Coaching, Courses and Resources for thoughtful Higher Education Professionals

The Grounded Manager programme

A 6 month coaching programme for HE managers who are ready to feel more sturdy and grounded in their management role.

1:1 Coaching

For those times when you know you're either pursuing a goal, need to overcome a management or leadership challenge or maybe just need a boost of confidence.

See your options

Looking for application and interview support?

If you've got a role in your sights or even an interview coming up and you want some help, we can do one or two targeted coaching sessions to help you get ready to apply with conviction.

Here are your options

Or perhaps you're looking for something for your team, but not sure exactly what you need?

Whether something is off with your team culture or you need your managers be more effective, I'm confident I can help.

Client testimonials

Andrew

I feel like she completely reorganised my headspace and helped me to find ways of working that suited me; to find my own way to do my job, rather than fitting in with what I thought I needed to be. She's helped me manage my team better, to feel less weighed down, to understand myself better and to be able to see in a much clearer way what I need to do with my career. There were a good few moments where my thought process utterly changed for the better.

Sarah

Fiona is a warm and compassionate coach who really *gets* higher education and the challenges and opportunities it presents to HE professionals.

She helps you focus in on your strengths and how they line up with your career goals.

Fiona worked with me during a critical period in my career to enable me to make the best decision for me, my family, and my professional interests. She laid the groundwork to making me feel secure in making a courageous career decision - to go freelance - something that feels 100% right for me now, but was a distant vision before we met.

Wayne

The time spent with Fiona has been invaluable in rediscovering who I am as a leader and manger and what I want to achieve in my career. There are no easy answers but Fiona has asked the difficult questions and provided the impetus for rediscovery.

Iola

I would recommend Fiona to anybody struggling with finding a clear way forward, and wanting to understand underlying beliefs to help change behaviours and feelings.

Lisa

I highly recommend Fiona. She is warm, welcoming, and her love for her work is infectious.

Fiona has a strong understanding of the HE sector and how to get the best out of the people in it. She has a way of drawing out your dreams, allaying your fears, and setting you on the path you need to be on. And she’ll be there to support you on the journey.

I've been coaching HE professionals for the last 5 years and I worked in the sector for 13 years prior to that.

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.

If you're unsure what support you need feel free to book a call.

You can tell me more about what you're experiencing and if we're a good fit to work together I'll make a proposal for how I might support you, or if we're not the right fit I'll refer you to a trusted colleague with the expertise you need.

Book a call