SCOPE and International Coaching Federation (ICF) Sign Landmark MoU to Transform Leadership Excellence in Indian Public Sector Enterprises

NEW DELHI, February 10, 2026

The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), the apex body for Central Government Public Enterprises (PSEs) in India, and the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the world’s leading association for the advancement of the coaching profession, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The implementation and actioning of this multi-year collaboration will be led by Talent at Work, ICF’s dedicated representative in India.

This partnership aims to embed a robust coaching culture within Indian PSEs, positioning them as national benchmarks for leadership development and organizational excellence. It is anchored by several strategic objectives, primarily focusing on joint research and thought leadership through rigorous studies designed to measure the impact of coaching on leadership performance and return on investment.

The cornerstone of this collaboration is a comprehensive joint research study titled “State of Coaching within Indian PSEs,” scheduled for launch in February 2026. This study will utilize ICF’s evidence-based methodologies to assess the current coaching landscape and organizational culture across India's public sector.

"At SCOPE, our mission is to empower Public Sector Enterprises as the backbones of India’s national growth. Leadership in the modern era requires more than just technical expertise; it demands the emotional intelligence and strategic foresight that only a professional coaching culture can provide,” stated Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE, “By partnering with the ICF, we are not just launching a study; we are laying the groundwork for a future-ready public sector that leads with purpose, innovation, and global excellence."

The collaboration emphasizes capacity building by co-creating a strategic framework to develop internal coaching capabilities within PSEs, alongside the recognition of excellence, which includes evaluating the establishment of a dedicated award in coaching for PSEs.

"ICF’s mission is to ensure coaching contributes meaningfully to stronger organizations and societies. Our collaboration with SCOPE represents a powerful opportunity to bring the ICF Gold Standard into India’s public sector leadership ecosystem at scale. By combining rigorous research with practical application, this initiative will demonstrate how professional coaching can strengthen leadership effectiveness, accountability, and long-term institutional impact,” commented Steve Weiss, Vice President of ICF Professional Coaches about the milestone collaboration.

On the significance of this new partnership, Magdalena Nowicka Mook, CEO of the International Coaching Federation, added, “Public Sector Enterprises play a defining role in shaping India’s economic and social future. By embedding a strong coaching culture within these institutions, we are investing not only in better leaders but in more resilient, human-centric systems of governance. This partnership with SCOPE reflects ICF’s commitment to advancing coaching as a strategic lever for national transformation, aligned with India’s long-term development ambitions.”

As the association representation arm for ICF in India, the leadership at Talent at Work views this as a defining moment for the professional coaching ecosystem in the region, reflecting their commitment to bridging global standards with national developmental goals.

Expressing their excitement and honor in spearheading this initiative, Gaelle Lahad and Dipti Rane, Co-CEOs of Talent at Work, stated: “As the representative for ICF in India, Talent at Work is honored to lead the implementation of this transformative MoU. Our role is to bridge global best practices with the unique cultural and operational landscape of Indian PSEs. We believe this joint initiative will set a national benchmark for capacity building, directly supporting India’s Vision 2047 by cultivating a future-ready leadership pipeline.”

About SCOPE

The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) is an apex professional organization representing Central Government Public Enterprises in India. It focuses on policy advocacy, capacity building, and promoting excellence to ensure PSEs remain globally competitive.

For more information, visit www.scopeonline.in.

About International Coaching Federation (ICF)

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest organization, leading the global advancement of the coaching profession and fostering coaching’s role as an integral part of a thriving society. Founded in 1995, its 60,000-plus members and credential-holders located in more than 160 countries and territories work toward common goals of enhancing awareness of coaching and upholding the integrity of the profession through lifelong learning and upholding the highest ethical standards.

For more information, visit www.coachingfederation.org.

About Talent at Work

Unlocking opportunities in the MENA, Indian, and South Asian markets, Talent at Work is a dynamic Association Representation Company with operations in MENA and India. With our expertise in strategy development, business expansion, and powerful marketing & communication services, we are your trusted partner for achieving remarkable global growth.

For more information, visit www.taw.global.