SUMS Consulting: Managing change successfully (two day training session)

Managing change successfully – the why, who, how and what of implementing change well. A two day training event for managers in HE.

EVENT DETAILS

This is a two-day training session on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October 2026, 9:30-12:30 and participants must be able to attend both dates.

This interactive, online session will help participants gain insight into ‘why’ people may react to change negatively, understand ‘how’ to create an environment for more positive engagement with change, ‘who’ plays an important role in change and focus on ‘what’ action participants can take to help themselves and others implement change successfully.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Managers within the higher education sector looking to understand how to make change a success within their institutions, whether the change is bigger change initiatives, or simply wanting to make changes within their teams. Places are limited and are FREE for SUMS Members and SUPC members. You can check if your institution is a SUMS member here and SUPC member here. If you are not a member but are interested in attending, please contact marketing@sums.ac.uk to enquire about availability and costs.

OUR COURSE FACILITATORS

Aya Ferguson, Director of Consulting, SUMS Consulting.

Aya has over 20 years working in change with the last decade supporting HEIs with transformation and change. An experienced facilitator, coach and trainer.

Pippa Wisbey, Consultant, SUMS Consulting

Pippa supports institutions through complex change by combining robust evidence gathering with practical, people-centred approaches.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FROM THE SESSIONS:

By the end of the two half day sessions participants will:

• have a solid understanding of how people react to change and what factors are important in dealing successfully with change




• understand different behaviours observed during change




• have a practical tool to help identify actions to take to to engage with change more positively




• have identified actions to ‘stop, start and continue’ to help themselves or others impacted by change, engage with change more positively




• understand that there are different approaches to supporting people through change and have detailed understanding of the ADKAR model of individual change




• be able to use ADKAR to develop a practical plan for how to successfully implement a given change with a group of stakeholders at their institution.

COURSE DETAILS:

Session 1:

• the neuroscience of change – understanding how the brain reacts to change stimuli




• Threat/ Reward – the different reactions of the brains in change situations and behaviours associated with each




• factors that influence our experience of change




• SCARF model of Social Threats and Rewards: understanding the different factors that influence threat and reward responses




• identification and discussion of actions to take to help oneself and to support others through change more easily.




• a chance to discuss practical challenges and suggestions with Strategic Planning colleagues and gain peer support.

Session 2:

• examining different models for managing and implementing change




• delve into detail of model for managing individual change (ADKAR) to use as a tool for making implementation plans for any changes participants are trying to bring about.




• understanding the different roles that make a difference in successful change (sponsors and managers), especially in communication




• a chance to discuss practical challenges and suggestions with Strategic Planning colleagues and gain peer support.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Online registrations will close at 12.30pm on Friday 25 September 2026

This session is designed for professionals working in higher education institutions. Places are limited and are FREE for SUMS Members and SUPC members. You can check if your institution is a SUMS member here and SUPC member here.

If you are not a SUMS Group member please contact us at marketing@sums.ac.uk to enquire about availability and costs.

Please 'REGISTER' above to secure your place using your ac.uk email address. Joining instructions will be sent nearer to the event.

NEED HELP?

For assistance and queries, please contact marketing@sums.ac.uk

If you’ve missed the registration deadline but would still like to attend, please get in touch with us directly at marketing@sums.ac.uk