Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors

Why choose this qualification? 

• Highly respected Level 7 (postgraduate-level) qualification 

• Strong emphasis on real-world practice and reflection 

• Suitable for internal and external coaches working at senior level 

• Builds confidence, credibility and strategic impact as a coach or mentor 
• Support from highly experienced mentors

This course is ideal for: -  

• Senior managers and leaders 

• HR and Organisation Development professionals  

• Internal coaches and mentors working with senior leaders  

• Professional coaches and mentors seeking a Level 7, nationally recognised qualification  

• Consultants supporting leadership and organisational development  

• Counsellors or psychotherapists wishing to expand their practice into organisational and leadership environments

Learners are typically coaching individuals operating at executive or senior level, regardless of job title. 

By completing the Level 7 Certificate, learners will be able to:  

• Understand the strategic purpose of coaching and mentoring at executive and senior level  

• Apply advanced coaching and mentoring models effectively in complex contexts  

• Plan, deliver and evaluate high-impact coaching or mentoring engagements 

• Demonstrate ethical, reflective and supervised professional practice 

• Critically reflect on their own performance and create a personal development plan 

• Enhance professional credibility and career progression opportunities  - employers

This course is hybrid, with 6 days of in person training and 4 half day online sessions. 

Time Commitment 

• Guided Learning Hours: 58 hours
• Coaching & Mentoring practice:  20 hours
• Self Study:  66 hours 
• Supervision:  5 hours
• Learning mentor support:  2 hours
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 151 hours  

Learners must be actively coaching or mentoring at senior level during the programme. 

To achieve the ILM Level 7 Certificate, learners complete three mandatory units: 

Mandatory Units 

• Understanding the Principles and Practice of Effective Coaching and Mentoring at an Executive or Senior Level 
  Explores strategy, organisational context, models, ethics, supervision and evaluation. 

• Undertaking Coaching or Mentoring at an Executive or Senior Level 
  Requires a minimum of 20 hours of coaching or mentoring practice with 2–3 senior-level clients, supported by supervision and reflective evidence. 

• Reflecting on Your Ability to Perform Effectively as a Coach or Mentor at an Executive or Senior Level 
  Focuses on critical self-reflection, professional development planning and positioning yourself as an executive-level coach or mentor. 

Assessment is practical, applied and professionally relevant. Learners are assessed through:  

• A written assignment (theory and strategic understanding - 5,000 words)  
• A portfolio of evidence (coaching or mentoring practice) including 66 hours of self study 
• A coaching/mentoring diary covering 20 hours of practice
• A reflective journal (critical reflection and development planning) 

All assessment is internally assessed and externally quality assured by ILM. 

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, however learners should:

• Be aged 21 or over
• Have access to senior-level coaching or mentoring clients
• Be capable of working at postgraduate (Level 7) standard

To apply, please download the application form from DOWNLOADS, complete and submit to admissions@ironmill.co.uk

The next course starts on Thursday 14th May 2026, at our Exeter Campus

Module 1: Thu 14th & Fri 15th May - all day sessions in person

Module 2: Thu 11th & Fri 12th June - all day sessions in person

Module 3: Thu 16th July - online am only

Module 4: Thu 10th & Fri 11th September - all day sessions in person

Module 5: Thu 6th October - online am only

Module 6: Thu 8th November - online am only

Module 7: Thu 3rd December - online am only

Course Fees 2026

Option 1:  Full payment discount (Total Payable £3,390)
An Enrolment Deposit of £750 followed by one instalment of £2745

Option 2: Monthly Instalments (Total Payable £3,495):
An Enrolment Deposit of £750 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £392 (payable by direct debit) due on the 1st of each month

Further information on fees:
Fees listed include VAT.

Tuition Fee Increases:

Tuition fees are reviewed in Autumn each year and are usually increased in line with CPI each January.

If you are an organisation looking to book staff members onto this course, then please email enquiries@ironmill.co.uk to process your payment. 

Applicants are invited to enrol once they receive an offer of a place on the course, by paying the Enrolment Deposit (which shall be fully non-refundable in all circumstances) as well as submitting all application documents and a completed Tuition Fee Contract. The balance of course fees is payable as per the relevant schedule option above.

All applicants should ensure they read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Student Agreement and the Tuition Fee Contract Terms and Conditions before applying and paying their Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable). These documents can be found in the 'Downloads' tab below. 

How to pay:
For enrolment payments, you can pay online by using the booking form on this web page. You can also pay all fees by credit / debit card, either in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, or over the phone by calling 01392 219200. Please note that we are unable to accept payments via American Express or Diners Club cards.

We will contact you once you have returned your Tuition Fee Contract with information about how to set up direct payments from your bank. This is our preferred method of payment. 

David Love MBA, B.Ed

David is an experienced leadership coach working with senior and middle managers across the NHS, local government, and wider public services. He spent 13 years at Office for Public Management (OPM), becoming Head of Leadership Development, where he led the organisation’s coaching practice and managed its ILM Centre. He has designed and delivered numerous ILM Level 7 coaching programmes and played a key role in the development of the West Midlands Coaching & Mentoring Pool.

From 2017 to 2021, he was a Visiting Tutor at Henley Business School and a Senior Associate Fellow with the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Local Government Studies, supporting leadership development programmes for aspiring chief executives.

David is a trained coach supervisor and member of the Association for Coaching, Henley Coaching Centre, the Global Supervisors’ Network, and Climate Change Coaches. 

Qualifications and professional development

• Professional Certificate in Coaching (Henley Business School).
• ILM Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching & Leadership Mentoring.
• ART in Coaching/Association for Coaching ADCT Diploma in Art-based Coaching.
• Completed 3 out of 4 modules of Bath Consultancy Group’s Certificate in Supervision - focusing on providing support and challenge to individuals, teams and organisations.

• Licensed user of a range of psychometric instruments and personal inventories.

Ruth Sheard MSc., BSc.

Ruth is an EMCC Accredited Coach at Senior Practitioner level, working with leaders worldwide who study at INSEAD Business School. After thirty years working in education, training and sales in France and the UK, she qualified with an MSc distinction in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology and has subsequently dedicated her career to coaching.  Ruth has a private practice and works extensively with the creative industries, corporate and private sectors, supporting individuals and teams in their professional lives using the evidence-based science of Positive Psychology and a strengths-based approach. Areas of work include personal narrative; career development; project management; performance improvement; leadership development; intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships;and personal development for increased well-being.

Ruth supports the client to explore their direction, work creatively towards desired outcomes and to deepen their understanding of themselves in the world. 

Alongside her  private practice, Ruth is an Associate Coach for NEO Leaders https://www.neoleaders.com/ where she coaches adults through professional development programmes provided by INSEAD Business School. She also coaches for The Art of Perception https://www.theartofperception.co.uk/ focusing on supporting positive transformation.

Is this qualification accredited?

• Yes. The ILM Level 7 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring is a nationally recognised qualification awarded by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), part of the City & Guilds of London Institute.

What level is this course?

• This is a Level 7 qualification, equivalent to postgraduate-level study. Learners are expected to work critically, reflectively and independently, applying theory to complex, real-world coaching and mentoring practice.

Do I need to be an experienced coach to enrol?

• You do not need to hold a prior coaching qualification, but you should already be coaching or mentoring at a senior or executive level (or be about to do so). You must have access to appropriate clients to complete the practical elements of the course.

How many coaching hours are required?

• For the Certificate, learners must complete a minimum of 20 hours of coaching or mentoring practice with between 2 and 3 senior-level clients, supported by supervision and reflective documentation.

How is the course assessed?

• Assessment is entirely coursework-based and includes:
  • A written assignment
  • A portfolio of coaching or mentoring evidence
  • A reflective journal and professional development plan
  • There are no exams.

How long does it take to complete?

• The total qualification time is approximately 161 hours. Most learners complete the Certificate within 9–12 months, depending on pace and access to clients. Learners have up to 3 years to complete the qualification.