Curium launches IWD competition with £10,000 of coaching services up for grabs
Birmingham-based Curium Solutions has launched a competition to boost career prospects in the region as part of International Women’s Day.
The coaching firm is offering two high-impact prizes designed to help organisations move forward.
Prizes include three complimentary coaching sessions for each winner delivered by one of Curium’s culture and capability specialists or a free half-day health check for your organisation.
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To enter the competition, applicants over 18 should email [email protected] quoting 'IWD 2026', before the closing date of 20 March. Winners will be selected at random.
The 2025 winners were Charlotte Ritchie, Clare Noakes, Tracy Peddle, and Laura Suffolk.
Charlotte Ritchie, head of external communications and engagement at West Midlands Trains, said: “I had quite a sceptical view beforehand of what coaching could achieve and what companies like Curium could actually do.
“My perception has wholly changed since engaging with Curium. I've been telling everybody how great the experience has been.”
Charlotte worked with Emma, whose motivational approach and coaching questions led to practical tools that were easy to implement.
She continued: “I found the things we talked about really insightful. Emma was really good at sharing examples of tools and ways of thinking that I could take away and use in between the sessions.”
For Clare Noakes, executive assistant at Aston University, the coaching came at a pivotal moment.
Having unexpectedly gone from managing one person to leading a team of eight, Clare faced a steep learning curve. Coaching helped her clarify her thoughts, confront avoided issues, and build confidence in her leadership.
Clare said: “I found Jane to be really receptive and understanding of both my situation and the sector I'm in.
“After the first session, I actively looked forward to the next two. I wanted to give it my full attention and engage properly.”
Tracy Peddle, senior executive assistant at Intercity Technology Ltd, described her coaching experience with Kate as “really positive,” highlighting the value of an external perspective.
She said: “It was good for me to have an outside vantage point of what my world is like, share some of my challenges, and receive guidance on how I could potentially do some things differently.”
Laura Suffolk, regional director at NatWest, appreciated the informal and conversational style of her coaching sessions.
She said: “It didn’t follow a rigid process, making it feel more personal and tailored.”
Her coach’s inquisitive approach and trust-building helped Laura tackle leadership challenges and focus on personal development. Even with just three sessions, the impact was profound.
Laura continued: “The coaching brought greater clarity and helped me prioritise more effectively, which made a real difference.”