Beverly's recent move to Bradford University from Leeds University has seen her return to her alma mater. Her first two degrees were in psychology and education as her original ambition was to be an educational psychologist, but following an MBA at Bradford she became fascinated by the subject of leadership and remained in Bradford to complete a PhD in the topic. A research fellowship followed at the Social and Applied Psychology Unit, Sheffield University, investigating the career development of British managers. This also led to her becoming interested in the influence of gender on the study of leadership, and the nature of gender bias in organisational assessment processes. Beverly moved to Leeds University as lecturer in organisational psychology at the Nuffield Institute, combining postgraduate teaching, research and consultancy - a combination she regards as perfect - and became Professor of Leadership Studies in 1996. Frustrated by the dominance of US "heroic" models of leadership based largely on the study of US white male top managers, she embarked with Dr John Alban-Metcalfe on possibly the largest, and the first inclusive, study of leadership. It involved more than 4,500 managers in public sector and FTSE100 companies. The success of the research led to the formation of a University of Leeds spin-out company, now called Real World Group, which undertakes research, produces diagnostic instruments, and supports organisations in cultural transformation. Beverly is its chief executive. She has been an advisor to numerous bodies, including the Police Leadership Development Board, the Local Government Leadership Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, the National College for School Leadership Think Tank, and the Fire and Rescue Service Leadership Panel.