Our consultants
Niall O'Loughlin
Niall O'Loughlin
Niall O'Loughlin
Niall has a decade of senior-level experience in research and innovation in higher education across multiple institutions. He has a strong track record in business analysis and change management, specifically in the evaluation, review, development and implementation of strategies, procedures and research policies. He has significant experience in managing the delivery of statutory, regulatory and funder returns including REF, KEF and HEBCI, and in the development of effective Management information and analysis.
Helen Sandford
Niall O'Loughlin
Niall O'Loughlin
Helen has worked at the intersection of academia, business and citizen involvement for over a decade. She has a detailed understanding of how to successfully commercialise knowledge and insight to create global societal impact. Helen has a strong track record in the development of large scale business plans, funding bids and proposals, aimed at both commercial and research funders. Her expertise has enabled the organisations she's worked with to open up to global markets and secure multi-million pound funding grants.
Our Work
Strategic Review
SEA Consultancy Ltd undertook a Review of Policy, Integrity and Performance within the Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RI&KE) directorate for the University of York. The review assessed how RI&KE could best manage its resources and risks and provided a series of recommendations to assist in the formation of a plan to develop the team, policies and tools to support the University's vision and ambition.
"Your methods have been thorough and inclusive, based on sound knowledge of the subject yet sensitive to the specific institutional context. The report is both detailed and concise and provides the independent evidence, benchmarking and priorities that we requested in order for us to develop our action plan. Highly recommended."
- Jennifer Gilmartin, Associate Director (RI&KE Operations), University of York
Research Mapping
SEA Consultancy Ltd reviewed and mapped the University of Hull’s maritime and marine safety expertise in order to discover areas of alignment to a research funder. The outcome was a report detailing a series of proposed research challenges that aligned with the strategies of both institutions and exploited the unique strengths at Hull. Methods of analysis included: desk research - analysis of the funder’s profile and Hull research data, interviews with key stakeholders from both organisations and workshops with academic colleagues.
"Niall and Helen’s people management skills, data insight, reactivity to ever-changing landscapes, insight, and tact, are exemplary. I would most certainly recommend SEA Consultancy for Higher Education consultancy work around research strategy, governance, knowledge exchange and innovation. We look forward to working with them in the future."
- Jonathan Greenwood, Trusts and Foundations Manager, University of Hull
Support Tool Analysis
SEA Consultancy Ltd reviewed citizen science digital platforms and supporting resources for the University of Leeds. We sought to understand needs through early engagement with key academic staff and made an analysis of the best digital tools available to support the range of citizen science activity at the University. We provided a series of recommendations to meet the University’s ambition to nurture citizen science activities and developed a resource pack for staff to guide the development of projects.
"I loved working with Helen, who was responsive and pro-active in adapting the project to make sure we had a successful outcome. Helen was extremely easy to communicate with and delivered the project in an impressively timely manner. I will certainly recommend Helen’s service and consider working again with Helen."
- Dr Alexa Ruppertsberg, Head of Public Engagement with Research, University of Leeds