Bio

Executive Coach | Former CFO | Specialist in High‑Stakes Leadership Transitions

Executive Coaching | Team Coaching | Strategic Advisor | NED

A picture of Bruno Vinel smiling holding a booklet in his hands.

Overview

I coach senior leaders and boards through high‑stakes transitions so they can think clearly, decide confidently and lead sustainably when it matters most. As a former CFO and senior executive with 37 years’ experience in complex, multinational organisations, I understand board‑level pressure, governance and uncertainty from the inside.

My coaching career grew from a personal turning point: navigating cancer treatment and returning to work reshaped how I understand resilience, identity and the intersection between personal wellbeing and professional performance. Since then, I have specialised in supporting leaders through major transitions — new roles, relocations, career shifts and returns after illness or burnout. I also coach leadership teams through alignment and collaboration challenges under pressure.

I am an EMCC‑accredited coach at Senior Practitioner level, with a Professional Coaching Diploma, and I coach in English, French and Spanish.


Why Clients and Boards Work with Me

Clients and boards choose to work with me because I combine:

  • The practical insight of a former CFO and senior executive who has led through complex change
  • The structured approach of an EMCC-accredited executive coach
  • The governance and risk perspective needed in regulated and membership-based environments
  • The empathy and perspective of someone who understands both success and struggle in demanding roles

They value a partnership that is supportive and challenging, grounded in both real-world experience and professional coaching discipline.


What I Stand For

I believe in:

  • Clarity over noise. I help leaders think clearly and focus on what truly matters in complex environments — not motivation or hype.
  • Sustainable change, not quick fixes. My focus is on lasting, durable solutions, not short‑term performance spikes.
  • Human and strategic leadership. I combine executive experience with empathy, supporting the whole person — not just the role — because strategy and humanity go hand in hand.
  • Honest, structured challenge. I provide rigorous thinking and candid feedback in a non‑judgemental space, because real reflection beats passive comfort.

Career Journey

My career spans over 37 years in senior finance and leadership roles, including CFO and Director positions in multinational organisations. I have worked across utilities, retail, energy, technology and the public sector, often in regulated environments and complex organisational settings. These roles exposed me to board-level pressure, strategic change and the realities of leading across cultures and geographies. I have led major corporate restructurings, strengthened internal controls and governance, and managed international teams.

My experience includes leading operations, finance, and designing and delivering strategic transformation projects across France, Spain, Mauritius, the Comoros Islands, Morocco and the UK. I have worked closely with boards, regulators, auditors, staff, unions, customers and volunteers — often in conversations involving difficult topics such as restructuring, risk and performance, where trust and clarity were essential. Over time I have built a reputation for clear communication, responsible stewardship and the ability to surface and address issues before they escalate.


Credentials & Training

My credentials and training include the following:

  • Master in Business and Management (Honours) from EDHEC Business School
  • Professional Coaching Diploma from Optimus Coach Academy
  • Coach accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) as Senior Practitioner
  • Strong academic and professional background in finance, leadership, and transformation
  • Coach in English, French, and Spanish, working with leaders and teams across multiple countries and cultures

Personal Journey

Like many leaders, my path has not been linear. I have stepped into new executive roles under pressure, navigated international relocations whilst balancing work and family, and returned to work after periods of illness and burnout. These experiences have deepened my understanding of identity, adaptation to change, and resilience. As a gay man, I have worked to build a career that aligns with my values while managing stigma and complexity in different professional contexts. I am committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and see inclusive practice as integral to good governance and effective risk management. This informs how I work with clients and how I participate in boards and committees. Beyond corporate roles and coaching, I have a passion for photography and ceramics. I chair the Central Region committee of the Royal Photographic Society, managing member engagement, governance, financial supervision, and strategic development for nearly 700 members.