Redefining Excellence

Vicky Hossack

Vicky has over 20 years’ experience in the Education and Voluntary Sector, holding several Senior Leadership and HR positions. She was the CEO of the University of Derby Students’ Union, a position she held for 7 years, and is a highly experienced HR Consultant, having worked with clients from across the charity and education sector. Vicky specialises in strategic HR projects including pay and benefit reviews, learning and development programmes and policy creation. She is an experienced investigator and can deliver complex employee relations casework.

Vicky is passionate about social justice and has held several non-executive roles that support these aims, acting as a trustee for many charitable organisations and as an Academy Councillor for a Multi-Academy Trust.

Vicky holds an MBA from De Montfort University and has completed her Level 7 CIPD qualification in HR Management. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

Nicola Walton

Nicola is a highly experienced Head of People and Culture and HR leader, having held senior business partnering roles for the NHS and in Further Education. She was the Head of HR for Wiltshire College and University Centre before becoming a Consultant in 2022. Nicola has continued to work within the education and charity sector since becoming a consultant, specialising in employee relations, policy development and organisational design.

Nicola holds an MA in Personnel and Development and is a chartered member of CIPD. She is a qualified and accredited workplace mediator, accredited by the Civil Mediation Council.

Jamie Stratton

Jamie has over fifteen years experience within Students’ Unions in the UK. Jamie has held several senior leadership positions across four different organisations. Jamie has been Chief Executive Officer at Union of Kingston Students and University for the Creative Arts Students’ Union for seven years. Jamie is now working as a consultant in Students’ Unions for the past three years and works to provide regular support and guidance to student leaders across the UK. His interests include pay and reward, learning and development and change management. Jamie also works as a visiting lecturer at the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, teaching across multiple modules within the BA Business Studies course accredited by University of West London.

Jamie holds a Level 7 CIPD qualification in Human Resource Management from Kingston University and has worked as an associate tutor for ICS Learn, providing support and guidance on teaching and assessment across CIPD courses.

Jane Gilchrist

Jane has over 20 years' experience of working in HR generalist roles in education, public sector and not for profit organisations and has more recently worked in interim Head of HR roles for a number of charities . Jane is qualified with a PG Diploma in Human Resources Management (CIPD Level 7), has Chartered CIPD status and is dedicated to continuing professional development, completing a range of qualifications and training in areas related to HR. Jane’s main areas of interest are HR strategy development, HR policy, employee engagement, management development, performance management, LEDI and employee wellbeing. Jane also comes with significant experience of complex employee relations issues and organisational change projects.

Jane is an experienced coach and is currently studying for her Level 5 ILM Coaching and Mentoring Certificate.

Jessica Cotgias

Jessica is a senior HR professional with over 20 years’ experience in HR. As a CIPD Chartered Fellow, Jessica has substantial senior HR experience in Higher Education and has held roles in HR and OD business partnering, equality, transformational change and service improvement across the public and private sectors. Jessica has significant experience leading Employment Relations cases and is a qualified and skilled mediator.

Jessica has expertise as a HR practitioner and as a skilled leader of people, with experience in successfully coaching and mentoring leaders to achieve their desired outcomes. Jessica applies these skills in her volunteer work as a Governor at her local comprehensive school, where she is currently Vice-Chair.

Jessica holds a level 7 CIPD qualification through her MSc in Human Resource Management. Jessica has also completed an ILM level 7 qualification in Executive and Senior Level Coaching and Mentoring. She also holds a level 4 accredited qualification in Interpersonal Mediation, a PGCE teaching qualification and a PRINCE2 project management practitioner qualification.

Samantha Springer

With over 20 years of leadership experience across various industries, Samantha brings a wealth of insight and practical expertise to organisations navigating change and growth. As a Senior Manager and consultant, she has a proven track record in mentoring leaders, fostering thought leadership, and guiding teams through complex organisational transformations

As a previous People and Development Consultant, Samantha has supported clients in shaping effective leadership practices, strengthening team capability, and embedding sustainable change that drives long-term success within the 3rd sector.