Elsium Business Connect
Connection, collaboration, support
Elsium Education
Transforming digital strategies for learning
About Us
Elsium Solutions brings people, learning, and enterprise together through purposeful innovation.
We are a multi-strand organisation supporting digital transformation in education; delivering high-impact events that strengthen places and communities; and supporting small businesses through connection, collaboration, and practical support.
Whether we’re connecting enterprises though our business network, driving footfall and tourism with Elsium Business Connect, or helping schools embed meaningful technology through Elsium Education, everything we do is rooted in sustainable growth, real-world impact, and people-first solutions.
From transforming digital practice in education, to delivering events that connect people, energise towns and local economies, to supporting small businesses through a collaborative network, Elsium Solutions brings expertise, experience, and community together to create lasting impact.
Our Directors
Lois Kirtlan
Lois is Director of Operations at Elsium Solutions; the Founder and Managing Director of Hetty Betty; and the Founder and Chair of the Whitby Lit Fest
Lois took a neglected, unloved, run-down cafe and through drive and determination, transformed it into a multi award winning destination restaurant and venue, rated in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide on TripAdvisor. Navigating a hospitality business through COVID, economic downturn and seasonal changes, she has grown the business over 900%.
Lois founded the Whitby Lit Fest, now an internationally acclaimed world class Literature Festival which has welcomed household names such as Sir Alan Aykbourn; Lee Child; Rob Rinder; Steph McGovern; Miriam Margolyes; Yvette Fielding and more.
As the Director of Tidemoor (the events arm of Elsium Solutions) , Lois curates both large scale tourism events such as the Whitby Lit Fest and smaller scale events such as the Elsium Business Connect networking events, across Yorkshire.
Lois delivers presentations at universities, large organisations and business networks sharing her inspiring business journey and extensive business expertise, and is often interviewed and appears across multiple media.
As well being receiving multiple awards on behalf of Hetty & Betty, Lois was awarded Highly Commended for Best Hospitality Business Leader in the Enterprise Vision Awards 2025, the UK’s largest awards for female-led businesses. Lois is also a case study for the NatWest Accelerator after successfully securing investment from NatWest
Discover more about Lois here
David Kirtlan
David is the Founding Director of Elsium Solutions; and the Founder and CEO of Elsium Education.
David is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in education and digital transformation strategy. After a successful career in education, he moved into consultancy and grew Elsium Education into a leading partner for an extensive client list with commercial and charity clients including Apple, Guide Dogs, and Family Fund. He has designed, commissioned, and quality assured large-scale CPD programmes that have reached teachers at every career stage, including national frameworks developed in partnership with Apple, and music engagement strategies delivered through UK Music Hubs. He has led CPD transformation for Multi-Academy Trusts, embedding inclusive and research-informed practice that improves both teaching quality and learner outcomes.
David has represented UK education at major global conferences including BETT and GESS, and collaborated with ministries of education, NGOs, and international partners to influence policy and co-create equitable education systems. His leadership is defined by a commitment to equity, access, and measurable impact, ensuring national reach while supporting meaningful local change.
Discover more about David here
What our clients say about us
[Lois] It was a pleasure having you at our Sheffield office today. Your session was truly inspiring, and I know many others felt the same.
Thanks for the inspiration today, Lois Kirtlan. Loved hearing about your journey with Hetty and Betty.
All that needs doing now? Getting down to Whitby for that fish and chips afternoon tea! ⚓️
[David] It was such an exciting day and I only had to look at the level of concentration at the learning stage and the expressions of sheer delight at the stage of performance to know that every single minute had made for a worthwhile experience for each and every student.
Your delivery, demonstration and instructions were so honed which made things very clear and accessible for both staff and students and the session was wonderfully paced throughout.
It was an excellent practical session David. Thank you so much. I have made lots of notes and keen to translate this into a staff CPD in my school.
… the biggest takeaway for me were your words on PR and about how PR is what other people say about you – not what you say about yourself. Because of that I’ve now bought 5 (yes – FIVE) audiobooks on PR and message-creation. So you’ve cost me, Lois!! But in a nice way. 😊🤗
Lois Kirtlan this was so motivational for me. Filled me with new excitement about this journey of starting out self employed.
Hello Lois just wanted to reach out and say thank you for your talk today about your business, it was really insightful and inspiring and really helped with not only planning my current assignment but future careers within business.
Thank you for another great morning and I loved your presentation, Lois 
. So much insight into how you’ve developed a thriving business and lots of interesting and creative tips and ideas we can all incorporate into our own businesses. Lovely to catch up with everyone too 
x
Fantastic meeting – very grateful for great conversations and a fab presentation from Lois Kirtlan – inspiring, plenty of food for thought!!