Dr Alison Sydenham

Dr. Alison Sydenham, BA(Hons), MA, Ph.D., MCIPD, FHEA, APC (IAPC&M), brings a wealth of expertise in Human Resource Management with a particular focus on workplace coaching, neurodiversity, and mental well-being. As a Chartered Member of the CIPD and an accredited coach with the IAPC&M, she has accumulated over 2,500 hours of coaching experience. Alison earned her Ph.D. at Plymouth University, where she researched the efficacy of workplace coaching on mental well-being.

Alison joined the University in 2019 and is the Programme Director and Senior Lecturer for the Senior People Professional Apprenticeship and MSc in Applied Human Resource Management.  She is module lead for HR Skills and Behaviours, and Leadership and Management modules.  She is also Chair of the Business School Mitigation Committee.  Previous roles include: Programme Director for Professional Practice; Interim Programme Director Financial Services Professional and Investment Operations Specialist Apprenticeships; Module Lead for Advanced Professional Practice modules, 

Outside her University role, Alison runs her own consultancy: The HR Desk, and coaching practice, Coaching for Wellbeing.  She works 1-2-1 offering strategies to enhance neurodiversity support and mental well-being in the workplace. Since 2015, she has also been an associate with Genius Within, working to increase awareness and appreciation of neurodiversity, helping individuals harness their strengths for personal and professional success.

Alison is passionate about promoting well-being and strives to help organisations drive success through employee well-being, strong leadership, and effective management. Her approach to leadership, teaching and coaching is creative and engaging, fostering inclusivity and inspiring individuals to actively apply what they’ve learned.  She believes that people perform their best when they are thriving and reaching their full potential, benefiting both themselves and their organisations.

In her free time, Alison has a passion for music and plays the harp, piano, and sings. She lives in Devon with her husband, daughter, and their goldendoodle