About me

My working life

I am a researcher and writer, currently exploring the nature of working lives. I hold a BA and a PhD (University of Reading) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching, University of London. I’m a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of NICEC ( National Institute for Careers Education and Counselling) and a Retired Member of the Career Development Institute (CDI) .

I spent most of my career working in and around academia, moving from administration into teaching and research roles, and then on to project management and senior leadership, focused on organisational planning and strategy development and delivery.

Along the way, I instigated and led several major projects relating to career management, employability and change. These remained key areas of interest and I ultimately chose to move away from my organisational role and into coaching, with a particular focus on career decision-making at 50+, and then into writing and research.

Prior to all of the above, I worked evenings in bars and restaurants and sold new homes at the weekend, while raising my family. I got my first degree at 38 and my PhD at 42.

See my LinkedIn profile for more information.

My professional values

These values are what I’m all about. They inform how I approach and deliver my work, including in the following ways:

Open-mindedness – I meet those I engage with through my work with compassion and acceptance; I accept the validity of others’ perspectives and experiences; I create a safe space for people to explore, without judgment; I question prescriptive thinking and prescribed routes

Partnership – I always work in the best interests of those I engage with professionally, while remaining clear about my own principles and expectations; I am open to learning from others; I share my knowledge and resources with others to achieve outcomes of mutual benefit

Practicality – I focus on the feasible; while presenting challenge, I remain mindful of others’ real practical and personal constraints; I keep theory and practice in healthy balance; I only commit to what I can deliver in a timely and professional manner

Professionalism – I follow through on my commitments; I respect professional boundaries; I actively maintain my continuing professional development

Generosity – I share my knowledge and expertise with my professional and social communities, at little or no cost to them