About Mati Kaim
Hello, I'm Mati.
I'm a Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach, and former Dean.
My approach combines practical leadership experience with recognised academic and professional expertise, shaped by a career spanning leadership, coaching, teaching and executive education.
Having worked, studied or travelled across almost 80 countries, I bring an international perspective to my work while recognising that effective leadership is always shaped by context.
I focus on three areas that have shaped my own career and continue to shape the work I do with clients. They are areas I've studied, taught and experienced first-hand through leadership roles in higher education and international settings.
Leadership Transitions
Throughout my career I've progressed through a series of increasingly senior leadership roles, both through rapid internal promotion and external appointments, culminating in serving as Dean. Having experienced leadership transitions from both perspectives, I understand the opportunities and challenges that come with establishing credibility in a new role. Today, I help Executive MBA graduates and other senior professionals navigate those transitions with greater confidence and impact.
Leadership Communication
Effective communication has been a defining theme throughout my career. I've taught presentation and communication skills, prepared MBA and Executive MBA participants for high-stakes presentations, assessed thousands of presentations, and presented to and chaired senior boards. These experiences have given me a practical understanding of how leaders communicate with clarity, credibility and influence when the stakes are high.
Leading across Cultures
Leading across cultures requires more than an awareness of cultural differences. It demands adaptability, curiosity and the ability to communicate effectively across languages and perspectives. Having studied, taught and lived intercultural communication, worked within international teams, and operated in multiple languages across almost 80 countries, I bring both practical experience and a global perspective to supporting leaders working in international environments.
The Experience behind my Work
During my career, I have held a range of teaching, leadership and executive education roles, including:
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Dean
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Head of Teaching & Learning Development
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Executive MBA Communication Lead & Coach
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Academic Lead, Language & Communication
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Fractional Chief Learning Officer
I have taken on increasing responsibility for people, programmes, budgets and organisational performance while supporting professionals and students from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds.
My experience includes leading large multidisciplinary faculty teams serving approximately 2,000 students per year, chairing academic boards, overseeing significant organisational initiatives, serving as a trustee, and working with regulators to achieve the registration of new higher education providers.
Alongside this, I have taught and coached on MBA and Executive MBA programmes, designed and delivered accredited leadership development programmes, and supported leaders across a range of sectors and international contexts.
Why I Started My Consultancy
People often ask why I left a role as Dean to start my own business.
The answer is quite simple.
I genuinely enjoyed much of the work I was doing. I enjoyed supporting colleagues, developing programmes, working with students and professionals from around the world, and helping people grow in confidence and capability.
What I wanted, however, was greater flexibility to focus on the work I found most meaningful.
I wanted the opportunity to combine executive coaching, leadership development and executive education within a single portfolio, while working with a broader range of individuals and organisations.
In many ways, my work today is a continuation of what I was already doing.
I still spend much of my time helping people navigate change, develop their leadership, strengthen communication, and work through complex professional challenges.
But now I do it my way to provide the best service I can.
Let's Talk
If you'd like to discuss leadership development as a one to one client, a business school, or an organisation, I'd be happy to learn more about your goals and explore how I can help.
Professional Recognition
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Principal Fellow PFHEA (Advance HE)
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Chartered Manager FCMI (Chartered Management Institute)
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Fellow (Institute of Leadership)
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Certified Management & Business Educator (Chartered Association of Business Schools)
Professional Qualifications
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Level 7 Executive Coaching (ILM)
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Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership (CMI)
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Level 7 Teaching (UCL / Cambridge Assessment)
Academic Qualifications
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Master's Applied Linguistics (University of Oxford, Distinction)
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Master's English & Creative Writing (University of Edinburgh)
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Bachelor's History & Russian (University of Nottingham)
