Consulting Team

Alison joined SUMS Consulting as a Principal Consultant in 2013, following a career leading large and complex professional service departments supporting the student experience and academic business of universities.  She left her full-time role in 2018 but continues to provide services as an Associate Consultant

Alison worked in the higher education sector for over 30 years and before joining SUMS was Academic Registrar of the University of Bath where she led a number of change programmes including the reorganisation of Faculty administration.  This gained her a shortlisting for the Times Higher Leadership and Management award in 2011.

Alison thrives on understanding the problems of clients, developing strong long-standing relationships and networks and finding creative solutions. Her in depth knowledge of the role of academic registry and student support activities has proven to be of great value to members looking to make improvements in their student lifecycles, from application to alumni.

As well as her consultancy services, Alison is also a qualified coach and provides support to senior managers across the sector including a long-standing programme with the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford.

Alison is an avid nature and wildlife photographer travelling to far-flung corners of the globe to take pictures.  She is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and has recently gained an MA (Photography) with distinction.