Meet the Team
All our advisers are Level 6 or 7 Qualified and fully DBS checked.
Our coaches, facilitators and trained assessors, work in the commercial world spanning multiple sectors including: Law, Financial Services, Sales & Marketing, Veterinary, Advertising & PR, Teaching, Performing Arts, Third Sector, Sustainability, The Armed Forces, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Architecture, Automotive and Retail.
This means our advice is grounded, relevant, and tailored to today’s career landscape.
Bella Eccles is the founder of Tinker Tailor and a career coach passionate about helping young people discover their unique strengths and pursue careers where they can thrive.
A qualified MBTI (Myers-Briggs) practitioner, Bella began her career placing associate to board-level talent into investment banking and private equity. She later advised a graduate and intern recruitment platform, bringing deep insight into what helps candidates succeed early in their careers.
In 2008, driven by a desire to provide a more personal and meaningful alternative to volume hiring, Bella established Tinker Tailor. Her goal: to offer tailored, honest, and high-impact careers support to young people, parents, schools, and professionals at key career transition points.
Bella has since built extensive networks with students, educators, and employers—and she continues to gather and share invaluable insights into how careers really work today.
Susie is a passionate careers educator, coach, and programme designer with over a decade of experience supporting young people in both one-to-one and school settings.
Her own career pivot, from corporate law to careers education, came through coaching, giving her a deep personal understanding of how powerful self-awareness and career exploration can be in finding the right path.
A Level 6 Qualified Careers Adviser, Susie brings together practical coaching tools and deep insight into schools. She has designed and delivered Careers Leader training for primary and secondary schools through Teach First for the past six years, building expertise in how to embed careers education meaningfully into the curriculum.
She has also worked as a facilitator with students at London Business School and in corporate settings, helping learners at every stage gain confidence, clarity, and direction.
Emma is committed to nurturing individual aspirations and talents, recognising that each student has distinct strengths and goals.
Emma is a Level 6 Qualified Careers Adviser and Head of Careers at Beechen Cliff School, where she leads a comprehensive programme designed to support every student in navigating their own path. She’s passionate about helping young people uncover their strengths, explore their options, and make confident, informed decisions about the future.
Before moving into the education sector 15 years ago, Emma worked in private sector recruitment, event management, and fundraising. This diverse background gives her a well-rounded view of the job market and the many routes available to young people today.
Emma brings a deep understanding of career development, shaped by years of experience working closely with students across both independent and state schools. Her advice and guidance is always honest, impartial, and rooted in a belief that there’s no single route to success—just the one that’s right for each individual. She works closely with Academic and Learning Support teams to ensure young people with SEND are supported and encouraged to pursue their ambitions.
Whether a student is aspiring to go to university, college, or into an apprenticeship or work, Emma offers realistic, practical guidance and is a trusted presence throughout each student’s journey. Her goal is to equip young people with the tools, confidence and clarity they need to make choices that feel right for them—now, and in the future.
Melanie has been supporting teenagers to feel more confident about their ideas, aspirations and future plans since 2018. She helps young people identify their strengths, understand what motivates them, and make informed decisions about their next steps.
She is Head of Careers at Royal High School Bath GDST and also works with the University of Bath’s secondary school outreach programme as a Careers Adviser. Her experience spans both one-to-one guidance and programme delivery across a wide range of settings.
Before moving into education, Melanie spent over 12 years working in finance in Los Angeles and London. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, alongside a minor in Theatre and Dance—reflecting her broad interests and appreciation for both analytical and creative strengths
After graduating with a BSc in Business, Amy began her career in corporate recruitment, working on large-scale programmes in the retail and investment banking sectors. A round-the-world trip confirmed her passion for supporting early talent, and she went on to spend a decade at a global pharmaceutical company, managing apprenticeship, graduate and MBA programmes.
Inspired by her work with young people at the start of their careers, Amy completed the Level 6 Career Development qualification and now works with students in schools and colleges, helping them explore career options with confidence and curiosity.
A piece of advice I wish I had been given when I was younger? Try as many different work experiences as possible. “Approach organisations for a shadow day, these are often easier for people to say ‘yes’ to, and they’re a great way to learn more about what suits you.
Graduating from the University of Leeds, Clare began her career in recruitment and HR, working across financial services, FMCG, and the public sector. Her early roles included recruiting newly qualified accountants at Goldman Sachs, leading graduate programmes at AXA UK and Kraft Foods (now Mondelez), and supporting student psychiatrists on NHS placements.
After starting a family, Clare joined the University of Gloucestershire in student support and went on to complete a Master’s in Career Guidance at Coventry University, graduating with Distinction. A move to Malaysia followed, where she worked as Global Careers Lead for an international schools’ group and published a children’s book about managing change.
Now back in the UK, Clare works across a secondary school, international school and sixth form as Head of Careers and Higher Education, alongside her freelance careers work.
A piece of advice Clare wishes she’d heard sooner. ‘Rejection doesn’t mean you have to change your entire game plan. Perserverance matters.
Zoe is a qualified careers guidance professional (Level 6) with a strong background in both education and business.
For the past five years, she has worked as Careers Manager at Sherborne School, while also delivering careers and higher education guidance through the Education Development Trust to schools such as Whitgift and Milton Abbey.
Before moving into education, Zoe held senior marketing roles in the tech industry, including as Marketing Director across Europe and Asia Pacific for global software companies. She later transitioned to working as a social media freelancer and entrepreneur, bringing a creative and commercial lens to her careers work.
The advice Zoe wishes she’d heard earlier in life? – What you’re naturally drawn to matters – pay attention to it.
Annabel brings a uniquely diverse background to her careers work, shaped by her early experience as an Army Officer in the Royal Signals (retiring as Captain), followed by a decade delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones for the United Nations, Norwegian Refugee Council, British Government (DFID), and other global development organisations.
She retrained as a teacher while her son was young, teaching Geography to A Level, and becoming Head of PSHE and Careers. After the pandemic Annabel left teaching to join her husband running Ocean Surfski, their ocean racing kayak business, as the UK dealers of the two largest global surfski brands and kit, coaching, and management of the GB team. To formalise the careers advice, she was still giving to former pupils and squad paddlers, she gained her Level 6 Careers Qualification, delivering the Dept for Education Apprenticeship Support programme in Devon. Alongside the kayak business, she now works as a freelance, independent careers adviser and delivers PHSE talks and workshops around the country.
After retraining as a teacher while raising her son, Annabel taught Geography to A Level and led PSHE and Careers provision in schools. Following the pandemic, she stepped away from full-time teaching to co-run Ocean Surfski – one of the UK’s leading ocean racing kayak businesses – covering equipment, coaching, and management of the GB team. Alongside this, she continued supporting young people with career planning. To formalise this work, she gained her Level 6 Careers Adviser qualification and now delivers the Department for Education’s Apprenticeship Support programme across Devon, as well as providing freelance careers guidance and workshops nationally.
Annabel holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Nottingham, an MA in Conflict, Security and Development from King’s College London (Distinction), a PGCE from the Open University, and OCR Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development.
Advice? Annabel is incredibly grateful for the advice she was given; she was always told to go for it, to seize the day. She’s glad she did, as she’s never looked back.
Julie has been a qualified Level 6 Careers Adviser since 2001, bringing over two decades of experience in supporting individuals of all ages to explore their potential and make informed decisions about their future. She is passionate about helping people find careers that reflect their strengths, values, and aspirations.
Julie is the Lead Careers Adviser at a state school in Bath and North East Somerset and works as a Careers Adviser for the University of Bath’s Secondary School Outreach Project. Her guidance is rooted in a belief that everyone deserves a career that sparks passion and makes the most of their unique abilities.
Before moving into education, Julie worked as a Recruitment Consultant and as an Employment and Training Adviser. She holds a degree in Cultural Studies and Women’s Studies from Staffordshire University.
One piece of advice she wishes she’d been given earlier in life? That your career isn’t a one-time decision and it’s absolutely okay to change direction!
Emily is a Level 6 qualified careers coach who began supporting adults in 2018 before expanding her practice to work with secondary school students in 2021. She is passionate about empowering individuals to recognise their strengths and interests, helping them focus and take confident steps forward.
Her path into careers work began unexpectedly during one of her first office jobs—inputting thousands of onward destination questionnaires at the University of Manchester Careers Service. After nearly two decades in the not-for-profit sector in marketing, communications and creative roles, she retrained with The Coaching Academy following redundancy and began coaching adults on life and work choices.
Emily now works across schools in Hounslow and Surrey, delivering one-to-one careers meetings, workshops and full year-group events. She has particular experience engaging students who are less confident or are on behaviour contracts, building rapport to create meaningful and positive sessions.
Advice she wishes she’d been given when younger:
Careers evolve—just take the first step and go from there.
Jane is a qualified careers adviser and coach, with a passion for helping individuals at every stage of their career journey explore their options, build confidence and take informed next steps.
She divides her time between delivering one-to-one guidance and workshops in secondary schools, working as a Careers Consultant at the University of London, and supporting private clients through her own career coaching practice.
With experience across secondary, further and higher education – as well as early and mid-career stages – Jane offers thoughtful, practical support that reflects a deep understanding of how career development unfolds over time. Her approach is rooted in curiosity and clarity, helping individuals navigate uncertainty and move forward with purpose.
Sarah is a Level 6 qualified Careers Coach who is passionate about helping young people recognise their strengths, explore opportunities, and reach their full potential. She believes in supporting every student to find the path that’s right for them – not just the one they feel expected to take.
With five years’ experience working in secondary schools, Sarah also brings valuable insight from the university sector, having worked as a consultant for a university careers service. She is a freelance graduate recruitment assessor, supporting large-scale assessment centres and running mock interviews and presentation exercises for universities across the UK.
Before moving into education, Sarah spent 15 years with a major FMCG company in Learning & Development, HR, and Early Careers roles, and worked in Learning & Development for a leading City law firm. Today, she continues to combine her work with schools and universities alongside corporate HR and L&D projects, ensuring her advice is grounded in both education and real-world industry experience.
One piece of advice she wishes she’d been given when she was younger:
“There’s no single ‘right path’ – just the one that’s right for you.”
Heather began her career in Human Resources, specialising in Graduate and MBA recruitment within professional services. She later co-founded a start-up that helped students find work experience opportunities over vacation periods, gap years, and placement years—an initiative rooted in her belief in the power of early exposure to the workplace.
In recent years, Heather has worked in a variety of roles across schools and sixth form colleges, from Admissions to Administration, always driven by a genuine passion for supporting young people through their educational journey. Her experience across both corporate and educational environments gives her a unique perspective on preparing students for life beyond school.
Advice I wish I had been given: Get as much work experience as you can, even if only for a short period and in any industry. All work experience is so valuable for both confidence and gaining an insight into different jobs and roles.
Sion is passionate about helping young people discover career paths that align with their values, skills and interests—especially in the often-overlooked areas of science, environment, and conservation.
A qualified veterinary surgeon with over 25 years of experience, Sion has worked in both the UK and Australia in several veterinary roles across private practice and government leading teams of field staff during intense periods of national animal disease outbreaks. . He spent a decade as Director of a successful small animal veterinary business before selling his business and moving into a senior leadership role in the UK civil service, managing national animal health responses. He is currently Head of Careers and Education at the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Alongside this, Sion is a trustee of a UK-based conservation charity and leads annual rhino conservation expeditions in South Africa. He is a published author, has undertaken media training for government representation, and is currently studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education.
Advice: Stay curious – I wish I had been more curious when I was younger. Ask more questions yesterday that would have better informed today and tomorrow.
Sarah Jane (SJ) began her career in sales and marketing after studying Industrial Economics at the University of Nottingham, working with Holiday Inn Hotels and later joining Coca-Cola Enterprises, where she spent over a decade managing marketing operations for brands including Diet Coke, Schweppes, Fanta and Sprite.
After a career break to raise her three children and live in Tokyo, SJ retrained as a coach and completed a master’s degree in Positive Psychology. She now works with young people in both public and private settings, including through Hampshire County Council’s Innovation Volunteers programme. She has a particular interest in supporting young people who have experienced bereavement.
Advice she wishes she’d been given when younger:
Be bold. Make choices that excite you and are meaningful. You don’t need to have your whole career path mapped out to move forward – the best opportunities often come when you stop trying to predict the destination.
Maryan is a qualified professional coach with specialist training in ADHD and youth coaching. Her career spans over two decades across education, health, and commercial sectors. She began in sales and marketing before moving into leadership roles, and later transitioned into coaching, training, and programme delivery.
Maryan has worked with young people, adults, and parents—supporting personal growth, career confidence, and wellbeing. Her experience includes health and wellbeing coaching within the NHS, freelance coaching, and managing training programmes for national organisations. She brings a calm, structured approach alongside her passion for mentoring, and is deeply committed to helping others realise their potential.
One piece of advice she wishes she’d been given when she was younger:
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Every twist in your career can teach you something valuable—trust the journey.
Karen has built a purpose-led career across the charity sector, social enterprise and grassroots activism. She has founded and led several ventures focused on social and environmental change, and recently returned to the grant-giving space to support community-based initiatives.
A committed advocate for equity, inclusion and social justice, Karen has worked with people
from all walks of life to create platforms that elevate underrepresented voices and encourage intergenerational dialogue. Alongside her work in career education, she is a qualified Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner and designs nature-based retreats rooted in connection, co-mentoring and reflection.
Karen believes that meaningful careers start with knowing what matters most to you—and that staying true to your values is far more powerful than chasing the conventional definition of success.
With over 20 years’ experience in recruitment, business ownership and mentoring, Jess brings a wealth of insight, energy, and empathy to her work with young people.
After an early foray into acting, Jess found her calling in people-focused work. At just 25, she co-owned Joyce Guiness Recruitment in Knightsbridge—now one of London’s leading boutique recruitment firms. She later ran a hand-embroidered children’s clothing business and went on to oversee HR, recruitment and sourcing for a specialist food company importing Vietnamese products for major UK retailers.
Jess has always been passionate about helping young people navigate their early careers. Whether supporting school leavers or graduates, she thrives on encouraging individuals to recognise their strengths and take confident next steps. A long-standing member of the Tinker Tailor Careers team, Jess blends humour, realism, and a deep knowledge of the world of work in every session she delivers. One piece of advice she wishes she’d been given, You don’t have to be good at maths to succeed in business!
