Meet The Team
Arianna Walker
Director, Equipped for Life
Arianna Walker BEd (Hons), MSc, MBPsS, is a coaching psychologist, author, and experienced keynote speaker, with a passion for empowering individuals and organisations to thrive. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience, she combines evidence-based psychology with practical coaching to create transformative results. As a trained Cognitive Behavioural Coach, her practice is rooted in the ethical standards of the British Psychological Society (BPS), ensuring every session is delivered with professionalism, integrity, and care. To maintain excellence, Arianna engages in regular supervision, fostering continuous growth and upholding the highest standards of practice.
Arianna has designed and delivered innovative training programmes, workshops, and seminars that focus on executive leadership, resilience, and stress management. Her dynamic approach equips leaders and professionals to navigate high-pressure environments with confidence and clarity. By helping clients expand their capacity for resilience and develop strategies to manage stress effectively, Arianna empowers them to lead with composure and purpose. Through exploring their ‘window of tolerance’ and enhancing emotional intelligence, her clients learn to regulate emotions, maintain perspective, and thrive amidst complexity and change. Arianna’s empathetic and non-judgmental coaching style fosters personal and professional growth, enabling leaders to achieve sustainable success and adaptability throughout every phase of their journey.
Matthew Walker
Director, Equipped for Life
Matthew Walker brings a wealth of leadership experience to Equipped for Life. As Chief Executive of Leeds Federated Housing Association and Chair of PlaceShapers, Matthew has spent over three decades working to improve social housing and community development across the UK. His strategic leadership in these roles highlights his commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals through collaborative, place-based solutions.
In addition to his housing expertise, Matthew is a trained coach and mentor, applying his skills to empower individuals and organisations to navigate challenges and achieve growth.
At Equipped for Life, he draws on his deep understanding of leadership, resilience, and community-focused impact to help guide the organisation’s vision and mission, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible support in their personal and professional journeys.