Since 2021, I have been a freelance HE consultant and worked with 18 institutions on well over 30 assignments. My professional background is as a Director of Student & Academic Services and my consultancy work spans strategic development, student-facing policy and regulation, governance reviews, organisational reviews and matters relating to the OfS. I am also formally trained as both a workplace mediator and case investigator.
My client base ranges from large universities to small specialist institutions and has also included on-line and private providers. Well over half of my clients have approached me to undertake new work, and I enjoy developing sustained relationships as well as completing one-off pieces of work. Assignments have ranged 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 and/or the Students’ Union.
I have over 25 years experience of working in the sector, including 8 years as a member of the University Executive Committee and Senate. I am highly familiar with the ins and outs and ups and downs of institutional life, and particularly skilled at untangling complexities. 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.
Alongside my consultancy, I am the founder and presenter of the Job Shadowing HE podcast. I have worked with over 40 guests (from VCs to University Chaplains) from different parts of the sector to help profile what goes on in the working life of HE, and the podcast is an established sector resource. It has received sponsorship from multiple organisations connected with the sector including leading executive or middle management search companies, and national and multi-national technology solution organisations.
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. As the Board’s designated HE lead, I work closely with the executive and other Board members on all HE matters, as well as the broader strategic and compliance agenda.
In 2021, I was delighted to 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.