University of Brighton Finance Team: From Strengths Insight to Action

A multi-stage journey from self-awareness to team-wide collaboration and resilience in higher education finance.

Finance teams in higher education operate under constant pressure — balancing regulatory requirements, budget constraints, and the need to support their institutions’ strategic goals. For the University of Brighton’s Finance Team, the post-pandemic shift in ways of working, coupled with sector-wide change, brought new challenges to communication, collaboration, and resilience.

Recognising the importance of investing in their people, the team partnered with Strengthify to embark on a journey of strengths-based development — starting with a Discovery Workshop and continuing into further leadership and team development initiatives.

The Challenge

The team wanted to:

• Build stronger connections between colleagues across roles and responsibilities.
• Increase understanding of individual working styles and motivations.
• Improve collaboration and reduce friction under tight deadlines.
• Create a shared language for giving feedback and supporting one another.

Like many finance functions in higher education, they were problem-aware — knowing they needed to address communication gaps and the challenges of working under pressure — but not yet familiar with a structured, strengths-based solution.

Why Strengthify

The University of Brighton Finance Team chose Strengthify for our:

• Practical, evidence-based approach grounded in positive psychology.
• Ability to blend personal insight with team-wide application.
• Track record of supporting public sector and higher education teams through periods of change.
• Structured journey that builds from awareness to action.

Implementation Process

The University of Brighton Finance Team’s strengths-based journey began with Sue Owen, Deputy Chief Finance Officer, attending our inaugural Strengthify Live event, followed by participating in our first Management Development Programme (MDP).

Building on this foundation, the six managers in her team took part in a Discovery Workshop and then completed the MDP. This created a core group of leaders who shared a common language, approach, and commitment to embedding strengths-based principles across the department.

The next step was a full Finance Team Discovery Workshop, designed to:

• Introduce the entire team to the strengths-based approach
• Build openness and rapport
• Strengthen team identity and alignment

The current phase, now underway, involves specialist workshops for each sub-team within Finance, alongside a dedicated leadership team workshop, to deepen insight, strengthen collaboration, and embed strengths-based practices into everyday work.

Impact

Sue’s reflections on the MDP:

• "Thought-provoking and insightful programme which will help me to get the best from myself and the teams that I work with."
• Reported stronger confidence in all key management skills, including delegation, performance conversations, and investing time in people’s development.
• Particularly valued the opportunity to learn from peers, reflect on personal strengths, and explore practical models such as the Team Performance Curve and Five Dysfunctions of a Team.

Managers’ MDP feedback:

• 100% of MDP participants reported feeling confident or very confident across all core management areas.
• 100% rated the programme as Very or Extremely valuable, with 88% likely or extremely likely to recommend it.
• Found the structured approach to applying ideas highly valuable.
• Appreciated the practical focus and tools, with requests for future resources such as short scenario videos and more case studies.

Team Discovery Workshop outcomes:

• 94% rated the workshop as Very or Extremely valuable.
• 88% Strongly Agreed or Agreed they now have a better understanding of others’ strengths and how these can combine for better results.
• 94% rated adopting a strengths-based approach as Very or Extremely valuable.
• 100% Strongly Agreed or Agreed their CliftonStrengths assessment was valuable, and 88% felt they could use it to make positive changes to how they work.
• Several described the approach as "eye-opening" and "a new and positive way of working."

Results So Far

• Leadership confidence: Managers report higher confidence levels across all core management skills.
• Team cohesion: The finance team now shares a clearer understanding of one another’s strengths, with stronger interpersonal connections.
• Positive momentum: Engagement with the strengths approach has sparked interest in further workshops and deeper integration into team processes.

Looking Ahead

Following the Management Development Programme and team-wide Discovery Workshop, the focus now turns to delivering specialist workshops for each sub-team within Finance, alongside a dedicated leadership team workshop. These sessions will build on the strong foundations already in place, helping to deepen insight, strengthen collaboration, and embed strengths-based practices into everyday ways of working.

Client Feedback Highlights

"Two days well spent, and I would happily recommend to senior leaders across all HE Professional Services that they invest in their own managers by putting them forward for this." — Sue Owen, Deputy CFO

"Great for new managers and to re-focus 'old hands' on how to get the best out of everyone." — Gavin Best, Finance Manager

"A great and different way to approach management training." — Emma Fricker, Finance Manager

Ready to Strengthen Your Team?

Whether you want to build stronger collaboration, develop confident managers, or create a shared language for performance and feedback, Strengthify can help.

Get in touch to explore how our tailored workshops and management programmes can help your team unlock its full potential.