Rachel Adshead

Senior Project Manager

Kiddy & Partners

Expertise

With extensive experience in executing, Rachel leads on the project management of our largest projects, oversees the delivery of our project teams, as well as the operation and management of core project and business processes at Kiddy & Partners.

Rachel started her career in HR and operational roles at AstraZeneca, whilst completing her degree in Human Resource Management. On graduating, Rachel joined a leadership consultancy where she partnered with a range of global organisations in various sectors to deliver bespoke leadership and talent interventions (e.g. building high performing teams, development programmes, executive assessment programmes, designing and delivering 360 initiatives). Rachel also held key responsibilities for analysis, ROI and client quotes/ testimonials, marketing and strategic account management. 

Rachel joined Kiddy & Partners in February 2024 from her most recent role as an HR Business Partner in the NHS. Reporting into Board, Rachel led on a range of HR and OD project and programmes of work – from employee engagement and experience; health and wellbeing; employee relations; policy development; learning and development; equality diversity and inclusion; and talent management). Earning a commendation in 2023 for her services to the organisation. 

Rachel is an Associate of the CIPD, BPS registered/ qualified to administer and interpret psychometrics (level A and B), a mental health first aider, and is also currently studying to complete her Master’s in Business Psychology. 

Ultimately, Rachel is passionate about people development, which brought her back into consultancy and more specifically occupational psychology.

How do you help clients? 

By providing effective project management, strong analysis and data and true partnership, I help clients to deliver against their talent and organisational development strategies. For example, executive assessment and development programmes provide a robust understanding and data for leaders to understand their talent pipeline, to build effective succession planning and to develop their workforce. 

I enjoy designing, delivering and managing bespoke, effective and innovative development solutions and programmes that are built on the foundations of reducing risk, ensuring equality of opportunity, minimising bias and delighting clients. 

Experience

  1. In the first six months at Gately: I have project managed an executive assessment programme for an insurance firm, supported the international roll out and delivery of a business development skills programme in the defence sector (covered over three continents in the first three months of joining) and leading on our leadership benchmark database. 
  2. Professional services – executive team development: Designed a team facilitation programme for heads of a large global team. The team need to form and work together to deliver their ambitious strategy. Facilitation of the event also included key tangible actions and follow-up 3-6 months later to ensure a successful outcome.* 
  3. Energy – talent development: Designed and delivered a digital 360-development programme for leaders. Project managed and provided feedback on key insights gathered in the findings report and coaching participants to set SMART goals for their development. 360 feedback was re-gathered 12 months later to support ROI of the programme and to ensure continuity of quality development discussions and objectives.* 
  4. Retail – recruitment and development executive assessment: Led on the account management of the recruitment and/ or development assessment process, for the top 250 leaders in a large UK retailer. Helped the client to ensure consistency, gathered robust data, produced and presented key analysis of findings to Board.* 
  5. Higher education – graduate career development: Partnered with a Russel Group university to coach their widening participation student and graduates on transitioning into the workplace. From the first cohort 85% (target was 50%) of those who participated gained highly-skilled employment, and enhanced the university’s student experience.*

* Denotes experience gained prior to joining Gateley.