Gretel’s skills, knowledge and abilities are valuable in shaping a culture of continuous improvement for SUMS members and clients. Using emotional intelligence, natural curiosity, a flexible/creative approach, and practical experience, she can support teams and individuals in process improvement and cultural change.
Gretel’s interest in people and culture stemmed from the human resource management roles she held in manufacturing. She facilitated and lead on the introduction of continuous improvement tools and techniques in two manufacturing organisations. After moving into higher education Gretel was able to translate what she learned and gradually moved away from the people management side into continuous improvement, change and culture.
Gretel developed a continuous improvement approach for a university engaging over 1000 people over a two-year period. She is able to shape local improvements where system investments are not possible, and these yield the greatest impact and engagement with people.
How has Gretel recently supported universities?
- University of Hertfordshire: strategic culture review
- University of Leicester: eliciting shared core values for a new school
- UWE: defining the configuration and components for business change capability
- University of St Andrews: leading a workstream to develop core values to contribute towards a strategy and vision for a new business school.
Outside of professional work, Gretel enjoys playing in a guitar ensemble, plays bass guitar in a band, dances swing jive and enjoys open water swimming.