Coaching and consultancy for HE Professional Services managers and leaders who are ready to do things differently.

I know working in HE can feel discombobulating at time but I don't think it needs to feel this hard. Let's figure this out. 

 What are you looking for?

Why work with me

I know Higher Education. I've spent five years coaching HE Professional Services professionals from team management through to institutional leadership across Russell Group and Post-92 institutions. I understand the culture, the politics, the budget pressures, the unspoken rules.

I've mapped the Hidden Curriculum. I've analysed what actually gets people promoted vs. what keeps them stuck. I know what "strategic thinking" and "institutional leadership" actually mean to panels and senior leaders... not the vague feedback, but the specific behaviours and mindsets they're assessing.

I'm outside your institution. You can be honest with me about what's really going on. Your manager doesn't have to know you're struggling with delegation. HR doesn't have to know you're planning to leave. You get objective, expert support without institutional politics.

I bring both coaching and facilitation expertise. Whether you need 1:1 support for your career, group coaching with peers facing similar transitions, or facilitation for your team, I can help.

What people say

"Fiona helped me completely reframe how I think about my career progression. The Hidden Curriculum framework finally made sense of why I'd been stuck and what to do about it."
— Professional Services Manager

"I used the approach Fiona taught me to prepare for an internal restructure interview. My Head of School told me afterwards that I was the standout candidate. My answers were 'so much more elevated than the others.' I got the role."
— Senior Manager

"Fiona holds space very sensitively."
— Away Day Participant

"This isn't fluffy career advice. It's practical, specific, and based on real patterns in how HE actually works. I wish I'd known this stuff 5 years ago."
— Head of Service

If you're not sure what you need:
Email me at [email protected] and let's have a conversation. I'm happy to help you work out what kind of support would be most useful.

About me

I'm Fiona Bicket. Before becoming a coach, I worked in Higher Education, so I know the sector intimately. The culture, the language, the weird politics, the budget pressures, the tensions of different hierarchies.

For the last five years, I've been coaching thoughtful Professional Services professionals through career transitions and leadership challenges, facilitated team development work, and I built the Hidden Curriculum framework that helps people understand what's actually being assessed when panels decide who's "ready."

My approach is warm, direct, and occasionally provocative. I'm here to hold space for you so that you can figure out the right answers for yourself. 

I work with clients across the UK via MS Teams, my programme portal and in person.

Ready to Stop Going It Alone?

Whether you need interview coaching next week, a 12-month programme to build promotion readiness, or facilitation for your team, there's a way to work together.

Or browse the free resources:

Read my blog for more about the Hidden Curriculum. Or