Meet the team

I lead and manage a team of nine staff who support and deliver all of our services. I am responsible for a broad portfolio of learning and development courses and programmes, one-to-one support, mandatory training, online resources plus other services and am accountable to Senior Management for the effective planning and delivery of this portfolio. I also work with senior colleagues to plan our strategic approach to learning and development for all staff roles including key initiatives such as Exeter Academic, Exeter Professional and Exeter Leader. I Chair the Researcher Concordat Steering Group and am closely involved with work to support our Technician's Commitment. I sit on the GW4 Staff Development Working Group and Chair the South Wales & South West of England Region Staff Development Group.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have a background in science research and education along with two decades of experience in vocational qualifications (VQs), information technology and management development. I am an accredited VQ Assessor, Verifier, Mentor, Tutor and ESCI 360 Coach and hold qualifications in operational management and event facilitation. 

Areas of expertise: leadership and management, structured professional and career development; vocational qualifications and accreditation; e-learning; coaching and mentoring

I support the development and delivery of the Exeter Academic Programme, tying together a wealth of Academic development opportunities across education, research and leadership development. As a key contact for Educators, Programmes, Disciplines and Colleges within this area, I work across People Development, Academic Development and Research Development to provide tailored support to help Academics achieve personal and professional goals and ambitions.

I am a Fellow of the HEA and have many years’ experience within Higher Education, supporting the development of teaching and learning.

Areas of expertise: Academic Development, eLearning, Leadership and Management development, management qualifications, Innovation, Research-informed practice.

I coordinate and lead on the policy for, and delivery of, Mandatory training, Onboarding and Induction, Performance and Development Reviews (PDRs) and am the lead for the University’s staff e-learning system LearnUpon. I also currently oversee much of the Personal and Professional Development Portfolio and collaborate on courses delivered by both internal University departments, as well as working with external delivery partners. I deliver training on several areas such as mentoring and coaching, PDRs, career management, as well as offering numerous sessions covering key work related topics.

Areas of expertise: Mandatory training, LearnUpon, learning needs analysis, PDRs, mentor training, training and learning delivery, course design, evaluation, programme design, team development and consultancy relating to the wider People Development portfolio. I hold two PGCEs and a Masters in Education.

Armed Forces Covenant Champion: Additionally I am a veteran (Army: Educational and Training Services Branch) and am happy to talk to anyone from the service community, find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.
Part time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (9.30am – 2.30pm)

My role as Learning & Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the University Apprenticeship Programmes for staff in addition to coaching and mentoring at the institution, this includes supporting this area of work within Exeter Professional. Alongside my fellow Learning & Development Managers this post also leads on the development and facilitation of staff training related to the Personal Effectiveness portfolio and beyond. My role also supports the Technicians Commitment.

I have extensive experience within the HE sector in addition to more recently across the private sector working as a Business Coach/Trainer/Consultant.

My HE experience spans across project & people management within student facing services, specifically within the careers/employability, training and the global mobility field.

I have experience within training development and delivery across a portfolio of subjects ranging from personal effectiveness, careers and employability topics and business start-up (personal development and business training). I hold specific experience across gender specific and tailored training for personal development and growth.

Full-time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

I am involved in Apprenticeships, The Research Concordat and Exeter Professional. I also sit on the Technician Commitment working group.

Part time: Monday and Friday

Connect with me on LinkedIn

As Digital Skills Lead, I lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive digital skills programme for all university staff, students and external learners.

As a passionate advocate for digital literacy, and along with my co-lead Katie Steen, I aim to create a robust, scalable digital upskilling model that places the University of Exeter as a hub for digital skills development.

Areas of expertise: Digital upskilling, edtech and AI in organisational development, learning and development.

Full Time: Monday-Friday

Alongside my co-lead, David Weller, we are developing the University's approach towards upskilling all students and staff in digital literacy; supporting people to be able to learn new digital skills and knowledge in order to enhance their personal and professional lives.

I am an Associate Fellow of HEA and have worked at the University of Exeter for several years in the areas of online programme development, executive education and digital upskilling.

Prior to working at the University, I was an international videographer for fifteen years, producing social and educational documentaries for charities and the private sector.

Areas of expertise: Video production (filming/ producing/ editing), presenting, online programme development, digital upskilling

Full time: Tuesday - Friday

I am the Team Leader for the People Development Events & Administration team.  I have oversight of the work of the administrative team and am responsible for learning and development data, support for Learning & Development Managers, bespoke events and I also have oversight on budget monitoring and contracts for external suppliers. 

Part time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (09:30 - 14:30)

I am the administrative contact for the People Development Events team, supporting all the administrative functions required for our programme of courses.  I provide support for the People Development IT systems (e.g., LearnUpon and iTrent) and have day to day responsibility for the People Development finances through T1.

Full-time: Monday - Friday 

James provides administrative support to Exeter Academic as well as supporting other Learning and Development activities.

Part time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

I assist with the administration and delivery of the People Development learning events and respond to general enquiries received by the team.

Full time hours, Monday to Friday. (currently on maternity leave)