Meet
Dr Rhian Thomas
PhD, Master of Studies (Oxon); BA (Hons); PgCTLHE (Teaching & Learning in Higher Education)
Rhian is an Associate at Elevate BC and is an experienced Management Consultant, forging her career with Rolls-Royce. She also holds several NED positions within both the Public and Private sectors.
Dr Rhian Thomas
Management Consultant with Elevate BC.
An experienced Management Consultant, Rhian has mostly spent her career in the Aerospace and Marine industries.
Specialising in Commercial Management at Rolls-Royce, she also holds several NED positions within both the Public and Private sectors and has qualified as a Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Management. Rhian is driven by gaining diverse experiences and developing skills and knowledge across different sectors and industries, and also amongst her sector specialisms are Financial Services (Private, Public and 3rd Sectors) and Healthcare.
Solving client problems collaboratively is of utmost importance to her, and she strongly believes sharing ideas and experiences is the key to achieve a positive outcome.
Key specialisms
- Commercial Management
- Non Exec Directorships
Rhian’s Background
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU ARE IN NOW?
Most of my career has been in the Aerospace and Marine industries, specialising in Commercial Management at Rolls-Royce. More recently, I’ve undertaken Board work in various industries as well as qualifying as a Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Management.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
Solving client problems collaboratively – sharing ideas and experiences to achieve a positive outcome. Gaining diverse experiences and developing skills and knowledge across different sectors and industries.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?
- PhD, Master of Studies (Oxon)
- BA (Hons)
- PgCTLHE (Teaching & Learning in Higher Education)
WHAT ARE YOUR SECTOR SPECIALISMS?
Aerospace, Marine, Higher Education, Healthcare, Financial Services – Private, Public and 3rd Sectors.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN?
Cymraeg/Welsh
English
German
Conversational French
WhAT ATTRACTED YOU TO Elevate BC?
An opportunity to work bilingually with a company rooted in Wales and to learn from and collaborate with a team of brilliant associates.
THE PERSON OUTSIDE OF WORK
SPORTS & EXERCISE (Physical well-being)
To do: Weightlifting and Swimming
To watch: Skiing (and perhaps one day, I’ll be able to call myself a skier too!).
CHARITY WORK
A not-for-profit financial institution (Credit Union)
NON-EXECUTIVE ROLES
• Independent Board Member of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
• Audit Committee of the National Eisteddfod
• Member of Glas Cymru (Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water)
• Former Board Director of the Cardiff & Vale Credit Union
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
Exploring new places as well as revisiting favourite locations with my family.
WHAT DO YOU TO UNWIND & RELAX?
Planning epic travel adventures (even if I do not have the time/funds to go right now!) – travelling the Silk Road is a definite ambition.
Walking – the fresh air and peace clear my mind, giving valuable thinking and reflection time.
FAVOURITE BOOK & WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?
Luckily, a varied academic path has allowed me to enjoy a wide range of genres and literatures but one book which has had particular impact is Hans Fallada’s Kleiner Mann, was nun? It reminds me that I’m lucky to have what I have and we all have a duty to support others where we can.
FAVOURITE FOOD & WHY ?
Streusel cake and Spaetzle – these foods are linked to fond memories whilst living in Germany!
We asked Rhian to deliver a workshop to our community on Bid writing following a number of requests. Rhian was highly professional and very easy to work with. Her presentation was excellent – information rich, yet comfortable to follow and easy to digest; and her delivery style was calm, collected, and friendly. Participants found it easy to ask questions, and received fantastic answers and tailored advice as a result. The feedback we received from participants was glowing! Each attendee stated that they felt much more confident to apply for funding to grow their businesses moving forward.
Lesley Williams
CEO, Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise
I have had the good fortune to work with Rhian on two separate occasions both as lecturer and NED. […] From being an inspirational and relatable lecturer to an incredible business strategist, Rhian continually demonstrates that she is capable, competent and can easily deal with conflicting priorities in high-pressure situations. One of Rhian’s main attributes is her encouraging and supportive nature and her ability to bring out the best in people […] She provides sound, honest advice and really is focused on bespoke, considered solutions keeping her clients (and students) best interests at the heart of all she does.
Shari Finch
Lecturer of the Year @ The Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 | Communications & Engagement Consultant | NED
In Detail
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