Our Story
What started as a small support service has grown into a dedicated careers guidance team helping people navigate their future with confidence.
The Beginning
Franklin Hammond Career Navigators was originally founded by sisters‑in‑law Vikki Franklin and Sophie Hammond, with Sophie bringing her expertise as an HR specialist. The company began in November 2023 under the name Franklin Hammond People Support Services, focusing on HR support, employability services, and career‑change guidance for adults.
As we delivered projects within schools, it quickly became clear that supporting young people was where our passion, and our impact were strongest. This insight shaped the evolution of our work and the direction of Franklin Hammond Career Navigators today.
Building Relationships
Throughout 2024, we expanded our work with schools, alternative provision settings and specialist education providers.
We developed a reputation for engaging learners who often found traditional careers support difficult to access, using a supportive and person-centred approach
A New Direction
Early in 2025, Sophie decided to take a step back from the business to concentrate on her corporate HR career. She remains a key figure, ensuring we stay fully up to date with changes in HR law and best practice — a vital part of our ongoing work.
By 2025, careers education and guidance had become the core focus of our work. To reflect this shift, we rebranded as Franklin Hammond Career Navigators.
In April 2025, Siân joined the team as our first employee. Later that year, following a successful partnership project with Oxfordshire County Council supporting migrant young people and adults, Rachel joined in September.
Growing Our Team
As demand for our services has continued to grow, we have now welcomed highly experienced freelance advisors to support us in our delivery during peak periods.
Vikki Franklin
Vikky
I’m Vikki, a careers guidance professional driven by a lifelong passion for helping people recognise their strengths, build confidence, and create positive futures. My background spans HR, staff development, and training management within the prison service — experience that shaped my belief that circumstances don’t define a person’s potential. With the right support and opportunities, anyone can change direction and thrive.
As a mum to two boys — one 28 and thriving after an apprenticeship, and one 11 and just beginning secondary school — I’ve seen firsthand how differently young people grow, learn, and find their path. My own school experience, including traits now recognised as ADHD, taught me how easily learners can feel misunderstood. It’s why I’m committed to offering guidance that is personalised, empowering, and rooted in understanding how uniquely each person learns.
Today, I support young people and adults to explore possibilities, build self-belief, and move forward in ways that genuinely work for them.
Sian Hanson
Siân
My name is Siân, and I recently qualified as a Careers Counsellor, although supporting people with their development and future pathways has been at the heart of my work for over 15 years. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of roles within international education, helping students of all ages navigate important stepping stones in both their careers and their lives.
Alongside careers guidance, I also hold qualifications in teaching and counselling, which made this profession feel like the perfect combination of my experience, skills, and passion for helping people better understand themselves and realise their potential.
After graduating in French from University of Exeter, I lived and worked in both France and Italy before moving into careers across the business, charity, and education sectors. Those experiences taught me the importance of staying adaptable, curious, and open to opportunities — something I believe is especially important for young people entering today’s constantly evolving world of work.
I understand that career journeys are rarely linear, and I’m passionate about supporting people to recognise their strengths, build confidence, and make informed choices about their future. I believe everyone has potential, and sometimes all they need is the encouragement, guidance, and space to explore what is possible for them.
Outside of work, I sing and conduct for Oxford Gospel Choir, and I enjoy exploring the beautiful Cotswolds countryside where I live with my husband and stepson.
Rachel Wheatley
Rachel
My name is Rachel, and I joined Franklin Hammond Career Navigators in 2025. I’m a working mum to two girls, and over the years I’ve changed careers several times to fit around the different stages of my life and the paths I’ve found myself taking.
Those experiences have taught me that careers are rarely straightforward, and that growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. I strongly believe that with determination, resilience, and the right support, people can achieve far more than they think they can. I’m passionate about helping others build confidence in themselves and realise their potential, regardless of the challenges they may face.
My journey into careers guidance began because someone saw something in me that I didn’t fully see in myself at the time. I was encouraged to step outside of my comfort zone and into a role where I could use my natural skills to support, motivate, and guide others. That encouragement made a huge difference to me, and it’s something I now hope to pass on to the young people and individuals I work with.
I genuinely believe nobody should let fear, self-doubt, or the opinions of others stop them from pursuing what they want in life. Sometimes all it takes is the right person believing in you until you begin to believe in yourself.
