About

My name is Liz and I am the ‘team’ behind Headlands. With over 14 years’ experience across senior people roles and more recently social research, my work combines a unique blend of strategic people expertise, stakeholder engagement and rigorous inquiry. Whether you’re a small business embedding inclusive employment practices or a charity or CIC seeking to understand stakeholder impact, I tailor solutions that reflect your purpose, scale and priorities.

A different approach

I work across two strands of expertise:

• Organisational development and people support, including employment toolkits, policy design and inclusive people practices.
• Social research and evaluation, such as stakeholder engagement, project consultation, and impact reporting.

Headlands. was built to offer collaborative, accessible support – avoiding jargon and focusing on outcomes. My approach is grounded in practical experience, research rigour and a commitment to social value.

I’m a qualified HR practitioner with senior experience shaping people strategies that have been recognised by Investors in People and shortlisted for CIPD People Management awards. I’m also a postgraduate researcher exploring social infrastructure in post-industrial towns, bringing added depth and knowledge to my research and stakeholder engagement work.

Background and experience

With over a decade in senior HR roles and a growing portfolio in qualitative research, I bring cross-sector insights to every project. I’ve worked with independents, social enterprises, creative industries and charities, supporting both internal team development and external-facing evaluations.

I’ve presented research at university conferences, contributed to postgraduate teaching, and served as a trustee and Non-Executive Director, actively shaping organisational governance and strategy.

Speaking appearances

• October 2024 – Guest lecture on ‘Creative Research Methods’ and ‘Applied Research Methods’ for MA Cities programme at Liverpool John Moores University.
• June 2024 – Co-presented conference paper on ‘Engaging Students with Community Social Infrastructure in Liverpool’ at Liverpool John Moores University Students at the Heart Conference.
• June 2023 – Co-presented conference paper on ‘Real-World Impact in Research’ at Liverpool John Moores University Students at the Heart Conference.
• June 2022 – Co-presented conference paper on ‘Realising a more human city; why we need social infrastructure’ at Liverpool John Moores University APSS Faculty Conference.
• February 2022 – Cause4 Trustee of the Month online feature – available here: https://www.cause4.co.uk/blog/pick-month-february-2022
• October 2021 – Expert speaker on Diversity & Inclusion for MSc in Human Resource Management programme cohort at University of Liverpool
• June 2021 – Course contributor for Strategic Influence module on MSc in Human Resource Management programme at University of Liverpool
• May 2021 – Expert panel speaker on Strategic Influence in HR for MSc in Human Resource Management programme cohort at University of Liverpool
• February 2021-2025 – Guest lecturer on ‘Local, urban social and solidarity economies in a global health crisis; a Liverpool City Region Case Study’ for MA in Cities, Culture and Creativity programme at Liverpool John Moores University.

Qualifications and awards

• March 2024 – Associate Fellowship of Advance Higher Education (AFHEA) and SEDA Supporting Learning Award.
• February 2022 – Vice-Chancellors PhD Scholarship (Liverpool John Moores University) awarded to research community-owned social infrastructure in Northern towns.
• September 2020 – Lynda La Plante Award for Outstanding Student (Liverpool John Moores University)
• September 2018 – September 2020 – MA in Cities, Culture and Creativity with Distinction (Liverpool John Moores University)
• September 2011 – June 2012 – CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management (Wirral Metropolitan College)
• September 2006 – June 2009 – BA(Hons) in Drama with English Literature (University of Manchester)

Full CV and references available upon request.