Carmel Drake

About Carmel

British bilingual coach in Madrid (20+ yrs in finance) helping midlife women navigate change

Work experience

I began my career with PwC in London, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2005, and later moved to Madrid with the firm - a move that sparked both my language learning and my love of cross-cultural connection. From 2010 to 2023, I worked as a freelance translator, serving clients across industries (professional services, real estate, mobility). This period gave me the flexibility to raise a family and live internationally while developing deep skills in communication and nuance. In 2023, I trained as a professional coach with Barefoot Coaching, and I now work with women in midlife navigating complex transitions: moving countries, pivoting careers, returning to work or stepping into leadership roles. My coaching blends strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, underpinned by real-life experience and financial clarity. Refer to my website for more about me and my work experience: https://carmeldrake.com/

Education

I hold a degree in Economics and Management from the University of Oxford (2002), which provided a strong foundation in strategic analysis and critical thinking. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2005 after training with PwC in London in the Banking Sector. In 2023, I completed my coaching training with Barefoot Coaching and received my ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation in early 2025. I'm now working towards my PCC.

Coach scope