Our Team

Founder & Executive Director  

Dr Imani Silver Kyaruzi is a highly accomplished academic, researcher and business specialist with extensive international experience in higher education, entrepreneurship, business development and strategic management.

Holding a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Economic Geography from the University of Birmingham and an MBA in Entrepreneurship, Dr Kyaruzi combines academic excellence with practical business insight. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), he is recognised for his commitment to educational excellence, academic leadership and the development of effective teaching and learning practices.

His expertise encompasses educational consultancy, curriculum development, academic research, entrepreneurship education, business strategy, SME development and organisational growth. Having taught, researched and collaborated internationally, he brings a valuable global perspective to the challenges facing educational institutions, businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.

An established author and researcher, Dr Kyaruzi has contributed extensively to the understanding of entrepreneurship, economic development and business innovation, with particular expertise in developing economies and international enterprise.

As a consultant, Dr Kyaruzi offers a distinctive combination of intellectual rigour, strategic thinking and practical guidance. His ability to translate complex academic and commercial concepts into actionable solutions makes him a valuable adviser to universities, educational providers, businesses and organisations seeking sustainable growth and meaningful transformation.

Passionate about empowering individuals and institutions, Dr Kyaruzi is committed to fostering innovation, strengthening organisational capabilities and helping clients realise their full potential.

Founder & Executive Director  

Dr Matthew Cooper is a higher education academic with an international outlook and a broad portfolio of professional interests spanning teaching, research, consultancy, non executive directorship, external examining, policy engagement and collaboration. He brings a thoughtful, evidence informed perspective to the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary education, with a focus on connecting academic quality to the needs of students, institutions and the wider professional world.

Matthew understands that effective education is about more than delivering subject knowledge. It is about designing meaningful learning experiences, developing critical thinking and practical skills, and helping learners connect their studies with future opportunities. He is interested in how higher education programmes can remain academically rigorous while responding to changing industry expectations, professional standards and graduate employability.

Through educational consultancy, Matthew can contribute to curriculum and programme development, teaching and learning enhancement, stakeholder engagement and the ongoing improvement of academic provision. His wider perspective also supports organisations seeking a considered sounding board for strategy, change and the relationship between learning and real world outcomes. He values constructive collaboration, clear communication, integrity and quality, and recognises the importance of listening carefully to different perspectives before shaping practical recommendations.

Whether working with education providers, academic teams or business partners, Matthew aims to turn insight into useful action. His approach combines intellectual curiosity with a commitment to relevance, continuous improvement and positive impact.

AI and Enterprise Architect 

Dr Andrew Collyer is an experienced entrepreneur, business adviser and leadership professional with more than four decades of experience across business and organisational development. He brings a practical, people centred approach to consultancy, combining strategic thinking with a clear focus on turning ideas into achievable outcomes.

Andrew’s work spans business mentoring, leadership development and education governance. He has supported entrepreneurs and emerging leaders and has contributed to the work of schools and educational organisations through governance and board leadership. His experience gives him an appreciation of the challenges faced by organisations at different stages of development, from setting direction and strengthening leadership to improving performance and responding constructively to change.

A committed advocate of learning and development, Andrew is well placed to help individuals and organisations build confidence, develop their capabilities and approach complex issues with greater clarity. For businesses, his consultancy can offer an independent perspective, thoughtful challenge and practical guidance tailored to the organisation’s circumstances. He is particularly valued for making complex concepts accessible and translating broad business ideas into useful actions for smaller organisations and growing enterprises.

Whether advising a business, supporting a leadership team or contributing to educational development, Andrew brings curiosity, experience and a commitment to helping people and organisations realise their potential.

Business Development Manager 

Lucas Cooper brings a thoughtful blend of business education, analytical curiosity and a commitment to helping others learn and develop. With a background that includes international study at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University and Marseille, Lucas combines an understanding of business principles with an interest in how knowledge can be translated into practical, useful outcomes.

His professional profile is complemented by an extensive knowledge of social media marketing strategy and the data science of marketing, giving him a foundation for exploring how evidence, insight and clear communication can support better decisions. These interests are relevant to organisations seeking to strengthen their marketing approach, understand information more effectively and identify opportunities for improvement.

Lucas also has experience supporting learning in community settings. His work as a youth leader further developed his experience of supporting children and young people from varied backgrounds and abilities. These experiences inform an approachable, inclusive outlook that is valuable in educational support, knowledge sharing and collaborative consultancy.

Lucas aims to bring curiosity, care and a practical mindset to each engagement, taking time to understand the needs of learners or organisations before working with them towards clear goals. Whether contributing to educational initiatives or business projects, he offers an adaptable perspective and a willingness to turn ideas into purposeful action.

Quality & Compliance Manager

Dr Simon Jones is an accomplished higher education leader and consultant with nearly 30 years of experience across universities, international partnerships, alternative providers and quality assurance organisations. He brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, academic expertise and practical consultancy experience, helping institutions strengthen educational quality, improve student outcomes and navigate complex regulatory and organisational challenges. 

 Dr Jones has supported senior university leaders on academic governance, quality assurance, partnership management, organisational change and business development. His work has included advising on international education partnerships, developing institutional policies and supporting the implementation of robust academic standards. He has also undertaken external review and examination roles, bringing an independent, evidence led perspective to institutional performance and educational practice. 

Dr Jones is valued for his ability to turn complex requirements into clear, practical recommendations that leaders and teams can act upon. His approach combines analytical rigour with collaborative leadership, coaching and professional development, helping people build confidence, strengthen capability and deliver sustainable improvement. He is committed to educational excellence, effective governance and widening opportunities for student success. 

Whether advising on strategy, quality enhancement or organisational development, Dr Jones offers informed, thoughtful and outcome focused consultancy tailored to each organisation’s needs.

Female Entrepreneurship and Economics Advisor

Prof. Dr Mirjana Radović-Marković is a globally renowned economist. Prof Mirjana is internationally celebrated for her pioneering work in female entrepreneurship, economic resilience, and education, her research has profoundly shaped global gender studies and e-learning methodologies.

Dr Radović-Marković’s career is defined by exceptional academic leadership, having served as the head of the Center for Macroeconomic Research at the Institute of Economic Sciences in Belgrade and holding full professorships at several elite global universities. A visionary in scientific publishing, she is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Women's Entrepreneurship and Education. Her immense scholarly output includ.es over 30 books and more than 350 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Her monumental achievements have earned her election to more than ten prestigious global academies, including the Academia Europaea and the World Academy of Art and Science. Recognized with the White House Lifetime Achievement Award, she brings her unparalleled expertise in bridging regional academic excellence with global educational innovation to her vital role at Mercia Innovation Enterprises.

Curriculum Development Advisor (Business & Strategy)

Dr Akash Puranik brings together academic insight, research expertise and an authentic practical interest in the challenges faced by learners and organisations. Having completed his doctoral research at The Open University in 2020, he has a strong grounding in qualitative and ethnographic research, with particular interest in how people collaborate and work in informal, unstructured settings. His work has also included teaching and learning research, reflecting a commitment to improving educational practice through careful inquiry and evidence informed thinking. 

 Dr Puranik’s wider academic interests span management, strategic planning, entrepreneurship and business education. This combination enables him to help educational institutions, professionals and businesses explore complex questions, understand different perspectives and identify opportunities for improvement. He can contribute to research design, the interpretation of qualitative evidence, reflective practice and the development of learning focused approaches that connect theory with real world needs. 

 As a consultant, Dr Puranik offers a thoughtful, collaborative approach centered on listening carefully, clarifying objectives and developing practical recommendations. Whether supporting teaching and learning initiatives, informing organisational decisions or helping teams examine business challenges, he brings intellectual curiosity, analytical rigour and a focus on useful outcomes. His approach is grounded in the belief that strong research and open dialogue can help people make better decisions, strengthen practice and turn ideas into meaningful progress. 

Curriculum Development Advisor (Tourism)

Dr Carmen Miles is an experienced education leader, independent adviser, researcher and speaker whose work helps organisations create better conditions for learning and meaningful change. Recognised for her expertise in higher education, pedagogy and digital education, she brings together strategic insight, research-informed practice and a practical understanding of the challenges facing educators and institutions.

 As Honorary Professor of Education Futures at De Montfort University, Dr Miles continues to contribute to research, doctoral supervision and collaboration across the education sector. Her areas of interest include the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence in education, teaching and assessment, digital and online learning, academic development, and institutional transformation. She is particularly interested in helping educators and leaders move beyond theory to approaches that can be applied in real settings and adapted to their own priorities. 

Through consultancy, speaking and collaborative work, Dr Miles can support educational institutions and organisations as they review learning practices, develop staff capability, consider emerging technologies and shape effective strategies for change. Her approach places pedagogy, professional judgement and the needs of learners at the centre, helping clients make informed decisions and connect ambition with practical action. 

Combining intellectual rigour with a collaborative and forward-looking perspective, Dr Miles offers valuable insight for organisations seeking to strengthen educational practice, respond confidently to change and build a more effective future for learning.

Curriculum Development Advisor (Hospitality)

Seth Lewis brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality management, spanning luxury branded city and resort hotels, alongside a strong commitment to education and professional development. His blend of industry insight and academic engagement enables him to connect business theory with the realities of working in a demanding, customer focused sector. 

Through his work in higher education, Seth supports the development of future hospitality and tourism professionals. He understands the importance of equipping learners with relevant knowledge, practical perspectives and the confidence to apply what they learn in the workplace. His industry background helps bring real world context to teaching, discussion and professional guidance. 

Seth’s experience also provides a valuable foundation for consultancy with organisations seeking to strengthen their people, service standards and business performance. He can offer an informed perspective on hospitality operations, guest experience, professional skills and the relationship between education and employer needs. By bringing together academic understanding and extensive practical experience, he is well placed to help organisations and individuals consider challenges, identify opportunities and develop effective approaches.

Whether contributing to educational initiatives or advising on business related questions, Seth offers a thoughtful, industry informed perspective grounded in decades of experience. His focus is on making knowledge useful, supporting professional growth and helping people translate ideas into meaningful practice.