Empowering individuals and organisations to thrive
Welcome to my professional space.
I am Professor Abigail Gregory, a Higher Education Consultant, Senior Adviser, and Executive Coach and Mentor.
With extensive experience as a former senior academic leader, researcher, and specialist in international education and gender equality, I work with individuals and organisations to tackle professional and leadership challenges, build capability, and create the conditions to thrive.
Drawing on a unique blend of senior leadership experience, higher education and business insight, and advanced coaching expertise, I provide tailored coaching and consultancy solutions to support you and your organisation.
Who I work with
Individuals
Senior leaders, managers and professionals seeking 1:1 executive coaching and/or mentoring to address work-based challenges, navigate career transitions and development, and optimise work-life balance.
Organisations
Universities, specialist consultancies, and businesses working B2B with higher education seeking consultancy, specialist guidance, and/or training and development.
Organisations I have worked with
What I offer
Executive Coaching AND Mentoring
Personalised solutions-focused coaching and/or mentoring to help leaders and professionals address work-based challenges, navigate career development and transitions, and optimise work-life balance.
About me
With over 30 years of experience in higher education, including nearly 15 as a senior leader, I founded my business in 2022 as a Higher Education Consultant, Advisor and Executive Coach and Mentor. My leadership journey has been shaped by a background in business, languages, and comparative sociology, and underpinned by a deep commitment to internationalisation and gender equality.
I have been Faculty Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty Head of International, Associate Dean International and Associate Head (Marketing and Recruitment) at two Manchester universities, leading strategy and operations, global partnerships, TNE and international recruitment. I have been a Department of International Trade Export Champion and was awarded an MBE for services to export in 2019.
Alongside these roles, I have published extensively on work-life balance, fatherhood, and gender equality, championing women’s career success and leading institution-wide gender equality change.
I am passionate about drawing on my deep experience of UK Higher Education, my specialist knowledge and expertise, and my core values of integrity, empathy, collaboration, continuous improvement, and equity, diversity, and inclusion, to help individuals and organisations to thrive.
CREDENTIALS
BSc (Hons) Business Administration and French, Aston University
PhD Comparative Sociology (Franco-British comparison of working patterns in large-scale grocery retailing), Aston University
PGCert Executive Coaching, Henley Business School
European Coaching and Mentoring Council accredited at Senior Practitioner Level
Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Certified Practitioner in Brain and Behaviour Change (International Teaching Seminars)
Certified Carbon Literate (Carbon Literacy Trust)
✦✦✦MBE for Services to Exports
Northern Powerhouse (Department of International Trade) Export Champion
Runner up Department of International Trade North-West China Links Awards
Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
Manchester Metropolitan University: Faculty Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor; Faculty Head of International
University of Salford: Associate Dean International; Associate Head (Marketing and Recruitment)
Trustee, Calder Valley Community Land Trust
indicative Publications
Peak Performance: Mastering Work-Life Balance for Optimal Results
LinkedIn publication for the IC Global; Co-Author: Sirin Miles.
The Benefits of Investing in Employability for International Students and University Recruitment
LinkedIn publication for Pagoda Projects.
Time for a change: women, work and gender equality in TV production
Media, Culture and Society; Co-Author: Professor Susan Milner.
Why Work With Me?
Proven expertise in higher education leadership, internationalisation and gender equality.
A qualified EMCC Accredited Executive Coach and Mentor at Senior Practitioner Level with a focus on leadership and work-based challenges, career development and transitions, and optimising work-life balance.
A tailored, solutions-focused approach designed to address individual and organisational needs.
Extensive experience advising universities, businesses, and professionals worldwide.
What My Clients Say
Advisory and Consultancy
“Abigail’s work at Pagoda was nothing short of transformational. She supported me directly in an advisory role in leading the organisation, coached members of our team, developed an academic strategy and contributed to programme design…Abigail is an exemplary leader, coach and advocate for diversity. Her legacy of fostering growth, innovation and inclusivity will continue to have a profound impact on the sector for years to come.”— Jamie Bettles, Founder Pagoda Projects
Specialist Training and Development
“Thank you very much for preparing and facilitating such a purposeful, targeted and helpful session on Friday. We had a feedback session at our Executive Board today and the feedback was unanimously positive. You met our brief so perfectly and have given us new tools to support the next phase of our growth. Everyone wanted your slides to support their development and reflection.”— Clare Schofield, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, Wolverhampton University
Executive Coaching and Mentoring
“When I think back to the early meetings and how hard I was on myself, the change is immense. Somehow, you’ve managed to help me join my head to my heart/instinct,and to value me for myself. I really have a much better sense of myself, my strengths, weaknesses and foibles. I own my achievements and, despite the ongoing challenges and ups and downs, feel far more confident and much happier.”— Helen da Silva Wood, CEO Rendez-Vous Charity