DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Dr Kenton Lewis, MBE
Kenton is an educational sociologist who also draws on organisational psychology in his work. He is an experienced manager and trainer, is a qualified mediator and executive coach, and he specialises in supporting individuals and groups through complex problems.
Prior to becoming an independent consultant, he worked for 18 years in higher education administration, management, leadership and governance, with a particular focus on staff development (including executive coaching), stakeholder management, community engagement, organisational development, and research & evaluation. He has been a Trustee (non-executive) at the AUA, a founding member of The Bridge Group (an independent social mobility policy association, where he remains a Research Lead), and a Lay Observer for the Ministry of Justice (PECS). Kenton is a Fellow of the AUA, the CMI, a Principal Fellow of the HEA, and a Fellow of the RSA.
Kenton has held senior and strategic roles at the University of Bristol, the University of Oxford, St George's, University of London, and at the Higher Education Academy where he advised senior staff across the UK on the strategic leadership of teaching and learning. He is published on issues of professional staff development and social mobility, and has extensively researched constructions of identity and belonging of staff, students, and other key stakeholder groups.
He has won multiple national and international awards for educational innovation, including the Lord Mayor of London Dragon Award, two e-Learning Age Awards, and the Guardian Public Service Award. He was recognised in the 2014 New Year Honours with an MBE for services to Higher Education.
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANTS
Jim Durrant
Jim has 30 years’ experience in higher education. As Head of School in the Faculty of the Built Environment he was responsible for the academic management of a range of programmes at undergraduate and post graduate level. He has significant external examining and institutional quality audit experience including professional accreditation of courses, and is a Principal Fellow of the HEA. Jim recently completed a major research project evaluating the effectiveness of internationalisation strategies on the international student experience. He has implemented institution wide project management, staff development and audit systems. In 2004 Jim moved into senior management as Vice Principal Corporate Services, and Chief Operating Officer with strategic responsibility for Estates, Finance, Governance and ICT. Jim’s expertise covers Estates planning, institutional governance and business development. His research interest and expertise is in internationalism.
Emma Ford
Emma has worked as an independent coach and facilitator in the areas of personal, leadership and career development for the past 10 years. Prior to this she worked in the Energy Industry for 16 years, latterly managing Graduate Selection in Europe for a multinational organisation; the tools and processes she developed were shared as best practice for experienced and MBA hire globally. She has developed and delivered leadership and career management programmes and experiential skills workshops including: team working; networking; presentations; and leadership of self and others. She coaches globally-based clients who work across the sectors. Emma is a straightforward and pragmatic coach, who encourages people to think about their careers and how they can enable themselves to manage their future, become the leaders they want to be, and perform to the best of their ability.
Neil Gilbride
Neil is an experienced researcher, trainer and teacher, with expertise in Educational Leadership and Inclusive Practice. Previously, he worked in a wide range of roles across the voluntary and public sector, including: executive coach; school governor; family support worker; researcher; and middle leader. Neil is a Teach First ambassador, having taught in areas of high socio-economic need for over 4 years. His professional expertise is in the applications of psychology in major industry bodies, HEIs, schools, emerging start-ups, and established SMEs. Neil is uniquely qualified in the use of adult developmental theory to support the learning of individuals, teams and organisations, with his primary focus areas being: developing leadership capacities; promoting psychological safety; and supporting companies to work with their Millenial/Generation Z employees.
Harriet Harper
Harriet specialises in teaching and learning. She advises senior staff on strategic leadership and has supported institutions with the design and implementation of continuing professional development frameworks and teaching and learning strategies. She also works directly with teams and/or individuals, tailoring sessions to their specific needs. She enjoys supporting experienced teachers to reflect on and develop their practice, as well as supporting those who are new to teaching. Recognised as a Principal Fellow of the HEA, Harriet has extensive experience of both the further and higher education sectors. She has held a variety of teaching, management and leadership roles and also has significant experience of institutional quality audit and external examining. Harriet's research interests and publications focus on teaching excellence.
Jenny Kenning
Jenny has significant management and leadership experience in organisations supporting the Higher Education sector, having worked with universities at a strategic level for the past 17 years. Through her role as Executive Director of the East Midlands Universities association, she has a track record of partnership management and development of collaborative projects – particularly in student enterprise and knowledge transfer. Most recently she was a Partnership Manager for the Higher Education Academy, advising senior managers at a large portfolio of institutions on the strategic leadership of teaching and learning. This included the development and implementation of institution-wide continuing professional development frameworks, underpinned by the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF).