Maths. Change Your Life.’, Claire encourages people to approach change with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.
