Craig McLaren

Craig McLaren is an executive coach, consultant, and non-executive director with a wealth of leadership experience across EMEA. With over 1,000 hours of senior leadership coaching and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) qualification (ICF accreditation pending), Craig partners with business leaders to develop high-performing teams and sustainable leadership cultures.

Craig’s career spans 25 years at Johnson & Johnson, where he held senior roles across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He led emerging markets and sat on the EMEA and Global Ethicon boards, building profitable, fast-growing companies through team development and organisational culture. In his final role, he was responsible for leading medical device businesses across Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan.

Since leaving corporate life in 2014, Craig has built a portfolio career, combining executive coaching with advisory and non-executive roles. He has worked with clients such as the Crown Estate, UNHCR, SEPA, ADNOC, NEOM, Emirates NBD, Visa International, and Qatar Energy—supporting leaders in sectors including energy, finance, telecoms, and public administration.

Craig’s coaching style is pragmatic and outcome-focused, informed by a deep understanding of executive pressures and board-level dynamics. He helps leaders shape strategy, drive performance, and cultivate inclusive and resilient teams. He splits his time between the UK and UAE and brings a global perspective to all his work.