For the past few years of my career, I've been a contractor. My role was simple: parachute into a project, tackle a specific problem, and get the job done. I've been lucky enough to work with brilliant teams across public and private sectors, from startups to government agencies. And honestly? I've loved it.
But over the past couple of years, something shifted for me. I often found myself walking away from a project just as the work was getting interesting. The research was complete, the insights were clear, but the teams were left without the structure or support to act on those recommendations.
That's why over the next year I'm making the move from contractor to consultancy. This isn't just about a new title; it's about building a practice that reflects how I actually like to work. It’s about diving deep, partnering with teams, and ensuring that research doesn't just get delivered, it lands and sticks.
The Realisations That Led Me Here
I've been fortunate to work on some incredible projects, and through them, I've had three major realisations that are driving this change:
Too much research gets wasted. I’ve seen it time and again: reports gathering digital dust, decks that are never opened, and insights that teams politely acknowledge but never use. My ghost is haunting so many Confluence pages. It's a frustrating waste of time and money, and it's a problem that can be fixed.
Teams need more than just "a researcher." A single researcher dropped into a project can only do so much. Sometimes the real challenge is helping a team uncover a problem from scratch. Other times, it's about helping a team grow their own research skills. What's needed is a partner, not just a pair of hands.
I want to grow, not just deliver. My impact has often been tied to a single project's scope, but I often find myself spread across multiple projects. As a consultant, I can help organisations at a much bigger level: spotting patterns across teams, shaping strategy with evidence, and helping leadership see how research truly drives outcomes. I want to multiply the value of research.
That's the opportunity I see now.
My New Offerings: Services Built to Solve Your Problems
I've taken the most common pain points I've seen and turned them into a set of services. You can explore them in more detail on my new services page, but here's a brief look at what I'm offering:
The UX & User Research Audit: Many organisations are sitting on a mountain of research data they don’t know how to use. My audit helps you make sense of it all—identifying gaps, connecting the dots, and giving you an actionable plan.
The Product Discovery Sprint: Starting a new project can be a gamble. This service is a quick, intensive way to validate your ideas with real users before you invest time and money building the wrong thing.
Fractional Head of Research: Not every organisation can justify a permanent Head of Research. But many need that leadership: someone who can mentor researchers, set standards, advocate at leadership level, and make sure insight is shaping strategy. I offer that as a fractional service: part-time, flexible, but with the authority and experience to set direction and raise capability.
Research as a Service: Not every company is ready for a full-time researcher. I’ll act as your dedicated research partner, providing continuous, on-demand insights that keep your product on track, without the permanent headcount.
Custom training: My workshops are for teams who want to build their own capabilities. I'll share practical, hands-on skills in everything from user interviews to usability testing, so your team can embed a user-centric mindset for themselves.
These services aren’t just about the work; they're about building longer-term, more impactful relationships.
Why Now and What's Next
Moving from the security of contracting to building a consultancy is a big shift, but I truly believe the timing is right. After years of working across different industries, I've seen what works and what doesn't. I know the traps, and I know the levers that actually shift things.
I'm not stepping away from contracting completely. It's a role I love, and the experience I gain from working deeply within a single team is invaluable. But I'm also ready to build something that scales my impact beyond a single project and allows me to share my experience with a wider range of clients.
In practice, this shift means a few things for my clients and community:
I'll continue to do hands-on research. It's what I love, and it keeps me grounded.
I'll be building longer, more strategic partnerships.
You'll see me writing more, sharing my insights, and engaging with the community more visibly.
At the heart of all this is my passion: diving into problems. I love sitting with a team that's stuck, digging into the messy details, talking to users, and figuring out what's really going on. I'm not interested in research theatre. What drives me is making sense of complexity and helping teams move forward with confidence.
This is the start of something new for me, but it's also a continuation of what I've always done: using research to help people and organisations make better decisions. I'm excited about this new chapter—and if this sounds like something you care about too, I'd love to talk.