I established Susannah Marsden Consulting in 2021, and have since worked with 20 institutions on well over 40 assignments.
My professional background is as a Director of Student & Academic Services and Registrar, and my consultancy work spans strategic academic development, creating student-facing policy and academic regulation, quality assurance, collaborative provision, academic governance reviews, professional services reviews and matters relating to the OfS. I am also formally trained as both a workplace mediator and case investigator.
My clients range from universities to the UK’s leading small specialist institutions as well as on-line and private providers. Well over half of my clients have invited me to undertake new work, and I enjoy developing sustained relationships as well as completing one-off projects. Assignments can range from one day to several months, and may involve working confidentially with one or two individuals, through to working with a wider range of colleagues. I have an evidenced reputation for thoughtful and people-focused solutions, and that is reflected in the client-centred approach I take to each piece of work.
I have over 25 years experience of working in the sector, including 8 years as a member of a University Executive Committee and Senate. I am therefore very familiar with the ins and outs of institutional life, and particularly skilled at untangling complexities.
Alongside my consultancy work, I am the founder and presenter of the Job Shadowing HE podcast and have worked with over 40 guests – from Vice-Chancellors to University Chaplains – to profile what goes on in the working life of HE.
I am a member of the Board of Governors and the Remuneration and Nominations Committee at the Central School of Ballet, one of the UK’s smallest OfS-registered HEIs.
In 2021, I become a Fellow of the Association of Higher Education Professionals. I have mentored numerous HE professionals throughout my career, and enjoy supporting the development of future managers and leaders.