About

I am a member of our Senior Leadership Team for the Centre of Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism, an Accredited International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) within the University of Derby. I have lead responsibility for our international profile, the growth and success of our UK, EU and International student recruitment, and the strategic direction of our global validated and franchised provision through our valued collaborative and academic partners. We have academic expertise and programmes in the key areas of International Hospitality, International Tourism, and Event Management.

My key responsibilities include: Marketing and recruitment (overseas); strategic growth and ongoing collaborations with our academic and industry partners; business development; curriculum portfolio planning and alignment to industry need; postgraduate and undergraduate teaching in the specialist areas of strategic management and intelligent marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, emotional intelligence, interpersonal and corporate communication. 

Teaching responsibilities

I have over 12 years of experience as a programme leader and senior lecturer responsible for new curriculum design, validation and delivery in the specialist areas of strategic management and intelligent marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, emotional intelligence, interpersonal and corporate communication. I have achieved HEA Fellowship in recognition of my teaching excellence.

Research interests

I have worked with individuals and teams representing private and public sector organisations, including some of the greatest Michelin Star restaurants in the country, with a specific focus on the achievement of excellence in customer service. My current research interests fall within the growth and direction of transnational education. 

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): I completed my MBA at Loughborough University in 2010 where I specialised my area of research in emotional intelligence within the high-end service led hospitality sector. As part of my MBA, I attended the European Summer School for Advanced Management (ESSAM) in Denmark, where I led an international consultancy team to win first prize for the applied international business innovation project, as well as being awarded with best innovation project in the UK.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE): I completed my PGCHE at Nottingham Trent University where I focused my research on the development of a spiral curriculum to advance teaching and learning strategies.

• BSc (Hons) Sport Science and Management: I completed my Undergraduate study at Nottingham Trent University where I focused my independent study on leadership and management; this study was awarded with the title of best dissertation of the year by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (now known as the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) for my year of graduation.

Experience in industry

As a highly experienced academic, executive coach, management trainer and consultant, and an internationally licensed master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, I bring my unique insight, expertise and associated skill set to the benefit of our University partners and students.

I started my career in industry managing leisure facilities, before moving on to develop leisure, event and resource strategies and associated implementation plans for Gedling Borough Council. From there, I moved to join the Youth Sport Trust where I was responsible for managing their national continued professional development (CPD) programme and associated partnerships and events.

I started my academic career at Nottingham Trent University where I spent 12 years developing my expertise, progressing my career and leading on the commercial and employability agendas.

With a keen interest in leadership, communication and entrepreneurship, I decided to start my first business 6 years ago whilst on maternity leave with my first child, providing unique and accredited services through corporate training and executive coaching designed to optimise the performance of people, with a specific focus on business strategy, leadership, team dynamics, improved wellbeing and resilience. I delivered these services cross sector and to board level. 

I started my second business 5 years ago, a wellbeing centre, offering corporate and community wellbeing services, before deciding to sell my shares and re-enter academia in my current role as Markets, Recruitment and Partnerships Lead in 2018.

International experience

I have previous experience of international study and consultancy work and in my current role, have international responsibility for the strategic development and direction of the work we do with our global academic partners and industry network.

Additional interests and activities

• Finding and enjoying high levels of hospitality, service and cuisine
• Fun activities with my family  
• Running and sporting challenges
• The Theatre