The IC Consultancy

The IC Global Partnership’s Consultants (The IC Global Fellows) have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of internationalisation and global engagement in the education sector.  We understand the complex, shifting and multiple stakeholder environment that you operate in; that’s our business. But it’s only part of the story, read on to find out more about our passion and dedication.

Let's talk

Let´s work together

When looking for consultancy services, we know that you expect to work with an expert  team whose advice, abilities and knowledge you will trust, who will truly understand your issues and needs, and provide best practice and innovative solutions, creative ideas and outstanding results. We can assure you that our IC Global Fellows (our consultants) provide and deliver on all of these and much more.  What you may not know is what makes us unique and special and we’re keen to share this with you.

For Education Institutions

We are passionate

You will work with experts who have dedicated their professional lives to the education sector and are passionate about internationalisation and global engagement.

We are value driven

You will find that we care about you, your department, your area and your institution.

We’ve been there

Your challenges and opportunities are ones that we understand. Our consultants have all worked in the education sector for many years, in senior positions and influential roles, leading and delivering impactful results. We know how to listen, contribute and constructively challenge you. 

We understand you

We have created a global community of higher education professionals from 62 different countries. Our UK institutional community members alone represent over 235,000 international students in the UK.  We listen to our partners’ needs, share best practice, understand the critical issues of now and make global connections happen. 

For Education Service Supporters

Your global experts and specialist hub

Our team of experts live, breathe and sometimes even dream of international education.  We are committed, passionate and have years of experience in the education sector, in senior positions and influential roles.  This includes marketing and communications expertise to help you position your brand and make an impact.

Your global access

We believe in working collaboratively and so by working with us, you will benefit from our large and growing global network of higher education institutions from over 62 different countries. Our UK institutional community members alone, represent over 304,650 international students in the UK. We have extensive international networks and partnerships developed over many years of working in the education sector and we understand your clients and your needs.

Understanding your world

As specialists who have worked in the education sector for many years, we understand the marketplace, the education landscape, your customers and your role within it. That’s because we’ve been there ourselves. Like you, we are passionate about working in internationalisation and global engagement.

Building your business

We believe that a partnership with us will help your business to thrive, whether it is product development, relationship retention or brand enhancement. This is because you will be working with a highly experienced team, with years of specialist knowledge and 100% passion. We love the work we do and proudly get results.

What do we offer?

We provide a full portfolio of consultancy services in the higher education sector through a network of IC Global Fellows, who are leaders and professionals with specialisation in specific areas of internationalisation and global engagement.

The IC Global Fellows are sector-leading experts with a breadth of specialist knowledge and vast experience, so we are able to develop your strategy, expand your offerings, grow your business, solve your problems and fulfil your needs.

Whether you manage a small, growing international team or a large, established institution, we have experience of successfully working with clients in both the UK and international institutions.

Our areas of expertise include

  • > Resource

  • >  Legal 

  • >  Marketing

  • >  Recruitment

  • >  Brand

  • >  Strategy

  • >  Operations

  • >  Change Management

  • >  Governance

  • >  Research

  • >  Geographical Specialisation (countries and regions)

  • >  Bespoke Training

  • >  Mentoring and Coaching

How do we work?

Working Collaboratively

We believe in working collaboratively with you to deliver on your projects. We will help you to find the balance between what is possible and what is achievable. When supporting you, we take a consultative, independent and objective approach.

Specialist Experience and Expertise

We use our specialist experience and expertise as international education leaders and influencers to provide well informed, impactful, actionable and winning recommendations and outcomes.

Sector Best Practice

The diversity of our consultants means they have a true understanding of sector best practice, so we can assess, adjust and improve your activities. Your carefully selected team of consultants will be your trusted advisors bringing you innovative solutions and creative ideas to ensure sustainable, long term outstanding results and success.

Values Led

Our core values of sustainability, collaboration, innovation, global learning and inclusivity underpin everything we do. Being values led ensures successful and mutually beneficial relationships in all our projects.

Our IC Global Fellows

A warm welcome from all of us, here at The IC Global Partnership.  As an internationalisation and global engagement knowledge hub, we are able to provide you with the advice and expertise to meet all your consultancy needs.  

Our IC Global Fellows are well placed to help you because they have either held senior positions in the higher education sector; played influential roles in sector-specific advisory and professional bodies and/or provided consultancy/training/audits within the sector.  They have a strong reputation in the higher education sector and have extensive international networks that support the work commissioned. We look forward to meeting you.

Find out more about The IC Global Fellows by clicking on their photos below

Melissa Abache

Melissa Abache

The IC Global Fellow

Melissa is the director of international student recruitment and marketing at Koç University in Turkey and brings her 18 years of experience in the public, private and non-for profit sectors to help higher education institutions and government organizations advance their internationalization goals by being better at: understanding and communicating their strenghts in new markets with limited resources, and developing scholarship and sponsored student programs.

She has worked at Koç University for 8 years where she has led Erasmus+ strategic partnership projects on the use of internationalization data for decision making, digital transformation projects that included the use of CRM and online application and marketing monitoring systems, joint research partnership programs, and marketing and recruitment plans for joint Master degrees. She is a founder of the Internationalization of Turkish Research Universities group and contributes as a practitioner researcher to projects related to the role of international students at the national level. Originally from Venezuela, she graduated as an Urban Planner from Universidad Simon Bolivar, and was later a Chevening Scholar at the London School of Economics in the UK (MSc in Development and Environment Studies). Before working in international education, Melissa held sustainability, regeneration and community engagement and Development consulting roles in Spain and the UK.

Charlene Allen_1

Charlene Allen

The IC Global Fellow

Charlene has over 20 years’ experience in higher education. She has held senior roles across several universities in the UK, held a national sector leading role as Chair of British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) and sat on strategic international advisory boards for the British Council, Universities UK International and the UK Council for International Students Association. Her work has included the development and implementation of various internationalisation projects, lobbying on internationalisation matters and working with the Department of Education and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy International Team on the UK International Education Strategy.

Charlene has provided support to organisations in the form of chairing advisory boards, non-executive director support and mentoring team members. She has also mentored leaders and members of their team to support them in their career development as well as troubleshoot operational and strategic challenges. The consultancy projects Charlene has delivered typically include projects which have required horizon scanning, competitor analysis and benchmarking, international student recruitment, various aspects of marketing and communications and internationalisation strategy.

Gin Bhandal

Gin Bhandal

The IC Global Fellow

Gin Bhandal is Director of upgrade: career coaching. He has 15 years’ experience working in the executive search industry with a range of commercial and public sector clients. He is a graduate from Aston Business School and over the last 10 years as worked with over 50 universities, colleges and schools to deliver consultancy assignments across the Education sector. Gin works as a Career Coach for Warwick Business School, one of the world’s leading Business Schools.
As Director of upgrade: career coaching Gin engages with clients to unlock their true talent potential. This involves coaching sessions covering all aspects of career and personal development, career transition guidance, application/interview coaching and leadership development utilising psychometric tools.
Ralph Buiser

Ralph Buiser

The IC Global Fellow

Ralph has over ten years of experience in data and market insight roles with eight of those years in the Higher Education sector for a Russell Group university and a leading established global marketing and agent aggregator. Ralph has led the production of intelligence reports, the production of market and research insights and delivered market intelligence reports in support of strategic decision making. He has also led on customer satisfaction surveys and research that has supported business development opportunities and reviewed client acquisition and retention strategies. Ralph has worked with several UK HEIs as well as international clients providing a broad understanding of how data can inform strategy and planning. He has a detailed understanding of the global data sets available and what insights can be gleaned from a full analysis.
Guy Doughty

Guy Doughty

The IC Global Fellow

Guy Doughty is Director of Doughty Consulting and TNEConsultants.
Guy has more than 30 years’ experience in international higher education that spans both academic and institutional management and recruitment in both the public and private sector.
Guy started his career as an academic at university. He moved on to senior roles within private providers, becoming academic director for the first embedded pathway college in the UK (HIBT now HIC) and then working for Kaplan. For the last 12 years as a consultant, he has had major contracts with a variety of educational institutions both commercial and public sector, creating strategies for, and delivering, organisational change, growth and development. Guy has managed operations and organisations in a number of countries, as well as the UK, in Nigeria, China, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda. He has overseen the full range of transnational arrangements: from tuition support, through franchise and validation arrangements to dual degree programmes. He has also worked both with independent delivery partners and branch campuses.
Maria L Gallo, EdD

Maria L Gallo, EdD

The IC Global Fellow

Dr Maria Gallo is a qualitative researcher and alumni scholar with 20 years’ experience in higher education leadership roles in Ireland and Canada. As the Founder of KITE Limited, she specialises in research and strategic projects including alumni strategic planning, international education with philanthropy and global alumni networks. Her recent clients include governments, universities, and organisations across 17 countries. Maria is also the appointed Expert Alumni Advisor to CERN and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin. She is the author of The Alumni Way published in 2021 by Policy Press.
Professor Abigail Gregory MBE

Professor Abigail Gregory MBE

The IC Global Fellow

Professor Abigail Gregory MBE is Director of Academic Strategy at Pagoda Projects, a socially engaged company specialising in global internships and sustainable global experiences. She is also an HE Consultant (Internationalisation and DEI), Executive Coach and Mentor.

Professor Gregory has more than thirty years' experience as an academic and is a Professor of Comparative Sociology, specialising in gender equality and work-life balance. She has a strong senior leadership track record, most recently in the roles of Faculty Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty Head of International, Associate Dean International and Associate Head Marketing and Recruitment for multi-disciplinary academic units at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

A linguist by background, Professor Gregory has particular experience of and passion for internationalisation. Skilled at working with diverse stakeholders across cultures and disciplines, she has developed and led internationalisation strategy at home and overseas, creating enterprising and impactful student-focussed and income generating activities globally, and notably in East and Southeast Asia and North America. She has been a Department of International Trade Export Champion and was awarded an MBE for services to export in November 2019.

Prof Christopher Hill

Professor Christopher Hill

The IC Global Fellow

Prof Christopher Hill has worked in TNE since 2008; spending 9 years in Malaysia and 5 in Dubai. Christopher is an OBHE Associate, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Specialist for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, an Adjunct Researcher for the Higher Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan and Senior External Examiner for the University of Westminster in Tashkent. His research interests include TNE and its impact on national systems; the role of online learning; and the development of international education and the student experience in the global arena. Dr Hill hosts the Think Education podcast.
Barbara Howell

Barbara Howell

The IC Global Fellow

Barbara is the Director of Global UniStudy. Barbara Howell's portfolio career spans some twenty-five years in the Further and Higher Education (HE) sector with significant leadership and management experience at a senior level in small specialist and large complex organisations. Over that period Barbara has gained a comprehensive understanding of UK higher education systems/frameworks, transnational higher education, internationalisation approaches and practice, funding mechanisms, enterprise and commercial propositions, quality assurance procedures and the implementation of strategies and solutions. Barbara is certified as IENG-MBCS CITP a Fellow of the HEA, had several external examiner roles and has been a QAA Institutional Auditor/Reviewer for the last 14 years (to include overseas review, pathway providers and embedded colleges).

Barbara is passionate about internationalisation and working with institutions locally and globally to enhance their offer. She has created many innovative strategies and approaches to encourage greater engagement in mobility opportunities and increase international student recruitment. She also has also led on the initiation development and ongoing management of many highly successful transnational higher education and joint-venture partnerships.

Helen Kelly

Helen Kelly

The IC Global Fellow

Dr. Helen Kelly has over 20 years experience in the Higher Education sector, across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong background in the Learning, Teaching and Professional Services space. Helen has held a range of senior leadership roles at Trinity College Dublin, University of Warwick, and SOAS, University of London, and is highly experienced at developing institutional strategy and delivering operational excellence across complex global initiatives and networks. A natural collaborator and effective communicator at ease working with and influencing multiple partners and stakeholders. Helen has extensive experience of leading and delivering change management within complex organisations. She is an inspirational leader used to managing large multidisciplinary teams - in person and remotely - to create high-performing cultures and dynamics within agile working environments. Over the course of her career this has included: global partnerships and student recruitment; TNE; access/foundation programmes; establishing pan-European HEI network; fundraising and advancement; communications; quality assurance and governance. Helen is a strong all-round educational professional and globally skilled leader, who is passionate about the power of education and the importance of creating a shared and connected international community.
Tom Kennie

Tom Kennie

The IC Global Fellow

Dr. Tom Kennie is Director of Ranmore which he co-founded over 20 years ago. Tom specialises in leadership development and innovation with a particular focus on higher education both in the UK and globally. He has worked with over 150 universities globally on a range of leadership, management and governance projects. More specifically he works with individuals (as a coach), groups (to develop teams) and organisations (to enhance performance and foster innovation).

His earlier career involved 12 years as an academic at the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica and at the University of Surrey. He then spent 9 years in the professional service sector – latterly as an HR Director. Among other projects he was responsible for co-founding and directing for 13 years the (now) Advance HE ‘Top Management Programme (TMP)’. Building on this experience he recently, in 2021, co-authored, with Professor Robin Middlehurst ‘Leadership Transitions in Universities: Arriving, Surviving & Thriving at the Top’ (Routledge).

Tom is an Honorary Senior Fellow in the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education in the University of Melbourne and is also an IC Global Fellow.

Professor Judith Lamie PhD

Professor Judith Lamie

The IC Global Fellow

Professor Judith Lamie PhD is a highly experienced educationalist having worked in the higher education sector for over 30 years. Judith is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor International at Swansea University. As PVCI Judith is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the University’s International Strategy. She is also responsible for all student recruitment, alumni relations and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Prior to this Judith held various strategic and internationally-focused senior roles within a number of institutions. Her former roles include Deputy Vice-Chancellor International at Middlesex University, Pro Vice-Chancellor External Affairs at the University of Derby, Director of International Strategy and Relations at the University of Birmingham, International Director at the University of Leeds, and Chair of the Board of Directors at NAVITAS UK. At these institutions she provided institutional leadership in internationalisation, marketing and student recruitment, partnership development, transnational education and online learning.

Judith is a Fellow of the HEA and has published widely within the fields of international education, change management, applied linguistics and transnational education.

Dr Anthony Manning

Dr Anthony Manning

The IC Global Fellow

Dr Anthony Manning is Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at the University of Kent, UK. Through his role at Kent, Anthony is responsible for the development, implementation and review of International and Lifelong Learning activity which includes international programmes, international pathways to higher education, online learning and higher and degree apprenticeships. Anthony is a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE and a National Teaching Fellow. He has published widely in fields linked to international education, assessment and internationalisation at Home and has worked as an external examiner for more than 10 Universities in the Uk and overseas. Anthony has lived as and worked in five countries and has led educational development activities in more than 50 nations around the world. Anthony is also the founder of various networks and fora including Innovations in Internationalisation at Home. As well as being an IC Global Fellow Anthony is a trustee for the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and is also the current Chair of BAC’s Accreditation Committee.
Sirin Myles Bio Photo

Sirin Myles

The IC Global Fellow

Sirin is a highly experienced International Leader and specialist in higher education. She has more than 20 years of international marketing and leadership experience in diplomatic and higher education organisations. Sirin’s career includes the British Council in Istanbul, marketing British education; Regional Director at the University of Southampton and Director of the International Office at the University of Reading. At Reading, Sirin had joint responsibility for all of the University’s Marketing, Communication and Engagement. Since 2016, Sirin has been providing a specialist independent consultancy, individual and leadership coaching to higher education institutions.

Sirin is also a professionally trained career coach and since 2017, she has been providing coaching to international education leaders. The consultancy projects that Sirin has delivered typically include projects which require research and recommendations to meet ambitious targets. Sirin specialises in global engagement strategy, student recruitment, international education marketing, effective delivery and management of international partnerships, training and the building of internal capabilities, and always with a focus on internal buy-in for successful creation and delivery of strategies and plans.

Ayse Deniz OZKAN

Ayse Deniz OZKAN

The IC Global Fellow

I am an international education professional (16 years), with previous experience in the higher education sector as lecturer. I have worked in many areas of international education (Erasmus, exchange and summer programs, international marketing and recruitment, lecturing and managing services for international students). I am focusing on global education and partnerships in my current role at Istanbul Aydin University. I am also the coordinator for the conference program of EURIE Eurasia Higher Education Summit. As a true believer in the value of international education, I am involved with various associations and engage in peer-mentoring in this field. I deliver trainings/ workhops for international office staff in the areas of internationalization strategy, internationalization at home, trends in internationalization and intercultural competences. My experience and interests in higher education management also cover the areas of strategic planning, quality assurance, project management.
Dr. Jessica Price

Dr. Jessica Price

The IC Global Fellow

Jessica Price works as a counselling psychologist, lecturer and higher education consultant in the field of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and has advised on culturally sensitive mental health support for international students at various universities in Germany. Additionally, she works with international counselling clients, providing a supportive, safe space. Moreover, she lectures on Gender and Multiculturalism, Intercultural Communication and Organisational Behaviour, among other topics. She holds two Master’s degrees from New York University and Jacobs University and a PhD in Psychology, also from Jacobs University. Jessica is currently a board member of the Guidance and Counselling Expert Community at the EAIE.
Stuart Rennie

Stuart Rennie

The IC Global Fellow

Stuart Rennie is Managing Director of SJRennie Consulting Ltd and Managing Director of AfaraEd. He is an International Education Consultant with over 20 years’ experience and specialises in Sub Saharan Africa. Stuart has worked as Director and Head of successful, target-driven International Offices at leading UK universities and also has business development experience in the private sector with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Kaplan.

Guillem Rojas

The IC Global Fellow

Guillem Rojas, MBA, is a mixed methods researcher (quant, qual, data analysis, evaluation, impact, usability...) with almost 15 years of experience designing and executing completing insight projects from the objectives definition stage up to the methodology, design, analysis, reporting and presentation of key findings. A majority of his insight experience has been working in international education contexts like being a global researcher for Pearson Education; doing strategic business reports on trends in global online education for several consultancies; or setting up from scratch the market insight function for a top UK university. He has also extensive experience doing research in the public, charity and consumer sectors.
Justin Shaw

Justin Shaw

The IC Global Fellow

Justin Shaw is a specialist in communications, reputation, engagement and influence for the higher education sector. He has 30 years’ experience of working with universities. Following an initial career in journalism, Justin worked as the Communications, Media and PR Executive for the University of Hertfordshire. He then went on to set up and Education Practice within Communications Management, a communications consultancy. During his time as a consultant, he has advised and worked with more than 200 higher education clients - universities, specialist colleges, business schools, government agencies, charities and commercial partners. He has been awarded a Fellowship of the CIPR.
Dörte Stevenson

Dörte Stevenson

The IC Global Fellow

Dörte Stevenson has over 25 years of experience in Higher Education. She is widely respected for her expertise in global institutional partnerships, staff and students’ international experiences, transnational education, institutional internationalisation strategies, and marketing and communications. Her clients include international and national organisations, universities, and private companies.

Dörte worked for 17 years at the University of Sheffield where she led on international partnership development, implemented the University’s Internationalisation Strategy, and managed student mobility schemes including the Erasmus+ programme, one of the most successful in the U.K. She also worked at the University of Bath and held several positions within public relations, marketing, and arts management.

Dörte studied at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and at Durham University.

Simon Terrington

Simon Terrington

The IC Global Fellow

Simon is an International Education Marketing specialist with 22 years experience of successfully working for universities and private education companies. He lived in Colombia for over 12 years, where he co-founded, managed and then sold an education agency (MAS Education). He then worked as Recruitment Director, Latin America for INTO University Partnerships for over 5 years. After seeing the need for dedicated local support Simon then launched EdCo LATAM Consulting with Jamie Ash to support international institutions achieve their recruitment aspirations across Latin America.
Simon is passionate about Latin America and very much enjoys supporting educational institutions to achieve their objectives across Latin America.

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