As the year draws to a close and the Christmas lights start appearing in windows, I have found myself looking back on what has been my first full year as an independent consultant. It has been a year of learning, building, experimenting, and, most of all, gratitude. If you had told me twelve months ago what this year would hold, I would not have believed you.
Working independently has given me something I had been craving for a long time, a sense of alignment between what I care about and what I spend my time doing. I have been able to support organisations that want to make better use of their data, strengthen their compliance, and take their first steps into using Power BI, and I have been able to do it in a way that feels personal and genuinely collaborative. Every project has been a reminder that the higher education sector is full of people who care deeply about doing things well, even in the face of limited time, tight resource, and constant change.
There have been moments of challenge too, as there always are when you work for yourself. Balancing multiple projects, keeping up with the rapid pace of change in the sector, and tackling the less glamorous parts of running a business have all played their part. But each challenge has also brought knowledge that I would not have gained otherwise, and with it a growing confidence about what I can offer.
Looking back, certain things stand out.
• The conversations with colleagues, clients, and peers who share a commitment to improving data and digital capability.
• The opportunities to deliver training, develop resources, and support teams who want to build their confidence with data.
• The satisfaction of seeing projects move from ideas to implementation, whether that is shaping a data process, improving compliance workflows, or helping people rethink how they use technology.
• The reminder that small steps, taken consistently, can create meaningful change.
Christmas is always a natural pause, a moment to take stock before the new year begins. For me, it brings a sense of appreciation for the people I have had the chance to work with, and the trust they have placed in me. Independent consulting can sometimes feel like a solitary path, but this year has shown me how much community and connection sit at the heart of the work.
Looking ahead to the new year, I am excited about what is coming. The pace of change in the sector and technology is not slowing down, and neither is the need for thoughtful, practical, human centred support. I am already planning new workshops, refining existing materials, and exploring ways to make my services even more useful to the organisations I work with. Most importantly, I am going into the new year with a clearer sense of purpose than I have felt in a long time.
So as I wrap up my final bits of work for the year and start thinking about mince pies, Christmas films, and time with family, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. To clients, collaborators, and everyone who has engaged with my work, your support has made this year what it is.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas, a well earned rest, and a hopeful start to the new year.
