Early in my career, I worked in some teams where we felt anything was possible, enjoyed our work and got great results!

In other teams, I approached my work with barely-disguised dread, trying to keep my head down and survive from one week to the next.

What makes that difference? Back then, I instinctively believed that leadership skills, effective relationships and team culture were critical ingredients for success and fulfilment at work.

Research since then across all sectors has proven this to be true. I now use my 30 years of learning, academic research and leadership experience to show business owners, entrepreneurs, managers and leaders how to create and develop the most healthy work culture possible.

I worked for several years as an operational and project manager in the healthcare sector including the NHS, Siemens in Germany and a social marketing agency in Brussels.

I later moved to an academic role at the University of Birmingham, training leaders and managers nationally and internationally. I combined this with consultancy and post-graduate teaching and completed a PhD at Warwick Medical School.

Based in Sheffield, I have run my consultancy business since 2004. I’m a visiting specialist faculty member with several universities and work with a network of expert associates. I work with companies and organisations of all sizes, from start-ups and small businesses to those employing 1000s of people.

I have 3 grown-up children, 1 cockerel, 6 hens, 1 spaniel, 3 bikes, 1 well-worn pair of hiking boots and several pairs of shoes for the dancefloor.

I work on a voluntary basis with MumsUnited charity - a multi-cultural and socio-economically diverse group of mums tackling youth violence and child drug exploitation. I am learning stand-up comedy to release my inner joker .. but so far all it’s released is some pent-up stress and a bit of trapped wind :-)