Expertise shaped around each engagement

Corey is a Director of WiderArc and plays a central role in the development of the firm. He supports its operations, client engagement, digital presence and the systems that underpin effective delivery.

Corey is committed to providing a professional, responsive and well-organised service. With an academic background in business and further Excel training, he brings confidence in research, information analysis and presenting detail clearly. His approach is shaped by practical problem-solving, accuracy and a focus on creating a positive client experience from initial conversation through to completion.

Working alongside WiderArc’s network of associate consultants, Corey helps ensure that each engagement is underpinned by clear communication, careful coordination and the most appropriate mix of specialist expertise. He has a growing interest in how robust systems, good governance and effective collaboration can support organisations to deliver meaningful improvement.

Based in Wolverhampton, Corey is proud to be helping build WiderArc as a trusted, values-led consultancy that combines personal service with high-quality specialist support.

Professor Sharon Arkell MBE, RN, SFHEA, DProf, MEd is a nationally recognised leader in healthcare education, workforce development and professional regulation. She currently chairs the independent steering group providing strategic oversight of the review and redevelopment of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's professional Code and revalidation requirements, helping to shape the future standards underpinning nursing and midwifery practice across the UK.

Awarded an MBE for services to higher education, Sharon has over 35 years' experience spanning clinical practice, higher education leadership, regulatory engagement and strategic partnership development. She specialises in supporting organisations to address complex challenges relating to workforce planning, educational strategy, professional regulation, quality assurance, governance and organisational change.

With a proven track record of executive leadership within healthcare education and strategic partnerships, Sharon has advised universities, NHS organisations, professional bodies, regulators and healthcare providers on programme development, regulatory compliance, workforce transformation and service improvement. Her expertise spans nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and wider health and care workforce systems.

Sharon is recognised for her ability to bridge policy, regulation, education and service delivery, enabling organisations to develop practical, evidence-informed solutions that meet regulatory requirements while supporting workforce sustainability and improving outcomes. She has particular expertise in professional standards, fitness to practise, practice learning and placement governance, curriculum innovation, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnership development.

Sharon’s consultancy work combines strategic insight with practical implementation, helping organisations design future-focused solutions that respond to evolving workforce, educational and regulatory demands.

Lorraine is a passionate nurse, educator and academic leader who has dedicated her career to supporting the development of future healthcare professionals and improving opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating inclusive learning environments, promoting excellence in nursing education and strengthening the relationship between clinical practice and higher education.

Lorraine is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a BSc in Adult Nursing. She is also a Registered Adult Nurse and Professional Nurse Advocate, with over 30 years’ experience across healthcare and higher education.

Most recently, Lorraine served as Principal Lecturer and Head of Undergraduate Nursing at the University of Wolverhampton, where she provided strategic and operational leadership for pre-registration nursing programmes. Her responsibilities included curriculum development, quality assurance, student engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion, fitness to practise, and ensuring compliance with Nursing and Midwifery Council standards.

Prior to this role, Lorraine spent 17 years as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, leading programme development, supporting student success and building strong partnerships with healthcare organisations. She currently serves as an External Examiner for the University of Central Lancashire.

Before entering academia, Lorraine gained extensive clinical experience within surgical nursing, progressing from Staff Nurse to Ward Sister across a range of specialties, including urology, breast cancer care, orthopaedics, plastics, ENT and general surgery.

Lorraine remains passionate about advancing nursing education, widening participation, promoting inclusive practice and supporting the next generation of nurses through leadership, collaboration and evidence-informed practice.

Sarah is a highly experienced nurse, educator and academic leader. She qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2002 and has built a career spanning clinical practice, healthcare education and strategic leadership.

Sarah began her career in clinical nursing, gaining valuable experience across orthopaedic and gynaecological services. During this time, she developed a strong foundation in patient-centred care, multidisciplinary teamwork and evidence-based practice. Her passion for supporting the development of future healthcare professionals led her to transition into educational leadership as a Practice Education Manager. In this role, she worked collaboratively with healthcare providers and higher education institutions to enhance learning opportunities and ensure high-quality placement experiences for students.

Building on this expertise, Sarah moved into higher education as a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, delivering high-quality teaching, curriculum development, student support and academic leadership. Her commitment to excellence in professional education and practice learning led to her appointment as Deputy Head of Practice, followed by Principal Lecturer and Head of Practice Learning for Nursing and Midwifery Programmes.

Throughout her leadership career, Sarah has developed extensive line-management experience, leading and supporting multidisciplinary teams while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. She has significant expertise in the strategic planning, quality assurance and governance of practice learning environments, ensuring that the quality and quantity of placement provision meet the needs of students, educational institutions and healthcare partners. She has also developed extensive networking experience, building and sustaining effective partnerships across healthcare organisations, professional bodies and academic institutions to support workforce development and practice learning excellence.

In addition, Sarah is an Action Learning Facilitator, a SEDA-recognised Leader in Technology Enhanced Learning and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). As an expert in regulatory compliance and professional standards, she has comprehensive knowledge of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards and requirements, and has played a pivotal role in ensuring practice learning experiences align with national regulatory frameworks.

Sarah’s career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing nursing education, quality assurance and enhancement, and promoting excellence in healthcare workforce development.

Emma’s professional experience has centred on advisory work, stakeholder engagement, data analysis and supporting individuals to make informed decisions. Most recently, Emma worked as a Careers Advisor at Thomas Telford School, providing impartial one-to-one guidance to students across university, apprenticeship and employment pathways. This involved understanding individual objectives, analysing different options and providing clear, evidence-based recommendations. She regularly worked with complex information, including university entry requirements, admissions processes and application strategies, and communicated this effectively to students, parents and colleagues.

A significant part of Emma’s role involved stakeholder management. She developed relationships with universities, employers and professional organisations, coordinating careers events, workshops and networking opportunities. She regularly liaised with university admissions teams to resolve application and administrative issues, requiring diplomacy, persistence and strong problem-solving skills. Emma also designed and delivered presentations and written guidance, adapting complex information for different audiences.

Earlier in her career, Emma worked as a Bar Supervisor at Durham University’s Igloo Bar. Managing large events with limited staff, she developed leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills in a high-pressure environment. The role required her to prioritise effectively, resolve problems quickly, maintain high standards of customer service, improve working practices and support colleagues to work efficiently.

Emma holds a 2:1 degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Durham University. Her degree developed strong analytical, research and written communication skills, requiring her to evaluate complex arguments, synthesise information and construct reasoned conclusions. Her study of philosophy also informed a person-centred approach to decision- and policy-making, including the study of ethics, moral theory, business theory and practice, and biomedical ethics.

Across her roles and education, Emma has developed analytical thinking, commercial awareness, stakeholder-management and practical problem-solving skills, providing a strong foundation for a career in consultancy and policy-making.