I am a CIPD qualified education HR specialist with 20 years’ experience. Consistently focussed on giving the very best service I possibly can to my client, I give clear, no-nonsense advice and guidance, supporting them every step of the way on complex HR issues.

Early career experience

I joined the Marks & Spencer graduate training scheme at the age of 18. Starting in the retail sector gave me a lifelong passion for giving clients the best possible service. It is at the heart of everything I do.

Once I’d completed my training, I was promoted to Area Personnel Manager for six stores across Kent.

I held this role for two years until I moved to Boots the Chemist, where I looked after twelve stores. Whilst working full time, I studied for my Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) qualification, graduating in 2002.

After a career break to have my two children, I worked for Kent County Council as a Clerk to several school governing bodies. This gave me an opportunity to learn about education, schools’ governance and leadership.

Education sector specialist

I knew that I wanted to combine working in Human Resources (HR) and working in schools. In 2012 I joined Kent County Council’s Schools’ Personnel Service, as an HR Consultant.

I worked with more than 30 primary and secondary schools advising senior leadership teams. My work included complex disciplinary cases and investigations into conduct and grievances. I frequently dealt with difficult absence management cases and capability concerns. The breadth of issues I dealt with gave me an in-depth knowledge of HR in the education sector.

Ever keen to develop my skills and gain new experiences, I decided to leave SPS in 2017 to gain a better insight of working in a school. In September that year I joined Canterbury’s Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School team as HR Director.

Independent education HR consultant

As an independent consultant, my commercial background gives me a unique advantage when working with educational institutions. It allows me to make strategic decisions, giving education leaders and governors clear, objective advice, whilst getting the best outcome for all involved.