Â鶹AV

Laura Woodward Chartered MCIPD

I studied psychology at Lancaster University with the original aim of becoming an educational psychologist. 

After graduating I was offered a job recruiting police officers, which progressed into working in HR for the Lancashire Constabulary for some years. This was followed by further HR work in a rehabilitation centre before joining the HR department at the Â鶹AV.

My interest in professional development led me to move into careers work at the Â鶹AV in 2011.

Professional qualifications

• Chartered CIPD
• Mental Health First Aider

Specialist in

• HR
• Recruitment processes
• Employment law
• Mentoring
• Career breaks

Robert Bowles MÂ鶹AV RCDP

After an early career in marine biotechnology, I moved out of the lab to develop a career working with people rather than micro-organisms.

I have insight into a wide range of industries and types of companies, having worked for organisations ranging from large multinational pharma companies to small software houses.

My PhD and post-doc work has given me an insight into academic careers, and I also have extensive experience in sales and marketing roles.

I use this wide range of experience to help people find the right role for them.

Professional qualifications

• Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development with Open University
• Mentoring training
• Mental Health First Aider

Specialist in

• Academic careers
• Careers in industry
• Helping people with career changes, whatever the reason

Dr Edwin Marr, PhD

My career started in Higher Education, where I began working as an associate lecturer whilst completing my PhD.

I then transitioned my career to work in careers guidance, which I have been doing since 2021 across Higher Education, delivering careers content for clients based across 91 countries. I have successfully twice delivered a teaching programme for PhD researchers, taught others working in careers how to review CVs, and undertaken HE recruitment. I also supported PGRs and ECRs working in cancer research.

I joined the Â鶹AV in 2024.

Professional qualifications

• University of Warwick, Career Development and Coaching Studies (in progress)
• AGCAS Introduction to Guidance Interviewing
• AGCAS Challenges of Career Work in HE

Specialist in

• Academic careers
• Career wellbeing
• Career change
• Pharma careers
• Global careers