Senior Business Psychologist

• Jan 2021 - Present

SEVEN works closely with organisations, teams and individuals to enable positive change for people at work. Together, we overcome business challenges, help people develop to their full potential and foster more effective leadership, inclusion and talent development. SEVEN works closely with organisations, teams and individuals to enable positive change for people at work. Together, we overcome business challenges, help people develop to their full potential and foster more effective leadership, inclusion and talent development.

People Soup Consultancy & Podcast -nourishing the mind, flourishing at work

• Mar 2018 - Present

My focus is the cultivation of behavioural flexibility in organisations. I design and deliver evidence based interventions to support individuals, leaders and teams in the development of skills and insights to enable them to respond to "the fluctuating, conflicting forces that are readily apparent when people navigate the environment and social world." (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010)With that in mind I started a podcast in 2018 with the intention of making evidence based behavioural science accessible, useful and fun for humans at work (and beyond). There are a mixture of short skills based episodes and interviews with experts in the field. It was psychologist Abraham Maslow who said "A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting." That was the starting point for this podcast. More than ever the world of work is a heady mix of people, behaviour, events and challenges. When the blend is right it can be first-rate. Behavioural science has a lot to offer in terms of recipes and ingredients - welcome to the People Soup podcast.Available on itunes, spotify, soundcloud and wherever you get your podcasts.

Visiting Lecturer & Senior Research Associate

• Sep 2015 - Present

I work alongside Dr Paul Flaxman and the Organisational Psychology Research Group. As part of a research project funded by the British Academy we redesigned a workplace well-being intervention based upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I delivered the intervention to teachers in London and Bristol.I also deliver train the trainer interventions - alongside Paul to a variety of NHS trusts and other organisations. I work alongside Dr Paul Flaxman and the Organisational Psychology Research Group. As part of a research project funded by the British Academy we redesigned a workplace well-being intervention based upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I delivered the intervention to teachers in London and Bristol.I also deliver train the trainer interventions - alongside Paul to a variety of NHS trusts and other organisations.

In-House Organisational Psychologist

• Jan 2016 - Jul 2021

I focus on the cultivation of behavioural flexibility in individuals, leaders and teams - using a blend of evidence based research with a strong foundation in Contextual Behavioural Science. I focus on the cultivation of behavioural flexibility in individuals, leaders and teams - using a blend of evidence based research with a strong foundation in Contextual Behavioural Science.

BetterUp Fellow Coach

• Feb 2017 - Dec 2019

BetterUp provides virtual coaching for emerging leaders. I work one-on-one with clients at leading companies to help employees improve their leadership skills, navigate challenges and find meaning and fulfillment at work. BetterUp provides virtual coaching for emerging leaders. I work one-on-one with clients at leading companies to help employees improve their leadership skills, navigate challenges and find meaning and fulfillment at work.

Associate Consultant

• Dec 2016 - Dec 2019

Co-founder and Organisational Psychologist

• Dec 2016 - Jun 2018

Applying cutting edge behavioural science for lasting change in performance and well-being. Applying cutting edge behavioural science for lasting change in performance and well-being.

Coaching Psychologist

• Sep 2015 - Jun 2018

At The Career Psychologist we use psychological evidence to facilitate a more meaningful way to work. We provide services in three main areas; career change, career management and workplace performance. Please see our website for more information. At The Career Psychologist we use psychological evidence to facilitate a more meaningful way to work. We provide services in three main areas; career change, career management and workplace performance. Please see our website for more information.

Head of SCS Assessment & HR Customer Experience

• Jun 2013 - Mar 2014

Developed a Knowledge Base Strategy for the BIS Shared Service Programme and implementing improvements to the HR customer experience.Delivered the Senior Assessment Process for 2013/14 for BIS - designed to identify candidates for roles in the Senior Civil Service. The process was robust, transparent and provided developmental feedback to all participants.Designed and facilitated a conference for 120 people in the Internal Audit function from across government focussed on the creation of a cross government Internal Audit Executive Agency.

Head of Workforce Planning and SCS Asssesment

• Jan 2012 - Jun 2013

Introduced Workforce Planning to the Department to address key issues of grade consistency, talent pipeline planning and workforce flexibility.Delivered short and longer term plans based on modelled predictions and horizon scanning.Delivered an Assessment Centre for BIS to identify those ready for promotion to the Senior Civil Service. * Led the procurement process to identify an expert delivery partner, * Managed the design and project planning and reported back to the BIS People Committee at each critical stage of the process (including sift and final outcomes).The process identified 10 candidates who are now all performing in SCS roles.Assessor for Assessment Centres for Promotion to Grade 7.

Senior HR Business Partner

• Jan 2011 - Dec 2011

Managed and delivered a major restructuring exercise across Knowledge and Innovation Group and the Government Office for Science (c 500 staff) within a 7 month period. This included: * Leading the formulation and design of the new organisational structure with the Director General and Senior Management Team. * Managing the local communications and consideration of applications for a voluntary exit scheme. * Directing a managed moves process and the successful population of the new structure.Rapidly built productive relations with two new Senior Teams to establish myself as the Board Coach which allowed me to address the effectiveness & performance of the team.

HR Business Partner

• Nov 2007 - Dec 2010

Developed resourcing strategy for new Business Environment Unit which delivered the required skills through loans & secondments; embedded succession planning and end dates.Designed and managed a BIS wide secondment programme to respond to emerging business requirement/skills shortage – nine Consultancy secondees in place within ten weeks. Turned around the HR impact within Ministerial Offices to add value both in the short and long term – excellent feedback from Principle Private Secretary.Led resolution of a Machinery of Government change through carefully tailored, realistic communication and creative problem solving to reach a realistic and acceptable outcome.

Deputy Head of Performance Management & Diversity

• Oct 2005 - Oct 2007

Reviewed and redeveloped framework structure for case management through team & stakeholder consultation which delivered consistent, proportionate and timely advice, support and decisions.Coached senior management through handling of 12 complex cases & managed expectations – delivering results to agreed timescales.Reviewed production of management information & developed spreadsheet to capture information needed for management, official briefing, PQs and FOI and future requirements.

HR Adviser to Communities Group

• Mar 2005 - Oct 2005

Managed the implementation of new HR policies for 500 staff through creation of a series of workshops and surgeries.Reviewed recruitment processes and implemented a new strategy to attract a diverse pool of applicants and ensure a swift release for the successful candidate.Designed and delivered a learning and development review. Presented results to Directors – my recommendations for a bulk intervention and the development of a small pool of cross-project administration specialist were adopted with great results.

HR Redeployment Manager for Race Equality Unit

• May 2004 - Mar 2005

Managed the downsizing of the unit by 24 staff operating as a standalone HR expert – resulting unit was equipped to effectively deliver new targets.Successfully managed a programme of communication to staff through coaching senior management to develop their role; Also prepared briefing papers for Director’s meeting with the TUSCoached surplus staff on application form completion and interview techniques, enabling them to reflect on their motivation and overcome deeply embedded limiting decisions – 19 staff secured new posts within 4 months

Investors in People Assessor

• May 2003 - May 2004

Health checked five Directorates against the IiP Standard and established and managed performance improvement measures.Assessed five Directorates against the IiP Standard to planned timescales - conducted over 200 interviews, produced reports and delivered feedback to Directors General and Permanent Secretary.Successful re-accreditation achieved to tight timescales.

Staff Survey Project Manager

• Apr 2002 - May 2003

Managed the procurement exercise for the 2003 staff survey then directed the relationship with the selected partner to manage the design & communications which delivered a 73% response rate.

Interchange and Volunteering Manager

• Mar 2000 - Apr 2002

Reviewed, redeveloped and promoted special leave policy for voluntary activity – 35% increase in use of activity as a development intervention.Relaunched Prince’s Trust Volunteers programme – exceeded Cabinet Office targets for participation.Managed procurement exercise and contract for ‘Bringing In’ Talent programme – negotiated 7 senior inward secondments who contributed to key deliverables.

Presenting Officer - Immigration Appeals

• Sep 1998 - Mar 2000

Defended decisions taken to refuse asylum in the Immigrations Appeal Courts and before the Immigration Tribunal – 90% of cases upheld.Presented highly complex cases and cross examined witnesses whilst maintaining knowledge of policy and country situations.Researched and developed a monthly newsletter for colleagues across the country to highlight precedents and lines to take in common cases.

Deputy Head of Programme Support Office

• May 1996 - Aug 1998

Co-ordinated briefing and organisational awareness for the bidding phase of a complex IT and Change Management Contract over 12 months.Managed and monitored document production in a PRINCE programme and Change Management Programme.Managed Change Agent Network which successfully championed the delivery of key messages supporting the programme.

Immigration Casework and Training

• Feb 1991 - Aug 1998

Conducted over 80 Immigration Marriage interviews and made decisions based upon the evidence to refuse or grant leave to remain in the UK.Designed & delivered one-to-one casework training programmes for 30 new entrants.Designed and delivered classroom based IT training for over 800 staff which reduced case processing time by 30%.