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About me

Seasoned HR consultant and inspiring executive coach

“I believe that, with courage, passion and targeted effort, almost anything is possible. Often, the support of a compassionate, experienced guide makes all the difference. Very few of us can do it alone.”

Tania Hummel, HR consultant and executive coach

I’ve been helping people and organisations to thrive for more than 20 years, first as a senior HR specialist and more recently as HR consultant and executive coach.

Creating clarity out of confusion

Under the Thrive banner since 2014, I’m a lone ranger helping those drowning in an ocean of circumstance to clarify their options and make better choices so they can create the future they want.

I’m passionate about bringing the best out of people. I believe that, with courage, passion and targeted effort, almost anything is possible. Genes, chemistry, hormones, early experience, personal values and beliefs – all affect our worldview and behaviour. But they are not destiny.

Often, the support of a compassionate, experienced guide makes all the difference. Very few of us can do it alone. That’s where I come in as an enabler and critical friend to organisations and individuals alike.

Major change is a motif that runs through my work. I help organisations recruit, develop and motivate their people so they can achieve breakthrough performance, execute new strategies or transform ways of working. Meanwhile, I help teams and individuals change direction and results and make the most of the opportunities around them.

HR consultancy and coaching background

Most of my corporate career has been spent in senior HR roles in the publishing industry, culminating in eight years at the Macmillan Group, a $1bn-a-year business with 5,000 employees in 50 countries. As group HR director for Macmillan Publishers and then global HR director for Macmillan Science and Education, I helped the company build a modern HR function and implement far-reaching changes as it adapted to the digital era. I led a team of HR and communication practitioners and my remit extended across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Asia.

During my career, I have worked across the spectrum of HR activities from talent management to reward and from communications to HR self-service. I have particular expertise in employee relations that builds partnerships between management, staff and unions/staff representatives. I have also carved out a specialist niche in recruiting senior execs.

Over time, I found myself being asked more and more to work with senior managers to help them enhance their performance, negotiate change and conflict and develop their careers. This was the start of my journey to becoming a qualified executive coach.

My heritage is half-Swiss and half-Greek Cypriot. I like to think I combine a Teutonic liking for process and fairness with Mediterranean warmth and exuberance. I grew up in South Africa but have lived most of my working life in London. My cosmopolitan outlook means I value diversity, am broad-minded and non-judgemental and can deal thoughtfully with the challenges and issues that arise in cross-cultural settings.

               UNITAR

As well as being a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, I’m also a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce) and a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership.

In March 2018, I was appointed Senior Advisor on Leadership Development to UNITAR, the training and research arm of the United Nations, advising on content, whilst also training officials and diplomats on their behalf at events in Geneva and Marrakesh.

Qualifications and accreditations

My LinkedIn profile