Academy

Julie is an ICF-accredited coach and organisation consultant. Julie has expertise working with individuals and teams at a deep level to resolve workplace challenges and difficult team dynamics. She has over twenty years' experience in international education including ten years in a senior leadership role at UKCISA – the UK Council for International Student Affairs. She holds a Master's degree in Consulting and Leading in Organisations, a systems psychodynamic approach from the Tavistock Clinic where she is now a Visiting Lecturer on two Master’s programmes.

David has a background as a Partner in a large professional services firm and in higher education, and focuses on people and organisational strategy, leadership development, and change. He brings expertise in coaching and career transitions, supporting clients in navigating often complex career pathways. As a professionally trained and experienced coach, he combines analytical insight with a people-centred approach to help clients achieve clarity, confidence, and impact

Gin has a wealth of experience in the executive search industry and in career coaching. Gin engages with clients to unlock their true talent potential. His coaching sessions cover personal development, career transition guidance, application/interview coaching and leadership development utilising psychometric tools.

Lucy is an experienced coach and specialises in supporting inclusive leadership, supporting transitions (especially when there is cultural change, be that organisational or national), and developing confidence (especially on themes of female voice and being heard). She is a Master Facilitator in Cultural Intelligence and has supported university leaders with coaching since 2012, following a career supporting international ambitions of universities with the British Council.

Helen Foster has been leading teams, coaching and mentoring staff in Higher Education for over twenty-five years. As a qualified coach (Institute of Leadership & Management) she works with staff at all stages of their development. She is currently Director of the International Office at the University of Leeds and has previously held senior Global Development roles at SOAS and the University of Nottingham. She is a specialist in international recruitment and global partnership work.

Abigail is a qualified and accredited Executive Coach and Higher Education Consultant. She is also a certified practitioner in brain and behaviour change. She offers solutions-focused coaching to help leaders and professionals address work-based challenges, navigate career development and transitions, and optimise work-life balance. She is a former senior academic leader, latterly holding the roles of Faculty Deputy PVC and Faculty Head of International. She is published in the field of work-life balance and gender equality and was awarded an MBE for Services to Exports in 2019.

Named as a “Woman of Influence 2023”, Christina is a professionally trained executive coach and mentor specialising in women’s leadership and careers. She brings to this work significant executive leadership experience in both research and teaching intensive universities as well as an international background in research and practice in the field of women and gender.

Tom provides coaching to leaders at the university executive table. He has in-depth expertise in leadership and transition. Tom specialises in enhancing performance and fostering innovation.

Judith has held a variety of executive table roles in UK universities in the area of internationalisation and global engagement and she currently holds a position as PVC-International at Swansea University. She provides mentoring and coaching to university leaders. She is published within the field of internationalisation and change management.

Michael is a multi-award-winning leader, entrepreneur, global marcomms consultant, musician and philanthropist with extensive experience globally in the private and public sectors. He is a former adviser to the UK Government and Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Chartered Institute of Marketing and IC Global Partnership. After a career in global MarComms, Michael worked in education leadership for 12 years before founding Brand & Reputation, named CIM’s ‘Agency of the Year 2023-24’. As a leadership coach, marcomms and reputation management mentor, Michael has worked with education leaders, governing bodies and ambassadors. Michael is also an FA-qualified football coach, session musician and ambassador for the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation.

Anthony is an experienced and trained coach, specialising in the internationalisation of higher education and work-based learning with employers. He currently works as the Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at the University of Kent and is also the Chair of the British Accreditation Council’s Accreditation Committee. In 2023 Anthony was listed as one of the top 50 ‘Eduruptors’ of the year, by ISC Research, for his innovative influence in international education. He is published in the areas of English for Academic Purposes, Assessment, and Internationalisation of Student Experience.

Sirin is a highly experienced International Leader and held senior leadership roles in international education. Sirin is a professionally trained solution-driven Executive and Transitional Coach and Mentor. She has the expertise of coaching directors and university executive table members.

Tania is a seasoned university leader with senior team experience in both the UK and Australia. Her current role is on the executive team of a Russell Group University in the UK with a focus on External Relations. Culturally competent and international in outlook she has lived in and worked across the UK, Europe, North America, Hong Kong and Australia. She is a qualified and accredited executive coach with a broad interest in supporting people in their personal and professional growth. Tania is experienced in coaching colleagues from both an academic and professional services background.

Inés Teresa-Palacio has 18 years of experience in marketing, communications, student recruitment, alumni engagement, fundraising and internationalisation. She has led multidisciplinary teams distributed across several global offices and has developed multiple growth, positioning, engagement and go-to-market strategies internationally. Her expertise combines insight and direct experience from traditional, research-intensive institutions alongside online, more vocational universities. Inés’ natural leadership style, ability to make connections and commitment towards her team and colleagues’ own professional development has led her to become a mentor on several occasions during her career.

Dr Suzanna Tomassi is a UK-based expert in international higher and transnational education (TNE), with experience spanning five continents. She has established over 200 commercial ventures and 100+ university partnerships, benefiting more than 100,000 students.

Suzanna holds a PhD, MBA, two Masters degrees, and is a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE. As a qualified coach, she has worked with middle and senior leaders across education and government. Suzanna has also published and presented widely on higher education and internationalisation in the UK and abroad.

With leadership roles in both higher education and UK government, Suzanna specialises in business development, risk management, and international partnerships. She has collaborated with leading TNE providers and managed academic, commercial, and quality assurance aspects of internationalisation, including collaborative provision and online learning.

Behind the scenes, Suzanna has worked to resolve overseas challenges for UK providers. She has collaborated with government officials, sector leaders, partner institutions, and students to promote the UK HE sector in global negotiations and collaborations.