The Strategy Behind the Shift: How Jeremy Birt is Redefining Leadership and Coaching in Australia
From C-Suite to Coaching: Jeremy Birt’s Bold Leap Into Purpose-Driven Work
What happens when you finally reach the summit… and realise the view doesn’t quite satisfy you anymore?
For Jeremy Birt, that moment came after decades climbing the corporate ladder—holding CEO and COO roles across agribusiness, retail, utilities, media and digital. He’d built high-performing teams, scaled companies, and led major transformations. The corporate credentials? Impressive. The impact? Tangible. But something was missing.
So in 2023, Jeremy took a leap not often seen at his level. He walked away from the top seat to create something more aligned. Enter: The Strategy Factory—his coaching and leadership consultancy designed to help executives sharpen strategy, elevate performance, and reconnect with their purpose.
The Inflection Point: From CEO to Coach
Jeremy admits that becoming a CEO was a goal he set early—almost flippantly—as a kind of professional North Star. But once he got there, a bigger question emerged: What now?
Rather than chase the next CEO title, Jeremy chose to reflect. He asked the uncomfortable but essential question: What parts of my career have truly lit me up? The answer: building people, guiding strategic clarity, and mentoring emerging talent.
From there, the idea for The Strategy Factory began to take shape—not as a reinvention, but as a natural evolution.
What Sets Jeremy Apart
Let’s be clear: Jeremy isn’t just another corporate escapee-turned-coach. His point of difference is the unique blend of deep executive experience and structured, credentialed coaching training.
With an MBA from AGSM, credentials from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Level 2 postgraduate certificate in applied coaching (ICF PCC-aligned), Jeremy brings both street-smart and book-smart to the table. His coaching conversations aren’t fluff—they’re grounded in commercial reality, psychological insight, and two decades of boardroom wisdom.
“I know what it’s like to sit in the big chair,” Jeremy says. “And I know what it’s like to feel stuck, despite the title.”
That insight is gold for his clients—CEOs, senior leaders and board members who are navigating change, growth, or inflection points of their own.
The Power of Strategic Coaching (Not Just Strategy)
Jeremy’s approach to coaching is refreshingly pragmatic.
He’s not here to tell leaders what to do. He’s here to create the space for reflection, clarity, and honest self-assessment. Whether he’s guiding a CEO through a tough crossroads or mentoring a future leader struggling with imposter syndrome, Jeremy blends coaching with mentoring—but only when invited.
“Sometimes the best coaching isn’t giving answers. It’s asking the right questions and listening deeply,” he says.
It’s a far cry from prescriptive leadership programs or rigid executive frameworks. This is coaching with substance—customised, commercial, and deeply human.
Starting The Strategy Factory: Challenges, Flexibility, and Purpose
Like many new business owners, Jeremy jumped into entrepreneurship with equal parts excitement and naivety.
“I underestimated how complex it would be,” he laughs. “But that might’ve been a good thing—it meant I didn’t talk myself out of it.”
He’s candid about the early hurdles: navigating identity shifts, choosing a business name (yes, people had opinions on “factory”), figuring out how to talk about what he offers without sounding like every other leadership coach.
What’s kept him anchored is his ability to pivot without losing sight of the mission: helping leaders connect with what truly matters and build a strategy that supports their growth, not just their output.
Lessons in Balance: Work, Wellbeing, and Wisdom
Jeremy’s not just guiding others—he’s walking the talk himself. He prioritises personal wellbeing with intention: bike rides, reflective reading, weekends off when possible, and time with his wife (who he jokes gently introduces him to the “woo woo” side of life—burning rituals included).
He’s also committed to service, volunteering as a mentor for students and young professionals. Those sessions, especially with Gen Zs asking about “work-life balance” at age 16, are a reminder of how quickly the world of work is changing.
“The next generation values wellbeing in a way we never did at that age,” Jeremy reflects. “Leaders need to adapt—and I want to be part of that shift.”
Advice for Leaders Ready to Explore What’s Next
Jeremy’s advice to anyone at a professional crossroads? Two things:
- Reflect on what actually energises you.
Ask yourself: What work lights you up? When do you feel most alive? The answer is usually there—under the noise. - Be deliberate, but don’t demand perfection.
“I used to be a perfectionist,” he shares. “Now I’m more of an 80/20 operator. Done and moving is better than perfect and stuck.”
And if you’re surrounded by noise—opinions, feedback, doubt—his tip is to keep your inner circle small and trusted.
“Listen to feedback, but back yourself. Everyone will have an opinion. Not all of them are helpful. Especially when you’re expanding your comfort zone.”
Strategy with Soul
At its heart, The Strategy Factory isn’t about pumping out business plans or churning through leadership hacks. It’s about helping ambitious leaders pause, reflect, and move forward with intention.
Whether you’re a CEO navigating change, a board member needing clarity, or an emerging leader wondering if you’re cut out for the top—Jeremy Birt is the guy you want in your corner. Grounded, strategic, quietly powerful.
He’s not just building a coaching practice. He’s building something rare: a leadership movement rooted in purpose, not just performance.
