Emergent Thinkers™

I’m delighted to be contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Gloucestershire — an opportunity that has reignited my passion for supporting the development of ethical, future-focused innovators.

What makes this particularly meaningful is the chance to collaborate with some of the leading voices in enterprise education. Working so closely alongside Associate Professor Emily Beaumont, an inspiring educator and past President of Enterprise Educators UK, is a real privilege. Emily’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets through both teaching and research continues to shape the national conversation on enterprise education. It’s also a pleasure to work with Vassil Rachkov, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Innovation and course leader for International Business Management. With a distinguished background that bridges academia and the international wine industry, Vassil brings a rare combination of commercial insight, creativity, and pedagogical depth to his teaching and leadership.

One of the most rewarding — and energising — aspects of this role has been the sheer joy of working with such talented, reflective, and committed learners. The cohorts I’ve encountered are rich in lived experience, drawing from sectors such as energy, health, defence, policing, local government, higher education, and beyond. They bring not only technical insight, but also a depth of curiosity and a willingness to engage in the complexities of innovation and change. Supporting their development as reflective practitioners and entrepreneurial thinkers has been both a privilege and a genuine source of inspiration.

The University of Gloucestershire has established itself as a hub for enterprise and innovation education that is both practical and purpose-driven. Its approach champions sustainability-led entrepreneurship, embedding real-world thinking into the heart of its teaching and supporting learners to create ventures that respond to economic, environmental, and social challenges. This philosophy resonates deeply with my own commitment to harmonious, values-led enterprise — where entrepreneurship becomes a vehicle for meaningful, regenerative change.

I feel genuinely thrilled to be contributing — drawing on my experience as an educator, practitioner, and researcher working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and change agency. I’m steeped in the belief that enterprise education must be more than a commercial toolkit — it should spark critical thinking, foster ethical leadership, and support learners to create value that is not only economic, but social, ecological, and relational. What excites me most is seeing how the work we do in class is already influencing the approaches and live innovation projects learners are taking back into their own workplaces and sectors — from local government to healthcare, policing to education.

UoG is shortlisted for new awards celebrating excellence in higher education

It’s an absolute delight to contribute to the University of Gloucestershire’s enterprise and innovation story — a learning culture that is both applied and values-driven. Connection and contribution are what drive me — so thank you UoG – it’s a joy to be doing this work with incredible talent, and with purpose.

Felicity