Meet the Founder

Professional Recognition

My work is recognised through board appointments, professional advisory roles, and invitations to speak at leading organisations, conferences, and universities on leadership, organisational change, and the future of work.

Board & Advisory Appointments

  • Board Member, Goldsmiths, University of London (five-year term)

  • Member, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Opening Up the Environment Working Group

  • Research Grant Reviewer, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

  • Judge, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Awards

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Guest Speaker, President of the Council of Employment Judges (CEJ) Conference on Workplace Policy and the Prevention of Employment Claims (March 2026)

  • Guest Speaker, HOST Summit, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Development Conference, Leeds (February 2026)

  • Keynote Speaker, Experian Development Summit, hosted by Experian, on Career Navigation (November 2025)

  • Keynote Speaker, Universities UK on Leading Change in Higher Education (June 2025)

  • Guest Speaker, HSBC on Career Navigation

  • Guest Speaker, DLA Piper Early Careers Trainee Induction: Advice for Young Professionals

  • Guest Lecturer, University of Sussex, on Leading Change from Education to the Workplace

  • Guest Lecturer, University of Liverpool, on Leading Change within a Research Culture

I'm Irene Adeyinka, Founder and Principal Consultant at IMA Leadership Group.

I founded IMA Leadership Group because I believe the future of work is about more than technology. Organisations need leaders who can adapt to change, develop people and build the capability to succeed in an evolving workplace.

For over ten years, I've worked with senior executives, executive teams and boards to strengthen leadership capability, navigate organisational change and prepare organisations for the future of work. My clients include global law firms, healthcare organisations, local authorities, housing associations, higher education institutions, technology companies and organisations across the built environment.

I bring expertise in cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence and data-informed strategy, helping organisations turn complexity into clarity and strategy into action. My approach combines practical leadership experience with evidence-based coaching to deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes.

I hold an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, and I'm a certified EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 Practitioner, enabling me to use internationally recognised emotional intelligence assessments to support leadership development.

Alongside my consultancy work, I coach senior leaders, facilitate executive roundtables and speak at conferences and events across the UK. Through my monthly leadership series, Lead How You Want to Be Led, I share practical insights for leaders navigating the opportunities and challenges of today's workplace.

My goal is simple: to help organisations build the leadership, workforce capability and confidence they need to navigate change, embrace opportunity and prepare for the future of work.