Accordis Professional Development Ltd
designed by people who understand health and social care
Who we are
Our Associates have a wealth of experience working across NHS, independent, public and/or social care sectors in a variety of senior roles.
All Associates have extensive experience of working in Higher Education designing and delivering accredited undergraduate and post graduate leadership and professional practice programmes.
We are all passionate about educational design and the power of quality coaching and mentorship. Our goal is to provide transformative professional development and enhance careers.
As a team our philosophy is values-based, ensuring that each individual has a high-quality experience that is tailored to their needs.
Meet the Team
Mel Lindley
MPhil, PGCert T&L, BSc (Hons), FHEA
Director
Mel has over 25 years' experience across health and education, having worked as a Respiratory Physiotherapist at Advanced Practice and Consultant levels before moving into Higher Education (HE).
She has extensive experience of designing and delivering undergraduate, apprenticeship and post graduate professional education; as well as being responsible for the CPD of hundreds of academic staff. She has co-presented her work on developing anti-oppressive practice in academia nationally.
She has led the strategic development of simulation and digital learning across health and social care education; and undertaken senior leadership roles responsible for the quality of education provision.
Her other senior/executive leadership roles include being Head of Allied Health Professions and Head of Allied Health, Social Care and Public Health within HE.
Mel has worked in workforce and educational consultancy roles, supporting strategy development, undertaking service redesign and restructuring of rehabilitation services, as well as advising universities on strategic development, capital investment and programme validation.
Mel's research is centred on emerging digital technologies and innovative approaches to facilitate meaningful learning. She is currently a mentor for a number of senior academics.
Mel's pronouns are she / her
Chris Midgley
MBA, MSc, PGDip HE, CMgr FCMI, FHEA
Associate
Chris has over 25 years’ experience in leadership, professional education and organisational development across healthcare, Defence, higher education and the public sector.
He has designed and delivered postgraduate and executive education for healthcare professionals and senior leaders, focusing on strategic leadership, organisational change, workforce development and the responsible use of AI.
His senior university roles have included Head of Degree Apprenticeships and Director of an Executive MBA and Senior Leader Apprenticeship, alongside programme leadership roles in healthcare and management education.
Chris is an experienced executive coach and mentor who helps individuals strengthen their strategic thinking, confidence and decision-making, and lead teams through complexity, change and uncertainty.
He has also worked as an educational consultant, advising universities on professional development, curriculum design, programme validation, accreditation and educational quality.
His current interests include how AI is reshaping leadership, workforce capability and education, with particular emphasis on ethical governance, critical judgement, organisational readiness and meaningful learning.
Chris' pronouns are he / him
Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy OBE
FCSP, DProf, MSc, Grad Dip Physiotherapy
Associate
Bhanu is a physiotherapist and health coach with nearly 40 years' experience working within the NHS, higher education and voluntary sectors; both in the UK and internationally.
Her expertise includes rehabilitation, clinical leadership, education, research, and professional development.
Bhanu has previously held the role of a Consultant Physiotherapist for a therapy-led rehabilitation ward, encompassing clinical excellence, professional education and leadership.
Bhanu’s national and international work, publications, and contributions to standard setting for her professional body, Department of Health (UK) and international bodies such as the World Health Organisation and World Physiotherapy, led to her being awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2016.
Over the past 2 decades, Bhanu’s work across the voluntary sector and her continued background in mentoring has steered her interests towards enabling people to stay well beyond the context of her clinical work.
Having completed a diploma in Health Coaching and participating in teaching from professionals who focus on wellbeing, Bhanu’s emphasis with work has altered to a more pastoral and mentorship role, enabling others to recognise their value and strengths.
Bhanu's pronouns are she/her
Ciarán Hurley
MSc, PGDip Healthcare Ed, FHEA
Associate
Ciarán is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and higher education specialist with experience in health and social care workforce development. He specialises in designing and delivering transformative learning experiences to support professionals across the public, private, and third sectors.
Ciarán brings a rich background in higher education and clinical practice, having worked as a Lecturer in Nursing at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. His expertise includes curriculum design, values-based leadership, and group facilitation. Grounded in a person-centred, humanistic, and existential approach, Ciarán is deeply committed to ethical and anti-oppressive practice, ensuring accessible learning environments for all individuals.
In addition to his independent psychotherapy practice, Ciarán's governance roles include having been a Trustee for the charity Sheffield Mind and his ongoing role as an Editorial Board Member for The Nursing Standard. He is a Fellow of Advance HE, held Recorded Nurse Teacher status with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and is registered with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. He holds a Master’s in Medical Law & Ethics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care Education, and qualifications in integrative counselling and psychotherapy and clinical supervision.
Ciarán's pronouns are he / him
Dr James Taylor
DProf, MSc, PGCE, BSc, SFHEA
Associate
James has over 15 years of experience in higher education, further education, professional education, and leadership across public health, exercise, management, and workforce development. His career has focused on designing, delivering, and strategically developing educational programmes that support professional practice and lifelong learning.
James has led the development and delivery of nationally recognised undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and continuing professional development programmes. He has also supported the implementation of educational initiatives across universities, colleges, and professional organisations, contributing to curriculum innovation and quality enhancement.
His expertise includes curriculum and programme leadership, educational practice, leadership development, exercise and health promotion, and inclusive approaches to learning and workforce development. Throughout his career, he has provided strategic insight and leadership across further and higher education.
Alongside his academic work, James has extensive experience in mentoring and developing staff within both the education and fitness sectors. As a qualified Exercise Referral Instructor, he has partnered with healthcare services to help diverse communities improve health outcomes through physical activity and lifestyle interventions.
James's research focuses on how policy affects student wellbeing and the role of physical activity in promoting health, wellbeing, and educational success. Drawing on both his research and professional experience, he also advises organisations on workplace wellbeing, helping to develop evidence-informed strategies that support employee health and organisational performance.
James' pronouns are he/him
Simon Williams
MA Ed, BA (Hons), SFHEA
Associate
Simon Williams is an experienced educator and professional development specialist with over 25 years’ experience across public health, social care, youth work, community development and higher education.
His expertise includes compassionate leadership, workforce development, organisational culture, anti-oppressive practice, safeguarding, and professional learning.
As a published author, researcher, conference speaker and senior fellow of Advance HE, Simon brings a unique blend of academic insight and real-world practice.
He has supported professionals, teams and organisations to navigate change, strengthen inclusive leadership, improve reflective practice and enhance service quality.
Simon is passionate about enabling individuals and organisations to built cultures that are collaborative, psychologically safe and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.
Simon's pronouns are he / him
Emma Gibson
MA Ed, BSc (Hons)
Associate - Digital Solutions and Quality Assurance
Emma has a degree in Psychology and Sociology and a Masters in Education. Over the last 7 years she has been working in digital learning, educational technology and pedagogical enhancement across Higher Education (HE); with a focus on healthcare and clinical education.
She designs and delivers interactive e-learning resources and staff upskilling initiatives, with a keen focus on instructional design, digital accessibility, and curriculum enhancement.
Emma specialises in translating complex curriculum requirements and programme accreditations into engaging digital solutions. Her work includes developing custom clinical tools, such as specific learning packages and interprofessional resources. She presented a virtual ward simulation resource at the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) conference.
Her interests centre around digital accessibility, simulation and AI in education. Focusing on embedding inclusive design standards into learning environments and utilising tools such as media production and immersive technologies to enhance student engagement.
Emma’s pronouns are she / her
David Beasant
MA Ed, BSc (Hons), FHEA
Associate - Digital Architecture and Solutions
With over 20 years' experience working in the education sector, David has expertise in Secondary, Further and Higher Education.
Starting out in teaching, he has pursued his interests in quality and continuous improvement, particularly in the use of technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Within the HE Sector, he has worked within Digital Learning where he has been designing and delivering modules designed to support staff digital capability, Teacher Education and Academic Development.
David has conducted research in mobile learning and has developed the extensive use of electronic placement documentation and simulated practice across Healthcare and Education courses.
With a background in computing and wide-ranging knowledge in technology, David focuses on digital systems and architecture, along with module creation and quality assurance.
He is passionate about collaborative working, the power of learning communities, and using digital learning to enhance education and support inclusion.
David’s pronouns are he/him