9 Months Since Becky Joined Glove Consulting

It has been nine months since I joined Glove Consulting - time goes so quick! Having been self-employed for a couple of years before joining Glove, alongside extensive travel, it was good to join forces with a like-minded consultant and team of associates, with similar but complimentary expertise. I had known John Brennan through the education world for many years, so we knew that we would work together exceptionally well. The approach of Glove Consulting is in-line with my personal values, a vital part of being a successful team. We spent time discussing ideas and plans, how we could work, how we could develop our offer and bring more associates to the team. Very quickly (and after lots of coffees), we had put ideas into action.

Glove Consulting has a great reputation, impressive client list and a great team of associates with extensive experience across the sector. Working with all providers from primary school through to further education, enables us to share good practice throughout, and support multi academy trusts in a cohesive way. John Brennan and his team have worked with providers across the country and have evolved over the years. Glove Marketing and Glove Consulting, enable us to offer a wrap around service.

We have worked on a number of very exciting and different projects, alongside the more routine work that is always in demand. We have supported a multi academy trust apply for a new free school, guided a multi academy trust through communications during a merger, secured external funding for a number of providers and completed a marketing audits and strategic plans. Whilst routine work is always in demand, our approach to ensure that every piece of work is specific for the client, means that every audit report, new website, prospectus, training programme and review, looks very different each time.

There are a number of projects that I am currently working on; RSHE training programme (as below), merger communication support, bid writing, award applications, marketing audit, strategic planning, website update and PR. Some of our clients have specific and challenging issues such as a reduction in student numbers, others are performing very well in all areas but need additional support to further improve. Others do not want to employ marketing specialists, but acknowledge that they need to buy-in this support.

Building new relationships is exciting. It is great to meet new people, understand their challenges and go on to support them and see the impact that we make. I am working with some clients on a retainer basis and others on set projects, although we mainly secure clients long term, and this means we get to know them and their needs very well. I enjoy the flexibility that being self-employed continues to offer. Being a keen runner, means I can fit training around work and equally be available evenings and weekends as clients need support and advice. It has also been great to work with former colleagues who I worked with years ago. It makes you realise that those great people and fabulous connections can come back into your professional life, and those contacts are invaluable. It is also great to continually see how former colleagues are diversifying, progressing and securing management roles.

The last three months we have been in Covid, and so our way of working has of course changed. We are meeting with clients by video call and for many, this is a new way of working. Zoom and Microsoft Teams are the new office and it shows how much time can be spent in the car driving around..... hopefully practice that will remain changed long after Covid.

We have lots of plans and projects to develop. John Brennan and I will be presenting at theSixth Form Colleges Association Summer Conference (on-line this year) in June and we look forward to meeting colleagues to discuss emerging issues and areas of focus. Topics of consideration will include T-Levels, Remote Engagement, Effective Student Pipeline Management and Student Recruitment post-Covid.