After a career spanning continents, disciplines and causes, Dr Victoria Hewitt is embarking on her next adventure, launching a coaching and consultancy business rooted in her deep belief in the power of people.
Drawing on her rich and varied background – from serving as an army doctor in Bosnia and Africa, to leading international programmes at Newcastle University, and advocating for palliative care at the World Health Organisation, Victoria’s new venture is a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to helping others navigate change.
“I’ve always followed my heart,” says Victoria. “Whether it was stepping into war zones, supporting patients at the end of life, or standing up for global health equality, I’ve learned that meaning and joy come from putting people at the centre.”
That philosophy is now the cornerstone of her new business. Named after her two grandfathers, Hamilton Hill Coaching and Consultancy offers services that empower individuals and organisations to embrace change with confidence and compassion.
Her approach is grounded in design thinking, a method that prioritises listening to those experiencing change and co-creating solutions with them. Her new venture offers two signature programmes: coaching for individuals facing career transitions, and user-centred consultancy for organisations going through change.
Victoria’s decision to become self-employed was sparked by her move to take voluntary redundancy from Newcastle University, where she had led education programmes teaching students around the world. Rather than accept a role that didn’t align with her values, she chose to build a business that reflected her philosophy for life.
“I wanted to work in a way that truly reflected what matters to me,” she says. “That meant creating a business where people – not problems – are the focus.”
Victoria was signposted to the North East BIC through a Department for Work and Pensions session at the university after registering her interest in starting a business. There, she met her own dedicated Business Adviser, Rita Callender, whose support through the Enterprising North service proved pivotal.
The service, funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by the North East Combined Authority, offers free specialist support to new and early-stage entrepreneurs in the North East. It is delivered by a unique consortium of local delivery partners across Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.
“Rita has been incredible,” says Victoria. “She’s helped me with everything from setting up a business bank account to finding an accountant and accessing marketing support. Most importantly, she’s helped me build the confidence to transition fully into self-employment. Her empathy and experience have made all the difference.”
Victoria also embraced a whole suite of digital tools provided by Enterprising North to support her journey.
Free access to on-demand eLearning platform Smarta helped her develop a business plan which was essential for securing funding which supported her in gaining credentials in career coaching and online course development.
“The Smarta platform was brilliant,” she says. “The courses were jargon-free, accessible, and spoke directly to people like me who were stepping into something new. They gave me the structure I needed to move forward.”
Victoria also credits an AI Toolkit provided by Rita with helping her overcome initial fears around artificial intelligence. The toolkit provided practical advice on security and responsible use, giving her confidence to integrate digital tools into her work.
“It’s reassuring to have a trustworthy reference point,” she says. “It’s helped me feel more secure and informed as I consider how I can use AI when building my business.”
Victoria is currently developing an online coaching course for professionals facing career uncertainty, whether due to redundancy, restructuring or a desire to reconnect with their values. Her goal is to help others reframe fear into excitement and treat change as adventure.
“My biggest aspiration is to support the person who’s awake at 3am worrying,” she says. “If I can help reduce that stress and empower people to find their direction, I’ll feel I’ve done a good job.
“My own career has been joyful and rewarding, but every transition came with stress, even when it was my choice. The key thing I’ve learned is that when you approach change with a sense of adventure and purpose, it becomes transformative.”
Victoria’s Business Adviser Rita added: “Supporting Victoria in launching her career coaching business has been inspiring. Her journey embodies resilience, adaptability, and purpose.
“She brings a wealth of lived experience and professional insight to her clients, and it’s been incredible to witness her transform that into a business that empowers others to find their path.”
Click here to connect with Victoria.