Testimonials
Vikki led our professional services and operations for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health for three years, working in partnership with me. During that time she steered the development and implementation of our Strategic Framework and five-year plan, including constant adaptation and refinement through the pandemic.
She led her professional services team exceptionally throughout that period, ensuring that priorities were supported, targets met and that there was flexibility to deliver effectively. She also led major change to our Marketing and Communications, Technical Services, Planning and Governance, and Teaching, Learning and Student Experience teams.
Vikki is a people-focussed and results-driven individual, who has made a very significant impact on our Faculty. A natural communicator, she also enables others to develop and thrive. She is a strong strategic thinker and this has been a major factor in the continuing success of our Faculty
Professor Graham Lord
Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester
Vikki possesses that rare quality of being able to untangle and blend differential thinking into a coherent strategy with clear routes to execution. Her ability to support leaders from diverse professional backgrounds to articulate their vision into a clear strategy with key performance indicators and milestone plans is second to none. Whether it is target operating model design and route to delivery, the change management needed to support the business process and people change during system implementation, or leadership coaching to articulate vision and executable plans I would not hesitate to recommend Vikki. If you are looking for someone to bring clarity of messaging and direction to your organisation, irrespective of the driver, a discussion with Vikki will be transformational.
Sinead MacCormack
CFO Medicine Discovery Catapult (previously Head of Finance, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester)
Vikki and I worked together in the senior leadership team at the University of Salford for several years. During this period Vikki as Registrar and COO led significant change in order to move the university forward. This change involved leading with others the development of a new University Strategy. To enable this to be implemented Vikki the led on substantial redesign of the professional service areas. Additionally, Vikki also led engagement with a range of external partners to build new relationships and to rejuvenate existing ones in the context of the new strategic plan. This work was important in repositioning the University in its current “Industry Relationship” space which has proved very positive for the University of Salford.
Professor Helen Marshall
Vice Chancellor, University of Salford
We have worked with Vikki all the time she is been in post as the Director of Faculty Operations at the University of Manchester. We have found Vikki has been responsive and helped to strengthen our relationship as internal auditors with staff within the faculties. One good example of this has been the setting up of a faculty audit oversight group within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health which Vikki instigated. This has helped to raise the profile of internal audit, significantly improved communication and led to more timely completion of reviews and follow up of any outstanding recommendations.
Vikki understands the University and helps to direct and support our work to ensure our internal audit work focuses on areas where we can add the most value. When issues are identified from our reviews, Vikki is supportive in ensuring appropriate actions are taken and followed up and addressed. This support has been invaluable in making our work as the University’s internal auditors as efficient and effective as possible.
Sue Suchoparek and Richard Young
UNIAC (Internal Auditors)
Vikki is a highly experienced manager and leader, who has worked in the Higher Education sector for a little under 30 years. For the last four of those, she has been a member of my senior leadership team as a Director of Faculty Operations – and we also worked together more than a decade ago when she was Director of Planning and I was COO at the University of Liverpool.
Vikki leads from the front with passion, energy and commitment for everything she does, but also with a personal and pragmatic style, a willingness to discuss and tackle issues from which others might shy away, and a welcome sense of humour!
Vikki has made a real difference in the two Faculties where she has led Professional Services at Manchester. She has developed strategy, plans, led and managed change and driven continuous improvement in the way PS works.
On a personal level, I have greatly valued Vikki’s advice, expertise and support, throughout my time at both Liverpool and Manchester. I also much appreciate the work she has put into championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across Manchester’s Professional Services.
Patrick Hackett
Registrar, Secretary & Chief Operating Officer, The University of Manchester.