My background and experience
Practical solutions based on theory and experience
I build high trust teams and relationships by ensuring the right conditions are in place: clarity, safety, consistency and empathy.
In every piece of work, I identify which conditions are missing and make a deliberate plan to build them.
My career journey
My work has always been tested in a real organisation, not theorised from a distance.
I’ve spent over 24 years working at the intersection of leadership and learning: as a classroom teacher, school leader, and as Head of L&D at Nesta, the UK's innovation agency and home to the Behavioural Insights Team.
My 18 years in schools taught me what it takes to change behaviour in high-stakes environments with students, staff and families. I had to design for the reality people are living in, not the ideal I wished was true.
For the last 5 years I’ve worked alongside behavioural scientists, service designers and data experts. It means every solution has had to stand up to evidence, not just good intentions. I still consult three days weekly for Nesta Group, which means I’m still a practitioner who is accountable for results.
What my experience bring to clients
I use the combination of frontline grit and strategic rigour to bring three elements to clients:
01 Sharp focus on impact: Pragmatic solutions built for your goals and your people.
02 Respect for your time: You’re too busy to manage a consultant. I’m proactive, independent and highly accountable to my work.
03 Kindness and honesty: 18 years of teaching means I know how to hold a room when the topic is uncomfortable.
Experience…
…backed up by theory
Master’s in Educational Leadership
CLO100 Certificate in Executive Education, Leeds Business School
CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership & Management Practice
I use the 3Cs to deliver practical, long-lasting solutions
Curiosity
Lasting solutions start with the right questions because the presenting problem is rarely the real problem. I use diagnostic tools to understand what's actually getting in the way and why the obvious solutions haven't worked yet.
Compassion
Development requires vulnerability. I combine high standards with a non-judgmental approach to help teams reflect honestly, admit mistakes and learn. It’s not about being nice, it’s about removing the defensiveness that blocks performance.
Critical thinking
I use logic and evidence to align solutions to your shared goals and norms. This isn’t always easy, but it is the route to growth and business performance.
Let’s talk.
If you're not sure which service fits, that's fine - most conversations start there.
Get in touch and I’ll ask the right questions to start working out what will help.
