The Annual Conference for Teachers and Advisers 2021

Katy went to school in London, studied French and Swedish at Aberdeen University, taught English for a year in Paris, started accountancy training in Newcastle, studied for her postgraduate qualification in Careers Guidance at Napier University in Edinburgh before finally coming to rest in the West of Scotland, which she has made her home for the past 22 years.

Over 27 years in the careers service, she has helped school leavers apply for jobs, college and university courses, helped employers recruit and advised on employment law and helped adults facing redundancy work out their career options.  Throughout, she has supported clients to achieve their potential no matter what disadvantages they face, challenging stereotypes & championing equal opportunities.  

She has run million pound national projects to help people back into work and help pupils look at college as a credible option.

As a long-standing UNISON member, Katy spent several years as senior steward for the service negotiating re-gradings, arguing for fair treatment of employees and jointly presenting UNISON’s submission to the Scottish Parliament on the future of careers services in Scotland.

In 2012, Katy became Head of the Careers Service for Strathclyde University.  Her team prepared graduates for the world of work, supporting them to choose the career path that works for them.  She was Convener of AGCAS (Scotland), the professional body for university careers services, from 2015 – 16.

In 2017, she then took up the role of Associate Director of Careers & Employability at Goldsmiths, University of London (part of The Careers Group) and now leads a team helping students navigate the challenging recruitment market in the wake of the Brexit vote and now Covid-19.  She is also a member of the AGCAS Governance & Risk Committee, Convener of Careers Services London (CSL) and a senior member of The Careers Group’s leadership team.

In 2019, Goldsmiths Careers Service achieved Runner Up in TargetJobs Best UK University Employability Strategy, and won ISPE UK University Partner of the Year and the AGCAS Award for Excellence: Significant Contribution – Group.