Tessa Dodwell

Tessa is a Master Coach Practitioner with EMCC, a consultant, and a coaching supervisor specialising in the transition to retirement. She works with individuals, couples and organisations to support people as they navigate this complex, challenging and often emotional life transition.

After completing her psychology degree, Tessa worked in the fast-paced logistics sector, initially as an accountant before quickly transitioning into leadership. Inspired by the impact of a leadership coaching programme, she cascaded coaching to her team of 500, with extraordinary results. This experience re-ignited her lifelong passion for human potential. Tessa went on to complete a Master’s in Coaching at Oxford Brookes University, graduating with distinction. Her dissertation was the first UK academic research into the role of coaching across the retirement transition.

Having witnessed her father’s temporary mutism when he retired from his career as a doctor, Tessa is particularly interested in the role that professional identity plays. She has written about the profound impact of a lost sense of self and continues to conduct research in this area.

Drawing on independent research and conversations with thousands of retirees, she has developed bespoke holistic coaching programmes that support graceful exits, reduce identity disruption, and foster wellbeing after a career ends.