Shelly Antczak
Business Studies alumna supporting small businesses and charities after a career spanning HR, leadership and organisational development
Shelly Antczak began her journey at Suffolk College in 1990, studying Business Studies A Level, before progressing to a BA (Hons) in Business Administration and later completing her CIPD qualification in 2001. Her time at the College gave her a broad commercial grounding, strong academic discipline, and the critical thinking skills that would underpin every step of her career.
After graduating, Shelly’s early working life took her into an insurance call centre, followed by an unexpected but career‑defining move into Personnel, long before it became known as HR. She went on to build a varied and rewarding career with a large Suffolk‑based organisation, gaining experience across the full spectrum of people management.
Following the birth of her second child, Shelly joined a charity as HR Manager, eventually becoming co‑CEO, a role that allowed her to apply her business knowledge across leadership, strategy, operations and organisational development. In 2023, she chose to return to “pure HR,” becoming an HR Consultant supporting small owner‑led businesses and charities as they navigate an increasingly complex legal and employment landscape.
Shelly reflects fondly on her time at Suffolk College. Her studies gave her the flexibility to explore different career paths, the confidence to adapt to new challenges, and the employment law knowledge she still uses daily. She also treasures the friendships formed during her time at the College, connections that have lasted more than 30 years.
Her advice to current students is thoughtful and reassuring: “Care less in education and early career about what you’ll do with the rest of your days. It’s far more interesting to take the next right step and lean in to make the best of that opportunity.”