My Philosophy
My Experience
A driving force in my career has been the belief that work and workplaces should be developmental and supportive. I am energised by working to make the experience of work as good as it can be and have a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, believing that together these lead to a healthy and enriching environment and quality outputs.
I strongly believe in the power of coaching to improve professional and personal lives and realise potential. My passion is to support those I work with to achieve greater success through doing what they love.
Having adopted an approach of ‘serious work with a lightness of touch’ from an early mentor, I find that building trusting relationships, taking a pragmatic approach and, when appropriate, adding a little laughter, make work much more enjoyable.
I work holistically, coaching the whole person, not just the work' person. Increasingly I am taking my practice outdoors and using nature as a rich resource to support coaching conversations.
Outside of work my interests include reading, dancing, walking, watching rugby, yoga and travel. I’m a novice runner and a very reluctant camper! I’m also the very proud mother of two incredible young men.
I have a public sector background, with 20 years senior HR (Human Resources) and OD (Organisational Development) experience in Higher Education (including 11 years at Director level) and more than a decade in the NHS. In addition to contributing to the strategic leadership and development of the organisation, my roles have included supporting managers and their staff through restructurings, relocations and mergers, as well as the more day-to-day issues arising in employment and career development. This means I have a good understanding of leading and managing in complex, unionised environments.
Constants throughout my career have been the need to understand the wider stakeholder system, the need to support people through change and the need to attend to team effectiveness, with a focus on interpersonal skills and communications.
A career in HR and OD has kept me connected to people at all levels of the organisation from the most junior to the Board. I have built great working relationships with colleagues and helped them build teams to deliver excellent performance.
I have been privileged to be involved in some hugely exciting projects, including playing a leading role in the launch of the University of Suffolk, supporting the merger between University College Falmouth and Dartington College of Art (now University of Falmouth) and the rationalisation of hospital services in the Medway towns.
I work as an associate with the following organisations: AUA Consulting, Diversitas Group, GatenbySanderson and Know You More.
My Training
-
MSc in Strategic Training & Development, University of Surrey
-
MA in Educational Research, University of Sussex
-
EMCC accredited Coach Practitioner Diploma (currently working towards Senior Practitioner level accreditation, due for completion Spring 2021).
-
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
-
Fellow (and Board Trustee) of the Association of University Administrators
-
Co-Chair of the Organisational Development in Higher Education network