How close are you to the thing you actually want?

Coaches ask this in the first session and again in the last. Set it now — the number is the only part of a first conversation you can do without me.

About three months, three moves

I spent fifteen years running change programmes for large organisations. The method transfers: measure, intervene, measure again. What changes is that you set the measure.

Take the baseline

A free chemistry call, about thirty minutes. We name the one thing you want to move and put a number on where it sits today.

Week one · no charge

Do the work

Four to eight sessions, two to eight weeks apart. The gap matters as much as the session — that is where the thinking lands.

Weeks two to twelve

Take it again

Same question, same scale. If the number has not moved by session five, we say so and you take that to a different coach or a different modality.

At session five, and at the end

What coaching is, and when it is the wrong tool

Fifteen years of asking companies the awkward question

Most of my career was spent redesigning how large organisations work — supply chains, ERP rollouts, Lean Six Sigma programmes where the real problem was never the process diagram. What I kept noticing was that the decisive conversation was always the personal one.

So I trained: a Diploma in Personal & Business Coaching at the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ICF Level I), and now three years into a BSc in Psychotherapy and Counselling at PCI College. Sessions run in person in Dublin 8 and online worldwide, in English or Russian.

15years in management consulting, PwC Moscow and Dublin

6years in biopharma supply chain at AstraZeneca

2languages, English and Russian

0cost for the first conversation

Coaching is not therapy. If the work is your past, trauma or grief, therapy is the right room to start in — the IACP registerwill find you someone. I will say so in the first call rather than in session four.

Where the questions come from

2019–now

Associate Director, AstraZeneca RDU

Dublin, Ireland

I led strategic IT initiatives to transform our global supply chain, significantly improving both operational efficiency and the customer experience. A key part of this work involved implementing an “Amazon-like” notification system, which successfully reduced customer inquiries by 20%. I also directed the deployment of a new B2B portal, which streamlined the ordering process by pre-filling 60% of fields and cutting the time to order by 23%. My role also included piloting cutting-edge solutions like using Generative AI to optimise SOPs. Additionally, I drove the adoption of the EDI ordering channel, increasing its use to an average of 15% across EMEA, and improved our call response rates by 18% with a new Salesforce-integrated call centre. My work on continuous improvements in SAP ECC also reduced non-value-added time for Customer Operations by 30%.

2016–2019

Senior Manager, PwC

Dublin, Ireland

At PwC Ireland, I was a Senior Manager leading complex operational effectiveness projects. A key highlight was directing the Order-to-Cash process rollout for Pfizer’s Oracle JD Edwards ERP, which included a critical integration with Salesforce. I also spearheaded the implementation of the Camunda Business Process Management system to automate intercompany settlements, which significantly boosted efficiency. My work also involved leading research on the operational impacts of Brexit and contributing to a supply chain risk assessment toolkit for the Irish Food sector.

2013–2016

Senior Manager, PwC

Moscow, Russia

As a Senior Manager at PwC Moscow, I focused on strategic and operational projects that delivered tangible results. I specialised in Supply Chain Network Design and ERP implementations, directly saving clients up to $10 million. A key part of my work involved applying Lean Six Sigma principles to improve efficiency. For example, I successfully increased a feed plant’s capacity by 3% through a SMED project. My experience also includes leading Operational Excellence initiatives across the steel, pharmaceutical, and agribusiness industries.

Training

1998–2003

Masters in (Environmental) Geology

St Petersburg State University

2024–2025

Diploma in Personal & Business Coaching. Practitioner Level (ICF level I)

Irish Lifecoach Institute

2025–2029

BSc (Hons) in Psychotherapy and Counselling

PCI College

Three clients, three different reasons

Ilya was my guide for my first-ever coaching experience. His combination of professional and personal qualities makes him a true coaching expert. He helped me address several career-related issues, and our work together was crucial in supporting me as I transitioned into my new role and successfully overcame the challenges of adapting to this new chapter in my career.

Dmitriy ChepyzhovHead of Analytics

This was my first coaching experience, and I genuinely enjoyed collaborating with Ilya. His delicate approach allowed us to subtly navigate and address some very important questions. Coaching provided me with a fresh perspective on familiar topics and helped me adjust life strategies that no longer served me well.

Maria EmIndependent Film Director

My work life, personal relationships and inner wellbeing has improved significantly since I’ve been working with Ilya. He possesses deep, fundamental knowledge and dives deeply into my challenges, offering high-quality and effective techniques. Some of these methods produce immediate results whilst others deliver long-term, high quality impact. Ilya has an attentive, warm presence which greatly enhances my experience. I have worked with many coaches in the past, and he stands out as the best by far.

Sergey PodkolzinManagement Consultant

Or write properly, if a number isn’t enough

Islandbridge, Dublin 8
In person, or online worldwide.

English and Russian.

First conversation is free and lasts about thirty minutes — as much for you to assess me as the reverse.