Not all leaders possess the tenacity and expertise needed to steer organisations through turbulent times, which is why Leah Brown FRSA founded Broadstairs Consulting. Intervening in crisis situations successfully demands a distinct combination of skills: patience, clarity, experience, empathy, and unwavering determination.
Leah, accredited mediator, corporate M&A lawyer, speaker, and freelance writer, has these skills and many others. She has excelled in a variety of challenging environments and has founded a crisis advisory and mediation practice, Broadstairs Consulting Ltd, to bring her experience and wisdom to the top levels of executive leadership.
Leah’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence. Born in the USA and raised in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Leah’s childhood was anything but ordinary, and in many ways, extraordinary. With parents hailing from Miami and Barbados, she experienced an upbringing marked by frequent moves resulting in attendance at various schools across the UK, including five different secondary schools, four of which were in the USA.
At 13, Leah embarked on a unique academic journey, enrolling as a “Special Student” as an undergraduate university student in Virginia. Despite the challenges of simultaneously navigating life at high school and university, Leah thrived in this environment. She pursued an academic music course, which enabled her to showcase her talent as a violinist as well as immerse herself in team activities including musical theatre and orchestras.
However, after returning to the UK for A-Levels and obtaining a degree in Philosophy and Politics, Leah was forced to decide between a career in music or law. Ultimately she chose the latter. Despite early setbacks, Leah pushed forwards and was called to the Bar in 2011, secured a training contract at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in 2012, and went onto work at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in 2015.
Becoming her mother’s nearest relative under the UK Mental Health Act in 2017 proved to be one of the most significant turning points in Leah’s life. This experience opened her eyes to the trauma she had endured herself in childhood, and led her to seek expert counselling. Through this process she gained clarity on her own formative challenges in a way that helps her identify the same in others; the exercise allowed her sense of purpose to evolve. As a result, Leah’s businesses reflect her personal drive, emotional intelligence and note the importance of being seen and heard.
Leah’s professional journey has been remarkable. Outside of private practice, she has worked in diverse sectors, including a commercial food group, commercial hotel chain, hedge fund, and a sovereign wealth fund. In 2021, Leah orchestrated the successful exit of Trussle (now Better.co.uk) to Better.com as General Counsel and Company Secretary. She has also acted for a range of Fintech businesses, SMEs and charities.
Not long after the exit, Leah established Leah Talks Ltd, which provides speaking, writing, and legal consultancy services. A year later, she launched Broadstairs Consulting Ltd, a mediation spin-off focusing on conflict resolution within politics, sports, and media.
Leah’s distinctive background and experiences position her as a valuable asset helping leaders transform crises into opportunities for growth and organisational flourishing. She is now channelling her expertise into the work of Broadstairs Consulting.
Leah’s inspiring story reminds us that adversity can be the catalyst for transformation and success. If you are facing challenging situations or need to restore order in a crisis, consider contacting Leah. Her breadth of skills and commitment to bespoke process-driven solutions will help guide you through even the most tumultuous of times.