Strategic Facilitation & Action Learning for Higher Education Teams

The Solution

I'm Fiona Bicket. I facilitate strategic conversations and Action Learning for PS teams in UK Higher Education.

What makes me different:

I know HE intimately - 13 years working in the sector plus five years coaching senior PS professionals means you don’t need to explain the context

I bring a person-centred, reflective, optimistic approach - Participants consistently describe feeling "inspired, thoughtful, optimistic" after sessions

I build longer relationships when it serves the work - Not just one-off interventions

I hold space sensitively, even in hard conversations - Whether it's difficult survey feedback or restructure anxiety

How I Work

Action Learning Programmes

My signature work. I facilitate structured Action Learning for leadership teams and managers, helping them learn from each other's challenges and develop coaching mindsets.

What this looks like:

• Series of 6+ sessions over 6 months with consistent group
• Participants bring real challenges, receive peer coaching using Action Learning methodology
• I facilitate initially, then transition the methodology so the group can continue independently
• Builds reflective practice, coaching capability, and peer support

Recent examples:
1) Facilitated 6-month Action Learning programme for 12 regional engagement managers at an HE service provider. Participants developed coaching skills and the quality of their questions became "much more potent and thought-provoking." They now use the methodology in their ongoing team meetings.

2) For the last 5 years I've been facilitating on the South East Action Learning Programme (SEAL). It's a consortium programme that brings together women in PS and Academic leadership positions (G8+) from universities across London and the South East. Participants consistently reflect finding more confidence, finding their voice and rediscovering their sense of ambition.

Investment: From £5,000 for 6-month programme

Listening & Insight Work

When teams need to understand what's really going on: especially during change, after difficult surveys, or when trust is low.

What this looks like:

• Combination of 1:1 interviews and facilitated group forums
• Safe, confidential spaces for people to speak honestly
• Written report with themes, insights, and recommendations for leadership
• I hold space sensitively, even when conversations are difficult

Recent example: Following challenging staff engagement survey results, facilitated 3 forum-style sessions (6 people each) plus 12 individual interviews. Delivered report to Senior Leadership Team with recommended ways forward.

Investment: From £2,500 depending on scale and complexity

Team Development & Strategy Sessions

Half-day or full-day sessions for teams who need dedicated time away from operational delivery to think strategically, improve collaboration, or navigate change.

What this looks like:

• Pre-session consultation to understand context and desired outcomes
• Facilitated session (2-4 hours or full day) with structured activities and open dialogue
• Space for teams to surface tensions, align on priorities, or plan collaboratively
• Post-session summary and follow-up support

Recent examples:

• 2 half-days with senior leaders from Admissions, Recruitment, and Marketing functions working on cross-functional collaboration during admissions cycles
• Half-day with operations team preparing to lead through major change project, focusing on proactive leadership and bringing junior colleagues along
• Away day for Faculty Professional Services team on professional development and change resilience during restructure

Participant feedback: "Really enjoyable for everyone and I learnt a lot from it. Loads to take forward and definitely feel like we got the planned outcomes out of the day. Lots to build on!"

Investment:

• Half-day session (2-3 hours): £1,500 + travel
• Full-day session: £3,000 + travel
• Multi-session programmes: from £4,500

Who I Work With

Professional Services teams in all types of HEIs (Russell Group and Post-92 universities), including:

• Senior leadership teams (Heads of Service, Directors)
• Cross-functional project groups navigating complexity
• Middle managers developing leadership capability
• Teams going through restructures or significant change
• Groups of 6-120 people (I adapt approach to group size)

What Teams Come to Me For

The most common request: "Help us take time away from day-to-day pressures and make space to think differently."

Specific scenarios where I help:

• Cross-functional teams needing to improve how they work together
• Leadership teams navigating restructures or significant change
• Managers developing coaching capability and reflective practice
• Teams processing difficult feedback or low engagement scores
• Groups wanting to build change resilience and professional development culture
• Senior leaders preparing teams for complexity and ambiguity

What Clients Say

"Fiona holds space very sensitively."
—  Participant, Leadership Development Session

"Thanks again for yesterday. It was really enjoyable for everyone and I learnt a lot from it. Loads to take forward and definitely feel like we got the planned outcomes out of the day. Lots to build on!"
—  Head of Professional Services Team

"The quality of questions participants asked each other became much more potent and thought-provoking through the Action Learning work."
—  Engagement Manager Programme Lead

How We'd Work Together

Step 1: Initial conversation (no charge)
We'll talk about what you need, what's happening in your team/service, and whether this is a good fit.

Step 2: Proposal
I'll send you a simple proposal outlining approach, outcomes, and investment based on our conversation.

Step 3: Pre-work
For longer engagements, I meet with key people to understand context and dynamics. For shorter sessions, a planning call with the team lead.

Step 4: Facilitation
I design and deliver sessions that balance structure with space, activity with reflection, and challenge with support.

Step 5: Follow-up
You receive summary of outputs, agreed actions, and any frameworks we used. For longer programmes, ongoing support is built in.

Investment Guide

Action Learning Programmes: £5,000-7,000 for 6-month programme (6+ sessions)

Listening & Insight Work: £2,500-4,000 depending on scale (interviews + forums + report)

Multi-session Team Development: £4,500-6,000 for 2-3 sessions over several months

Single Away Day or Strategy Session:

• Half-day (2-3 hours): £1,500
• Full day: £3,000

Plus travel expenses where applicable

All prices include preparation, facilitation, and post-session resources/summaries.

My Capacity

I typically take on 1-2 facilitation projects per month alongside my coaching practice. This allows me to give full attention to each piece of work rather than rushing between engagements.

For 2026 I have capacity for:

• 2-3 sustained Action Learning or listening programmes
• Regular team development sessions with teams I already know
• Selected one-off away days or strategic sessions

If you're interested in working together, book early - especially for Action Learning programmes which require consistent monthly slots.

Next Steps

Email me at [email protected]. 

I'm happy to have an initial conversation to understand what you need and explore whether we're a good fit.

About your coach

I’m Fiona Bicket, the founder of the HE Professional Services Progression Pathways and a specialist self-belief coach for Higher Education professionals.

I built this programme because in most institutions, there’s a clear Academic Promotions Pathway but nothing equivalent for Professional Services.

If we want to be taken seriously as peers and partners in shaping the future of Higher Education, then we need to take our careers seriously too. That means moving beyond waiting to be recognised, and instead learning to recognise, name, and evidence our value with credibility and conviction.

I spent 13 years as a Professional Services manager in UK HE, and over the last four years I’ve coached more than 250 HE professionals to step into leadership, secure promotions, and navigate their careers on their own terms.

The truth is: the system isn’t transparent. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck.

This programme is about giving you the insight, tools and support to move forward with purpose, strategy, and self-assurance.

If that sounds like what you’ve been waiting for, I’d love to welcome you in.