Susannah assists SUMS members and clients in having more effective conversations, forging stronger relationships, and building meaningful collaborations at work. Through insightful conversations, she helps individuals think creatively about connecting with, engaging, and leading others. Susannah guides the creation of new alliances and strategies to unite people around shared goals, adapts interpersonal skills to suit different mindsets, audiences, and situations, and teaches effective influencing techniques within and across teams through group sessions.

Susannah began her career in a corporate PR agency, going on to hold board-level roles leading large, award-winning communications teams in the NHS and for the Wellcome Trust. Since 2008, she has provided communications consultancy for FTSE 100 companies, government, universities, charities and NHS trusts. This includes over ten years supporting universities as an associate for SUMS Consulting.

Susannah qualified as a coach in 2019, and now works with Vice-Presidents, Directors, communications and marketing team leaders, academics and doctors. In 2024, she completed a PG Diploma in Coaching for Behavioural Change at Henley Business School.

How has Susannah recently supported universities?

  • University of Dundee: provided 1-1 and team coaching for senior academics and professional services staff to support collaboration around the university’s international strategy
  • St Mary’s University: coaching a head of school
  • Chairing the SUMS Consulting community of practice for Marketing and Communications Directors
  • University of Leicester, University of Dundee and QMUL: conducting SUMS benchmarking studies of the structures and resourcing of university communications, marketing and recruitment functions.

Outside of work, Susannah manages an amateur women’s football team and the diaries of two teenagers!

Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn