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 Smith
I have over 10 years’ experience as an HR professional and love the challenge and variety that comes with working with people.
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.
People & Development Consultant
Luisa Bater
With a breadth of strategic HR experience in a variety of industries, I am a dedicated professional who thrives on problem-solving and empowering stakeholders. I am passionate about driving positive, efficient change and fostering collaborative relationships that promote growth and success for all.
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I love the variety of work that consultancy allows and the opportunity to constantly learn.
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Away from the office, I enjoy having quality time with my family, which usually involves a competitive game of Uno!
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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.
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Senior HR 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.
HR Coordinator
Anh Ly
I worked at the NUS before I took a career break to have my children. I have a background of HR and administration and have always worked in the charity and voluntary sector.
I am excited to work on a variety of different projects and I look forward to supporting clients to make positive changes.
I have a household of boys so I am an expert referee and I love all things cake and desserts.
HR 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
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!
Business Development Manager
AO Roberts
As a business development specialist with more than 5 years of experience, I thrive on the opportunities to meet new people and find dynamic solutions to fit their organisations’ goals.
I am passionate about becoming an expert in our partners’ organisations so that we can deliver the tailored support they need to become incredible places to work and to empower them to maximise their impact.
When not at work, I will likely be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen or watching/playing football. I am at my happiest when Hibernian FC win – I only wish this was more often.
Our Associate Network
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.
Marceline Lindsay
With over 20 years' experience in HR and Employment Law, Marceline brings a wealth of knowledge from advising major employers and senior executives across a variety of industries such as care, manufacturing and engineering.
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Marceline holds a Masters in Employment Law, a Diploma in personal performance coaching and is an Advisory Board member.
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Her focus is on supporting with complex HR issues.
Dr. Thomas Flynn
Tom is an experienced leader within the Education sector, having held two CEO positions in large students' unions, and is currently COO within a large Multi-Academy Trust.
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Tom also holds an MSc in Charity Accounting and Financial Management and is a Trustee at The Albert Kennedy Trust.
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Tom's focus is on governance and strategy development in the Voluntary Sector.
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Dr Robert Partridge
Robert joined The University of Glasgow in the new role of Executive Director of Student and Academic Services in January 2018. Previously, he was responsible for student opportunity at The University of Leeds and was one of two directors of the unitary Student Education Service.
Robert was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by the UK Higher Education Academy in recognition of his innovative work to enhance student employability.
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Robert’s focus is on student health and wellbeing, transnational education, careers, employability and enterprise.
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Liz Jewell
Liz has had a rich and varied career, with over 20 years’ experience in leadership roles, initially in education and then leading two award winning charitable organisations.
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Liz holds a MA in Consulting and leading in organisations: psychodynamic and systemic approaches, a ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors and is an Accredited (EIA) Practitioner.
Liz’s’ focus for Atkinson HR Consulting is on Executive and Senior Leadership coaching and mentoring.
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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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Lubna Taj Malik
Lubna has over 10 years' experience of working at an executive leadership level in HR and strongly believes that people are most important to the success of any business.
Qualified to CIPD Level 7, Lubna also has specialist experience in a range of areas including, Employee Relations, Industrial Relations, HR Strategy and Policy, Organisational Development and Design, Coaching & Training, Workforce Planning and Pay & Reward.
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Lubna's career spans across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors in Management Consultancy, Audit and HR. She builds trusted relationships with the organisations she works with and aims to add value whilst achieving successful outcomes for clients.
Grishma Bijukumar
Grishma brings a wealth of experience in driving organisational success through strategic people management. 
Grishma has a proven track record of aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, influencing overall business strategy, and building trusted relationships with key stakeholders. 
Grishma is CIPD Level 7 qualified, with a specialised skill set in Coaching, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Training Learning and Development, Policy, and Employee Relations.
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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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Jim Gardner
Jim has 30 years' leadership experience, with 20 years as a charity chief executive. Jim's most recent role was Director of People for Royal Voluntary Service, a large national charity with over 50,000 volunteers; he has also served as interim chief executive of 4 charities.
Jim has a BA from Southampton University, an MBA from the University of Kent, an ILM coaching certificate and is registered with the British Psychological Society to conduct occupational ability/personality testing. Jim has served in a variety of non-exec roles, including as a Chair of Governors, non-exec director and trustee of a national charity.
Jim focuses on interim management, governance consultancy projects and exec coaching.
Victoria Dickinson
Victoria is a dedicated volunteer specialist with 30 years of experience working with a variety of organisations, from large charities to smaller grass-roots community action groups.
Her passion is volunteering, and she is continuously seeking innovative ways to harness the commitment and dedication volunteers give to support organisations in a complex environment.
She enjoys working collaboratively with organisations to seek solutions to challenges and provide advice on strategic direction.
Victoria's other passion is her garden. She enjoys spending time pottering around, then sitting in the sunshine enjoying the fruits of her labour.
Vic Langer
With over 20 years’ of strategic leadership experience, Vic has largely worked in the nonprofit sector.
She has done a number of interim CEO roles in small charities, has been the Strategy Director at a large international NGO and has led campaigning, digital mobilisation and advocacy functions in a wide range of organisations.
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Vic is the Chair of the New Economy Organising Network, a trustee at working-class youth organisation RECLAIM and on the board of the National Union of Students UK.
Vic’s focus is interim management, strategy development, organisational transformation and change management.
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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Anna 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