Our people
are our
product
That's why we choose our team carefully to make sure that they share our values and commitment to delivering excellence for our clients.
Our Team
Managing Director
Graham Atkinson
I was a co-founder of Atkinson HR in 2017 after working for most of my career in the Voluntary and Higher Education sectors. My last employed job was as HR Director for the National Union of Students. 
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I love getting to work with new organisations in different sectors and learning about their ways of working.
It’s a big motivator, for me, getting to figure out how we add value to our clients and help them to have an even bigger impact through their work.
Operations Director
Laura Atkinson
I’m one of the co-founders of Atkinson HR, taking on an active role in the business in 2018 after returning to work after having my second child.
My early career roles were centred around customer service and support, then compliance and performance management.
I am responsible for managing our internal operations and business systems, as well as finance. I also oversee our Centre of Excellence for Employee Relations.
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Life outside of work revolves around a household of boys and a never-ending list of DIY jobs!
Senior People & Development Consultant
Emily Shaw
I have over 10 years’ experience as an HR professional and love the challenge and variety that comes with working with people.
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I am passionate about taking an approach that is truly people focused and to 'doing the right thing'. I enjoy supporting organisations to define and deliver transformational people strategies, centred around staff engagement.
When I'm not at work, I spend most of my time running around after my young daughters and then enjoying a post-bedtime glass of wine.
Senior People & Development Consultant
Sarah Ellis
The majority of my career centres around students’ unions with a range of roles from being a sabbatical officer, to spending 8 ½ years as a CEO.
My passion has always been with people, and making organisations the best places they can be to work; it’s a joy to see teams develop through empowerment and support. I’m privileged to be able to support other organisations to do this through my role at Atkinson HR.
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A self confessed crazy cat lady, in my spare time I love travelling, strength training, and relaxing with a good glass of wine. ​​​
People & Development Consultant
Lou Chiu
I have had a wiggly career within education before setting up my consultancy and coaching practice in 2019.
Since then, I’ve helped individuals, teams, and organisations have meaningful conversations about identity and key relationships. I love seeing clients build the skills and confidence to create safer, purpose-driven spaces. I’m excited to bring my expertise in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practices to Atkinson HR.
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Outside of work, I'm a generalist geek. You'll find me gaming, seeing shows, or researching and practising my latest hyperfixation.
People & Development Consultant
Matilda Swanson
I’m an award winning HR professional with both consultancy and in-house experience.
I’ve worked with a variety of organisations, helping with all areas of hr including strategy, operations and compliance.​ I consider myself a coach, advisor and partner to business leaders. I enjoy getting to know each of my clients, helping them achieve their aims.
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When I’m not in work, I’m usually wondering if it’s too late for coffee or too early for wine.
Senior Operations Coordinator
Sannah Khan
Before joining Atkinson HR, I worked at the Citizens Advice service where I specialised in employment advice and worked on a variety of research campaigns to drive positive changes within the local areas.
As HR Coordinator, I really enjoy the variety of different projects I am able to be a part of whilst building a network of great clients! My favourite part is the end of a project where we can see the positive changes our work has made.
When I’m not working, I’m usually found running around after my two little boys or doing some voluntary work in the local community.
Operations Coordinator
Nida Ashraf
I joined the AHR team in June 2024, having worked within various HR and Recruitment related roles in the past. I recently completed my Masters degree in HRM to further broaden my knowledge on the subject.
I am passionate about enacting positive change through building strong client relationships that are based on honesty, transparency and open communication.
Life outside work is centred on my family, mostly spending quality time with my 3-year-old son or trying out new food places with my husband.
Operations Coordinator
Ellen Liptrot
Before joining Atkinson HR, I worked in the charity, public and higher education sectors, where I developed a passion for community-based approaches to creating meaningful change.
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As a trained social scientist, I’m curious about how people connect, what motivates us, and how those dynamics shape organisational culture. I’m especially interested in how organisations can co-create environments that reflect shared values and foster authentic connection.
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I have a personal interest in social and cultural anthropology, migration, education and intersectional feminism. Outside work, I enjoy exploring new places, being creative, and spending quality time with my family.
Operations Coordinator
Kate Mitchell
Since finishing University I’ve worked in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. I have a passion for helping people to achieve their best work and creating a culture and working environment that people love. 
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I’ve spent the last 7 years working in project and operations roles within People teams. I enjoy working as an Operations Coordinator to help streamline processes and procedures and to see the positive impact these changes can make. 
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In my spare time, when I’m not running about after my little girl, I’m usually dreaming about my next holiday!
Operations Coordinator
Claire Sanders
I have a background across the private, public and non-profit sectors, with a career centred around communication, client relationships, collaboration and delivery. After many years in marketing, I took voluntary redundancy, travelled and freelanced before finding my way into coaching and the charity world. More recently, I’ve focused on project coordination and partnership working, collaborating with organisations including Mind, Age UK and local VCSE organisations. I’m passionate about people, psychology and wellbeing.
Outside work, I love beach walks in Cornwall, dancing, travel, discovering new eateries and spending time with cats.
Our Associate Network
Bethany Rodgers
Bethany is a senior HR and Organisational Development leader with extensive experience working at executive level across higher education, charity and commercial sectors. Alongside a Director of People role, she is founder of Human-Centred Horizons, providing consultancy, coaching and facilitation to leaders and organisations.
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A Chartered CIPD member and Chartered Manager, Bethany is also a qualified coach and mediator, with accreditations across a range of psychometric tools.
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Bethany's areas of focus include leadership development; organisational design; culture and values; workforce planning; employee engagement; wellbeing; and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Matt Robinson
Matt has 25 years of leadership experience in membership and non-profit organisations. Most recently working as the CEO of Manchester Metropolitan Students' Union.
A Psychology graduate of the University of the West of England, he studied his MBA at Liverpool John Moore’s University. He uses curiosity and expertise to help clients create positive spaces for problem-solving and decision-making.
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Matt's focus include facilitation; training design; charity governance; creative design thinking; strategic and business planning; Gallup Strengths Coaching; and action learning.
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Lindsey Lockey
Lindsey is a senior leader with more than 20 years' experience in senior leadership, including 16 years as a strategic HR lead across change, growth, restructure and complex people issues.
Having been Chief Executive of Newcastle University Students' Union, a large and complex charity with a turnover in excess of £8m, she understands the reality of leading with responsibility for people, finance, risk, reputation and organisational performance.
As a consultant, she brings a practical and people-centred approach, understanding the pressure of difficult decisions and balancing staff needs with financial reality.
Lindsey's areas of focus include HR strategy and employee relations; pay review and role evaluation; staff engagement and culture change; organisational restructure; and senior team development.
Sam Harris
Sam has spent over 15 years working across students' unions and the charity sector in talent development and movement building.
Following over 10 years at NUS Charity where Sam was Deputy CEO, she is now working as an Interim CEO and Organisational Development Consultant in the charity sector.
Sam is also a member of the board for Pregnant Then Screwed and Chair of Suffolk Students’ Union.
Allegra Stone
Allegra is an experienced workplace mediator, writer, and coaching psychologist with over 20 years’ experience supporting leaders and teams across the charity, private, and creative sectors.
She specialises in resolving complex workplace relationship issues and helping individuals rebuild trust, confidence, and communication through psychologically informed dialogue.
A CIPD- and EMCC-accredited practitioner, Allegra holds three postgraduate qualifications, including an ILM Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring.
She is also the author of six books on empowerment, confidence, and managing emotions, and is recognised as one of the UK’s leading voices in Coaching Psychology.
Anna Sawlani
Anna is a People Development Professional, working in the Student Union sector. She is passionate about thinking outside of the ‘HR box’, and focusing on the holistic experience people have at work.
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She is your classic ‘people person’ and loves nothing more than looking for ways to support and develop people to achieve their goals and thrive.
Anna is a Lumina Spark practitioner, and believes strongly in the power that awareness and understanding of personality has on building high performing teams.
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Anna’s focus is on Lumina Spark, Training and Development, staff wellbeing, coaching, EDI, and recruitment
Antonia Frezza
Antonia is an organisational development specialist and full Chartered CIPD member, with a Masters in Voluntary Sector Management from Bayes Business School.
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She spent many years as Director of People & Culture at Leeds University Union, and has since taken on a range of interim leadership and project-based assignments.
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Antonia's areas of focus include organisational development; complex employment cases; organisational restructure; and people and culture strategy.
Ceri Davies
Ceri began his career in the voluntary sector in the YMCA in several senior roles, including as National Programme Director. He moved into the students' union sector as Union Director at De Montfort SU, and then served as CEO at Nottingham Trent SU.
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He is a nationally qualified Youth and Community worker and has an MBA from Loughborough University.
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Ceri's focus is on governance, strategy and interim projects.
Clare Clifton
Clare is a senior leader with more than 25 years' experience across the charity sector, specialising in HR, organisational development, governance and strategic leadership. She is currently part-time CEO of a Sheffield-based health charity.
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Alongside her executive work, Clare practises as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, supporting clients experiencing stress, burnout and anxiety.
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Clare's areas of focus include leadership development; people management and strategy; board and governance effectiveness; organisational change; and workplace culture and wellbeing.
Louise Herriman
Louise has a 16-year career in the voluntary sector as a high performing leader and manager, with wide ranging experience within Community Engagement and Operational and Strategic Service delivery.
She has successfully taken teams through times of significant HR change. 
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She also holds a CMI Level 7 Leadership Coaching and Mentoring qualification and is Vice Chair on a School Governing Board. 
Louise has a focus on leadership, management, and recruitment. 
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Lubna Taj Malik
Lubna is an HR and Organisational Development consultant with extensive experience advising senior leaders, boards and executive teams across the public, private and third sectors. Prior to consultancy, she held senior executive roles including Group Director of People.
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CIPD Level 7 qualified, Lubna also holds a Postgraduate qualification in Strategic HR Management, a Diploma in Employment Law, and is a qualified ILM Level 7 Executive Coach and Mentor. She is a board member within the housing sector.
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Lubna's areas of focus include complex employee relations; organisational design and restructure; people strategy and transformation; employment law; governance; leadership development; and executive coaching and mentoring.
Victoria Dickinson
Victoria is a volunteering specialist with over 30 years' experience helping charities and not-for-profit organisations build strong, sustainable volunteer programmes. She has held senior leadership roles at Barnardo's, The Ramblers, Blind Veterans UK and Alzheimer's Society.
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Combining strategic thinking with practical experience, Victoria works with trustees and senior leaders to strengthen governance, shape volunteering strategy and embed volunteer programmes effectively within organisational life.
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Victoria's areas of focus include volunteering strategy; programme reviews; governance and trustee development; policy development; investigation and dispute resolution; and change management.
Rob Drury
Rob has spent a career in and around human resources, with experience at operational and strategic levels. He's worked in administrative and generalist roles, EDI and project management as well as consulting on a range of people projects, including restructures, department reviews and policy development.
He has experience within the UK charity and university landscapes, and is currently based in Canada working with a Calgary-based non-profit.
Rob is educated to Master's level, and is an Associate Member of the CIPD. With a curious mindset, he works at his best when simplifying people processes, getting to the root of sticky problems, and making sure that an organisation's people can do the things they do best.
Rob's focus includes supporting operational activities, reviewing processes and departments, conducting focus groups, policy review and development and conducting assessments.