Our Learning and Development Specialists
Sally Bishop
An enthusiastic and highly focused sales, management and development professional who has a proven track record in identifying organisational needs, applying practical solutions and designing and delivering high quality motivational training and coaching. Sally has qualifications in Life Coaching, Performance Coaching and NLP.
Sally has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
An enthusiastic and highly focused sales, management and development professional who has a proven track record in identifying organisational needs, applying practical solutions and designing and delivering high quality motivational training and coaching. Sally has qualifications in Life Coaching, Performance Coaching and NLP.
Sally has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
Piers Carter
Piers's passion in his working life is people and behaviour. He works with groups from a range of backgrounds from the Public Sector to blue chip organisations, specifically in the area of teams, leadership and effective performance. He specialises in a subtle combination of psychometric tests, behavioural workshops, challenging business simulations and community projects. Piers is up to date on the latest human resource and development theories including Coaching, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Strength Deployment Inventory, NLP and Experiential Learning. During the last 10 years Piers has worked directly with and supporting other training consultancies for clients such as PepsiCo, Equitas, Costain, Laings, Rabo Bank, Capital One, Mencap, British Airways, Queen's Medical Centre, TransPennine Express and Barclays Bank to name but a few.
Prior to this, Piers was a full time civilian trainer with the Home Office based at a National Training Centre. In this role he was responsible for developing leaders and teams within various Police response units. The priority was to create adaptable and effective teams and leaders to operate under a variety of very challenging situations. Most recently Piers is combining the development needs of his clients with real community projects. By selecting the right project partner in the local community a business can meet their Corporate and Social Responsibility commitments and have a unique leadership development experience. These kinds of projects create much more buy in from participants because they deliver real, tangible results for local communities rather than being purely a management training exercise.
Piers has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Piers's passion in his working life is people and behaviour. He works with groups from a range of backgrounds from the Public Sector to blue chip organisations, specifically in the area of teams, leadership and effective performance. He specialises in a subtle combination of psychometric tests, behavioural workshops, challenging business simulations and community projects. Piers is up to date on the latest human resource and development theories including Coaching, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Strength Deployment Inventory, NLP and Experiential Learning. During the last 10 years Piers has worked directly with and supporting other training consultancies for clients such as PepsiCo, Equitas, Costain, Laings, Rabo Bank, Capital One, Mencap, British Airways, Queen's Medical Centre, TransPennine Express and Barclays Bank to name but a few.
Prior to this, Piers was a full time civilian trainer with the Home Office based at a National Training Centre. In this role he was responsible for developing leaders and teams within various Police response units. The priority was to create adaptable and effective teams and leaders to operate under a variety of very challenging situations. Most recently Piers is combining the development needs of his clients with real community projects. By selecting the right project partner in the local community a business can meet their Corporate and Social Responsibility commitments and have a unique leadership development experience. These kinds of projects create much more buy in from participants because they deliver real, tangible results for local communities rather than being purely a management training exercise.
Piers has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Jennifer Clark MA (Hons)
Jennifer has 18 years of consultancy experience in the areas of Change Management, Human Resource consulting and business coaching. She set up her own consultancy practice in 2002 at the same time as undertaking a voluntary position at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital to conduct psychological research in to children with Tourettes Syndrome. During the past 18 years, she has worked extensively with clients on a wide range of people-focused work to improve organisation performance. Typical assignments included the design and application of competency models, leadership development and managing succession with a strong emphasis on Emotional Intelligence and 360 degree feedback. Jennifer has delivered training programmes and development workshops in a variety of areas including leadership styles and climate, emotional Intelligence, interviewing skills, coaching skills and delivering feedback. She has developed and implemented people management structures, processes and behaviours to support organisational change and performance improvement and has used a range of approaches to attract, develop and retain employees in line with required organisational capabilities.
More recently Jennifer's main focus has been on Leadership Development, she executes this both at the individual level via one-to-one coaching and at the group /team level via leadership development programmes.
Jennifer has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Jennifer has 18 years of consultancy experience in the areas of Change Management, Human Resource consulting and business coaching. She set up her own consultancy practice in 2002 at the same time as undertaking a voluntary position at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital to conduct psychological research in to children with Tourettes Syndrome. During the past 18 years, she has worked extensively with clients on a wide range of people-focused work to improve organisation performance. Typical assignments included the design and application of competency models, leadership development and managing succession with a strong emphasis on Emotional Intelligence and 360 degree feedback. Jennifer has delivered training programmes and development workshops in a variety of areas including leadership styles and climate, emotional Intelligence, interviewing skills, coaching skills and delivering feedback. She has developed and implemented people management structures, processes and behaviours to support organisational change and performance improvement and has used a range of approaches to attract, develop and retain employees in line with required organisational capabilities.
More recently Jennifer's main focus has been on Leadership Development, she executes this both at the individual level via one-to-one coaching and at the group /team level via leadership development programmes.
Jennifer has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Lucy Close
Lucy is a skilled facilitator and has worked on a number of large-scale projects involving change management and interpersonal development. Coaching and mentoring of key individuals is often undertaken with the use of Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and also the William Bridges "Transition Management" programme. Lucy has an excellent understanding of the dynamics of communication, whether face-to-face or on large-scale via corporate PR/Advertising. She builds relationships with clients who provide her with a thorough understanding of business goals; this provides the opportunity to facilitate a comprehensive communication strategy. Lucy's warmth and humour are two of her key strengths. She is able to guide people through difficult situations with sensitivity and tact.
Lucy has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Lucy is a skilled facilitator and has worked on a number of large-scale projects involving change management and interpersonal development. Coaching and mentoring of key individuals is often undertaken with the use of Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and also the William Bridges "Transition Management" programme. Lucy has an excellent understanding of the dynamics of communication, whether face-to-face or on large-scale via corporate PR/Advertising. She builds relationships with clients who provide her with a thorough understanding of business goals; this provides the opportunity to facilitate a comprehensive communication strategy. Lucy's warmth and humour are two of her key strengths. She is able to guide people through difficult situations with sensitivity and tact.
Lucy has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Lucy Czakan BSc Hons
Lucy's coaching and facilitation stems from an absolute belief in the potential of her clients and a first-hand understanding of the pressures of corporate and entrepreneurial life. She specialises in coaching and facilitation for high performance. As well as working 1 to 1 with her clients she runs leadership development and team building events and seminars. In terms of her own career, Lucy has extensive international business experience working for Unilever in marketing, where she was involved in managing brands such as PG Tips, Colmans and Flora through several large scale takeovers and mergers, leading multi-million pound innovation projects and managing a Europe wide tea and health initiative. In doing this, what Lucy most enjoyed was the interaction with people and the thrill of seeing individuals and teams around her grow, develop and achieve success. Before that, Lucy worked for Marlow Foods a partnership formed between RHM and ICI to market a food concept called Quorn, where she worked in partnership with cynical retailers to launch a range of quality products into Waitrose, Safeway and Tesco. Lucy has benefited from extensive training and development in her 18 year career having been with large organisations. In her pursuit to deliver the highest standards for her clients, she continues to prioritise her own personal development and training to ensure that her clients benefit from the latest thinking, tools and techniques.
Lucy has been coaching for over 6 years and has a wide portfolio of clients including Qinetiq, Audi, Volkswagen Group, SEAT, Barclays, Friends Provident, Kraft Jacob Suchard, London Business School, University of Reading, Oxford Brookes University, Environment Agency, GE Life, Mace and Radio Aire.
Lucy has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2004.
Lucy's coaching and facilitation stems from an absolute belief in the potential of her clients and a first-hand understanding of the pressures of corporate and entrepreneurial life. She specialises in coaching and facilitation for high performance. As well as working 1 to 1 with her clients she runs leadership development and team building events and seminars. In terms of her own career, Lucy has extensive international business experience working for Unilever in marketing, where she was involved in managing brands such as PG Tips, Colmans and Flora through several large scale takeovers and mergers, leading multi-million pound innovation projects and managing a Europe wide tea and health initiative. In doing this, what Lucy most enjoyed was the interaction with people and the thrill of seeing individuals and teams around her grow, develop and achieve success. Before that, Lucy worked for Marlow Foods a partnership formed between RHM and ICI to market a food concept called Quorn, where she worked in partnership with cynical retailers to launch a range of quality products into Waitrose, Safeway and Tesco. Lucy has benefited from extensive training and development in her 18 year career having been with large organisations. In her pursuit to deliver the highest standards for her clients, she continues to prioritise her own personal development and training to ensure that her clients benefit from the latest thinking, tools and techniques.
Lucy has been coaching for over 6 years and has a wide portfolio of clients including Qinetiq, Audi, Volkswagen Group, SEAT, Barclays, Friends Provident, Kraft Jacob Suchard, London Business School, University of Reading, Oxford Brookes University, Environment Agency, GE Life, Mace and Radio Aire.
Lucy has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2004.
Helga Davies MSc. BSc (Hons)
Helga Davies has been consulting on the theme of maximising human development within business for over 14 years. A proficient interpersonal skills trainer and facilitator she has worked with a number of different organisations within public and private sectors. Her specialism is in improving the strategic and operational effectiveness of managerial teams to manage the implementation and sustainment of change. Confident working with Directors or first line leaders she has a proven track record in raising the profile and capability of leadership teams to deliver effective business results. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is currently undertaking research into how different team dynamics support or sabotage the high performance of teams.
Helga has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Helga Davies has been consulting on the theme of maximising human development within business for over 14 years. A proficient interpersonal skills trainer and facilitator she has worked with a number of different organisations within public and private sectors. Her specialism is in improving the strategic and operational effectiveness of managerial teams to manage the implementation and sustainment of change. Confident working with Directors or first line leaders she has a proven track record in raising the profile and capability of leadership teams to deliver effective business results. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is currently undertaking research into how different team dynamics support or sabotage the high performance of teams.
Helga has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Janet Groves
Janet worked for over 20 years for a leading Finance and Credit Card Company at a senior management level. She is an experienced and confident HR Professional excelling in change management, team leadership, team building and coaching skills. She has proven practical skills at leading, developing and motivating teams together with experience in project and process management. Polished written and verbal communications include presentation and facilitation to staff at all levels including Board of Directors.
Major projects have included Leadership Management Programmes for the top 300 Managers in Barclay Bank, Assessment and Redundancy Programmes for BT and Zurich Insurance and Management Development Programmes for top 200 managers in Barclaycard.
Janet is a dedicated and passionate believer of personal and team development. She is a qualified Occupational Psychologist at level A and B and her qualifications include Morrisby's Preference Questionnaire, 16 PF, FIROB and MBTI. She continually runs the accredited course for the British Association of Medical Management which includes the use of Thomas Kilman's Leadership styles. As part of her own development and desire to put something back into society, she is currently studying to become a Justice of the Peace. Janet holds a Diploma in Management, ACIB and CIPD).
Janet has been a member of City Challenge since 2001.
Janet worked for over 20 years for a leading Finance and Credit Card Company at a senior management level. She is an experienced and confident HR Professional excelling in change management, team leadership, team building and coaching skills. She has proven practical skills at leading, developing and motivating teams together with experience in project and process management. Polished written and verbal communications include presentation and facilitation to staff at all levels including Board of Directors.
Major projects have included Leadership Management Programmes for the top 300 Managers in Barclay Bank, Assessment and Redundancy Programmes for BT and Zurich Insurance and Management Development Programmes for top 200 managers in Barclaycard.
Janet is a dedicated and passionate believer of personal and team development. She is a qualified Occupational Psychologist at level A and B and her qualifications include Morrisby's Preference Questionnaire, 16 PF, FIROB and MBTI. She continually runs the accredited course for the British Association of Medical Management which includes the use of Thomas Kilman's Leadership styles. As part of her own development and desire to put something back into society, she is currently studying to become a Justice of the Peace. Janet holds a Diploma in Management, ACIB and CIPD).
Janet has been a member of City Challenge since 2001.
Alison Hallford BA (Hons)
Alison is an experienced training professional who provides high quality training and development to a range of clients from small businesses to large multinational companies, private and public sector. She specialises in people and management development, leadership skills, and facilitation. She also has considerable experience in the design and delivery of a variety of workshops, programmes and development centres to enhance the skill, knowledge and attitude at all levels within the business environment. Alison has a BA (Hons) in Economics and Sociology, is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, NLP Master Practitioner, qualified Business Coach. She is also certified to the British Psychological Society certificate level B including the Strength Deployment Inventory and MBTI. Alison runs Leadership and Management Programmes accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Areas of expertise include Leadership, Team Building, Motivation, Team Leader Development, Communication, Facilitation Skills and Coaching.
Alison has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Alison is an experienced training professional who provides high quality training and development to a range of clients from small businesses to large multinational companies, private and public sector. She specialises in people and management development, leadership skills, and facilitation. She also has considerable experience in the design and delivery of a variety of workshops, programmes and development centres to enhance the skill, knowledge and attitude at all levels within the business environment. Alison has a BA (Hons) in Economics and Sociology, is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, NLP Master Practitioner, qualified Business Coach. She is also certified to the British Psychological Society certificate level B including the Strength Deployment Inventory and MBTI. Alison runs Leadership and Management Programmes accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Areas of expertise include Leadership, Team Building, Motivation, Team Leader Development, Communication, Facilitation Skills and Coaching.
Alison has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Doral Hayes BA (Hons) FRSH
Doral is a versatile and compelling training and development professional who enjoys creating innovative and effective training solutions. With a proven track record in applied communication, customer service, stress management and team building she is experienced within both the corporate and non-profit sector. She also has considerable experience in one to one feedback, coaching and supervision. Doral's strengths are her energy and enthusiasm for learning and seeing others reach their potential. Doral divides her time between working with City Challenge and working as Operations and Training Manager for a national training company. Doral is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Promotion of Health as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing where is currently completing her Professional Diploma in Marketing. Doral holds a BA (Hons) in Health and Community Studies, a Diploma in Performance Management for Business, a Licensed Practitioner in NLP, and a Registered User of the MBTI. Doral also holds Certificates in Counselling Skills and Theory.
Doral has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Doral is a versatile and compelling training and development professional who enjoys creating innovative and effective training solutions. With a proven track record in applied communication, customer service, stress management and team building she is experienced within both the corporate and non-profit sector. She also has considerable experience in one to one feedback, coaching and supervision. Doral's strengths are her energy and enthusiasm for learning and seeing others reach their potential. Doral divides her time between working with City Challenge and working as Operations and Training Manager for a national training company. Doral is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Promotion of Health as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing where is currently completing her Professional Diploma in Marketing. Doral holds a BA (Hons) in Health and Community Studies, a Diploma in Performance Management for Business, a Licensed Practitioner in NLP, and a Registered User of the MBTI. Doral also holds Certificates in Counselling Skills and Theory.
Doral has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Stacey Holden BA (Hons) MICCH
Stacey's career began in Logistics, improving business processes and supply chain relationships, before embarking on a career in training and organisation development with the Unipart Group. She has 12 years experience of providing high quality facilitation, practical training (within the area of interpersonal skills, communication, process and change management) and creative coaching at all levels of an organisation and across a variety of industries, sectors and cultures.
Stacey challenges individuals and teams to enhance their skills, knowledge and intuitive awareness to perform at their best. Her skill is in her ability to work with people at the point of greatest need, where issues are addressed in real time and learning is experiential. She has a degree in Business Studies, a qualification in complementary therapy and is accredited to work with Belbin Team Roles. Her style of delivery is lively and engaging.
Stacey has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Stacey's career began in Logistics, improving business processes and supply chain relationships, before embarking on a career in training and organisation development with the Unipart Group. She has 12 years experience of providing high quality facilitation, practical training (within the area of interpersonal skills, communication, process and change management) and creative coaching at all levels of an organisation and across a variety of industries, sectors and cultures.
Stacey challenges individuals and teams to enhance their skills, knowledge and intuitive awareness to perform at their best. Her skill is in her ability to work with people at the point of greatest need, where issues are addressed in real time and learning is experiential. She has a degree in Business Studies, a qualification in complementary therapy and is accredited to work with Belbin Team Roles. Her style of delivery is lively and engaging.
Stacey has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Kate Howat BA, MSc
Kate has 20 years experience in a training, management development and organisational development working with organisations in the public and private sectors to improve business performance through the effective development and management of people. Recent projects have included the facilitation of a leadership programme as part of a major change initiative in the public sector and the design and delivery of a customer care programme which won the CIPD People Management annual award. With an MSc in Managerial Psychology Kate has developed expertise in a range of areas including selection and assessment, occupational stress, diversity, workplace counselling, employee surveys and career development. A skilled coach and facilitator Kate is particularly interested in helping teams and individuals maximise their potential and has worked with managers and leaders at all levels. Kate is qualified to British Psychological Society levels A and B in occupational testing and is a certified member of the Association of Project Managers.
Kate joined the City Challenge team in 2007.
Kate has 20 years experience in a training, management development and organisational development working with organisations in the public and private sectors to improve business performance through the effective development and management of people. Recent projects have included the facilitation of a leadership programme as part of a major change initiative in the public sector and the design and delivery of a customer care programme which won the CIPD People Management annual award. With an MSc in Managerial Psychology Kate has developed expertise in a range of areas including selection and assessment, occupational stress, diversity, workplace counselling, employee surveys and career development. A skilled coach and facilitator Kate is particularly interested in helping teams and individuals maximise their potential and has worked with managers and leaders at all levels. Kate is qualified to British Psychological Society levels A and B in occupational testing and is a certified member of the Association of Project Managers.
Kate joined the City Challenge team in 2007.
Julie Johns BA (Hons)
Julie is an experienced training professional who provides high quality training & development. She specialises in people development, teambuilding, leadership skills and coaching individuals on becoming more effective. She also has considerable experience in the design and delivery of a variety of workshops to enhance the skills, knowledge and attitude at all levels within the business environment. She has a BA (Hons) in Communication Studies, Diploma in Training Management, NLP Practitioners Certificate, Diploma in Business Coaching, Certificate in Transactional Analysis and a Certificate in Stress Management. Julie is also an approved centre for the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) offering qualifications in management and coaching. In addition areas of expertise include: Coaching/Mentoring skills; Personal Effectiveness/ Life Balance; Design and Delivery of Leadership programmes at all levels; Management Development i.e. Assertiveness, Meeting Management, Negotiation and Influencing.
Julie has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Julie is an experienced training professional who provides high quality training & development. She specialises in people development, teambuilding, leadership skills and coaching individuals on becoming more effective. She also has considerable experience in the design and delivery of a variety of workshops to enhance the skills, knowledge and attitude at all levels within the business environment. She has a BA (Hons) in Communication Studies, Diploma in Training Management, NLP Practitioners Certificate, Diploma in Business Coaching, Certificate in Transactional Analysis and a Certificate in Stress Management. Julie is also an approved centre for the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) offering qualifications in management and coaching. In addition areas of expertise include: Coaching/Mentoring skills; Personal Effectiveness/ Life Balance; Design and Delivery of Leadership programmes at all levels; Management Development i.e. Assertiveness, Meeting Management, Negotiation and Influencing.
Julie has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2001.
Nicola Laverton MCIPD B.Ed (Hons)
Nicola's HR career spans 20 years HR management and consultancy in the blue chip, service and public sectors. With a track record implementing a range of HR strategies and processes at the team and organisational level to enable performance improvement, she is adept and enjoys enabling individuals to gain self- awareness and insight. Nicola has been especially involved in leadership development, change management and organisational development. She has extensive experience in coaching and team development to achieve insight, growth and change on a personal level. She was worked on 360 degree feedback, coaching and talent development programmes across European teams.
She is qualified to use a range of psychometric tools and is an Ambassador and judge for the National Training Awards.
Nicola has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Nicola's HR career spans 20 years HR management and consultancy in the blue chip, service and public sectors. With a track record implementing a range of HR strategies and processes at the team and organisational level to enable performance improvement, she is adept and enjoys enabling individuals to gain self- awareness and insight. Nicola has been especially involved in leadership development, change management and organisational development. She has extensive experience in coaching and team development to achieve insight, growth and change on a personal level. She was worked on 360 degree feedback, coaching and talent development programmes across European teams.
She is qualified to use a range of psychometric tools and is an Ambassador and judge for the National Training Awards.
Nicola has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Nicki Lecky-Thompson
Nicki is a team turnaround consultant and trainer specialising in developing individuals, teams and managers behavioural skills to generate passion and maximise their effectiveness. She has over 17 years experience working for and with blue chip organisations; over 8 years experience of training and facilitation with 5 years experience of consultancy and providing bespoke solutions for both corporate not for profit organisations. As a master practitioner in NLP all Nicki's training sessions and workshops are underpinned with NLP techniques and apply accelerated learning principles. Nicki's strengths are her enthusiasm and energy and her passion for learning solutions generating long term results and she therefore endeavours to provide solutions that can easily and appropriately be applied back in the workplace and are tailor made to specifically meet the clients' objectives. Her particular areas of expertise include: Management and Leadership skills; Team Development; Generating effective relationships; Communication skills including presentation skills; Train the Trainer and Coaching.
Nicki has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Nicki is a team turnaround consultant and trainer specialising in developing individuals, teams and managers behavioural skills to generate passion and maximise their effectiveness. She has over 17 years experience working for and with blue chip organisations; over 8 years experience of training and facilitation with 5 years experience of consultancy and providing bespoke solutions for both corporate not for profit organisations. As a master practitioner in NLP all Nicki's training sessions and workshops are underpinned with NLP techniques and apply accelerated learning principles. Nicki's strengths are her enthusiasm and energy and her passion for learning solutions generating long term results and she therefore endeavours to provide solutions that can easily and appropriately be applied back in the workplace and are tailor made to specifically meet the clients' objectives. Her particular areas of expertise include: Management and Leadership skills; Team Development; Generating effective relationships; Communication skills including presentation skills; Train the Trainer and Coaching.
Nicki has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Mark Lindsey
Mark is a consummate professional with a wide knowledge and experience of delivering team building events, leadership programmes and conference activities. He has worked with an impressive list of clients at a variety locations throughout the world over the past 10 years. During that time he has designed a huge array of events that have challenged, developed and inspired many organisations. Many of the events draw heavily on the concept of experiential learning i.e. that we learn best when we experience something first hand.
Always keen to develop his own leadership skills, Mark has led over 15 expeditions to challenging locations such as Nepal, Borneo and East Africa. During 1990 and 1991 Mark was a member of the Great Britain Bobsleigh Team."
Mark has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Mark is a consummate professional with a wide knowledge and experience of delivering team building events, leadership programmes and conference activities. He has worked with an impressive list of clients at a variety locations throughout the world over the past 10 years. During that time he has designed a huge array of events that have challenged, developed and inspired many organisations. Many of the events draw heavily on the concept of experiential learning i.e. that we learn best when we experience something first hand.
Always keen to develop his own leadership skills, Mark has led over 15 expeditions to challenging locations such as Nepal, Borneo and East Africa. During 1990 and 1991 Mark was a member of the Great Britain Bobsleigh Team."
Mark has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Ian McLaughlin
Ian has over 12 years professional experience designing and delivering development and assessment programmes across all business sectors. His three years with London Regional Transport, that included managing the training and assessment of graduates, has been further complemented with development positions with Adventure International and The Prince's Trust. Ian also gained considerable experience with the development charity Raleigh International, where he was responsible for the assessment and training process for both Staff and participants prior to expedition.
Specialising in working with people and teams, Ian is capable of delivering training initiatives that explore team performance, leadership, change and coaching. Passionately believing in the power and effectiveness of learning by experiencing, experimenting and reflecting, he brings to all programmes a substantial practical experience of team development, learning styles and group dynamics. He has completed the IPD diploma and is professionally recognised by the British Psychological Society to administer the MBTI and 16PF psychometric measures. He also holds a Diploma in Performance Coaching.
Ian has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Ian has over 12 years professional experience designing and delivering development and assessment programmes across all business sectors. His three years with London Regional Transport, that included managing the training and assessment of graduates, has been further complemented with development positions with Adventure International and The Prince's Trust. Ian also gained considerable experience with the development charity Raleigh International, where he was responsible for the assessment and training process for both Staff and participants prior to expedition.
Specialising in working with people and teams, Ian is capable of delivering training initiatives that explore team performance, leadership, change and coaching. Passionately believing in the power and effectiveness of learning by experiencing, experimenting and reflecting, he brings to all programmes a substantial practical experience of team development, learning styles and group dynamics. He has completed the IPD diploma and is professionally recognised by the British Psychological Society to administer the MBTI and 16PF psychometric measures. He also holds a Diploma in Performance Coaching.
Ian has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Liz McPhail
Liz comes to City Challenge from a background of Training and Personal Development. A specialist in sales and customer-focused programmes, Liz's early career in hospitality, customer services, active field sales roles and call centre management, provides her with an excellent foundation for her work as a trainer and coach. Liz has a Diploma in Management studies, a Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, is a Practitioner in NLP (currently studying for her Masters) and is qualified in the use of several psychometric tools, including MBTI, SDI, Thomas Kilman and Mental Toughness. Liz is passionate about improving individual and team performance through the identification and development behavioural preferences. As an experienced assessor, she encourages delegates to push back their perceptions and explore new perspectives.
Liz has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Liz comes to City Challenge from a background of Training and Personal Development. A specialist in sales and customer-focused programmes, Liz's early career in hospitality, customer services, active field sales roles and call centre management, provides her with an excellent foundation for her work as a trainer and coach. Liz has a Diploma in Management studies, a Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, is a Practitioner in NLP (currently studying for her Masters) and is qualified in the use of several psychometric tools, including MBTI, SDI, Thomas Kilman and Mental Toughness. Liz is passionate about improving individual and team performance through the identification and development behavioural preferences. As an experienced assessor, she encourages delegates to push back their perceptions and explore new perspectives.
Liz has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Vanessa Naldrett
Prior to spending the last 12 years as a training professional, Vanessa was a highly respected HR specialist within a blue chip food retailer. A supportive, flexible and innovative trainer, coach and facilitator, Vanessa brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to assist delegates through the learning cycle. Having worked in retail, telecommunications, call centre and business-to-business environments her expertise lies in both management development and human resource management. Vanessa's areas of specialisation include recruitment & selection, coaching, performance management, communication and behavioural change. She has run company wide projects on performance management, middle management, personal development skills and interviewing and assessment skills. Vanessa encourages all delegates to contribute to discussions and exercises in a way that they feel comfortable, allowing them to experiment and learn through their experiences. She challenges delegates encouraging them to think for themselves and to come up with alternative solutions.
Vanessa possesses a HND in Business & Finance, is qualified in the use of several psychometric tools that include 16pf, MBTI and Thomas Kilman, is a Practitioner in NLP, possesses a Diploma in Business Coaching and is TAP qualified. She is passionate about improving individual, team and business performance through the identification and development of behavioural preferences. Vanessa is also experienced in the design and delivery of Assessment and Development Centres.
Vanessa has been with the City Challenge team since 2005.
Prior to spending the last 12 years as a training professional, Vanessa was a highly respected HR specialist within a blue chip food retailer. A supportive, flexible and innovative trainer, coach and facilitator, Vanessa brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to assist delegates through the learning cycle. Having worked in retail, telecommunications, call centre and business-to-business environments her expertise lies in both management development and human resource management. Vanessa's areas of specialisation include recruitment & selection, coaching, performance management, communication and behavioural change. She has run company wide projects on performance management, middle management, personal development skills and interviewing and assessment skills. Vanessa encourages all delegates to contribute to discussions and exercises in a way that they feel comfortable, allowing them to experiment and learn through their experiences. She challenges delegates encouraging them to think for themselves and to come up with alternative solutions.
Vanessa possesses a HND in Business & Finance, is qualified in the use of several psychometric tools that include 16pf, MBTI and Thomas Kilman, is a Practitioner in NLP, possesses a Diploma in Business Coaching and is TAP qualified. She is passionate about improving individual, team and business performance through the identification and development of behavioural preferences. Vanessa is also experienced in the design and delivery of Assessment and Development Centres.
Vanessa has been with the City Challenge team since 2005.
Grainne Ridge BA (Hons)
Grainne is a highly regarded trainer, facilitator and learning designer, specialising in bespoke sales programmes. She currently works with a broad range of clients, including technology, finance and manufacturing companies, in addition to a major charity. Prior to this she enjoyed a successful career at the Mars corporation, where she held responsibility for management facilitation, learning frameworks, functional sales skills training and personal development, delivered through a team of 6-7 people. She has facilitated and trained groups of 125 people and, at the other end of the spectrum, has coached 1-1, working from Director level to Key Account Salespeople. Grainne is also a NLP Practitioner. Areas of expertise include: functional sales skills, line Management excellence, facilitation, learning design and consultancy and personal effectiveness.
Grainne has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
Grainne is a highly regarded trainer, facilitator and learning designer, specialising in bespoke sales programmes. She currently works with a broad range of clients, including technology, finance and manufacturing companies, in addition to a major charity. Prior to this she enjoyed a successful career at the Mars corporation, where she held responsibility for management facilitation, learning frameworks, functional sales skills training and personal development, delivered through a team of 6-7 people. She has facilitated and trained groups of 125 people and, at the other end of the spectrum, has coached 1-1, working from Director level to Key Account Salespeople. Grainne is also a NLP Practitioner. Areas of expertise include: functional sales skills, line Management excellence, facilitation, learning design and consultancy and personal effectiveness.
Grainne has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
Elizabeth Smith MA, MSc, MCIPD
Liz has over 20 years' experience in human resources, training and organisational development and is used to working at all levels within organisations. Her experience includes managing and delivering a wide range of learning and development projects, and designing and facilitating group and team events using a variety of approaches and techniques. She has had responsibility for running a training function, and formulating and leading cross-company training and development strategy, including management and leadership development. For a number of years she also worked as an HR generalist, handling recruitment, employee relations, performance management and policy development matters. Her experiences spans both the private and the public sector and she has also spent time living and working in Germany and in the USA.
The focus of her current work as a consultant is enabling individuals and teams to achieve more through learning and development, both for themselves and for their organisations. She does this through offering a mix of consulting, training, coaching and facilitation, depending on what the circumstances require. She is also a qualified MBTI practitioner. Her style combines in-depth expertise with an ability to really understand and 'get under the skin' of people and situations - and then help them to come up with sound and realistic approaches. She works in a collegiate and inclusive way, and provides a balance of support and challenge, thereby enabling people to work together effectively, and to deliver against demanding timelines and objectives.
Liz has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Liz has over 20 years' experience in human resources, training and organisational development and is used to working at all levels within organisations. Her experience includes managing and delivering a wide range of learning and development projects, and designing and facilitating group and team events using a variety of approaches and techniques. She has had responsibility for running a training function, and formulating and leading cross-company training and development strategy, including management and leadership development. For a number of years she also worked as an HR generalist, handling recruitment, employee relations, performance management and policy development matters. Her experiences spans both the private and the public sector and she has also spent time living and working in Germany and in the USA.
The focus of her current work as a consultant is enabling individuals and teams to achieve more through learning and development, both for themselves and for their organisations. She does this through offering a mix of consulting, training, coaching and facilitation, depending on what the circumstances require. She is also a qualified MBTI practitioner. Her style combines in-depth expertise with an ability to really understand and 'get under the skin' of people and situations - and then help them to come up with sound and realistic approaches. She works in a collegiate and inclusive way, and provides a balance of support and challenge, thereby enabling people to work together effectively, and to deliver against demanding timelines and objectives.
Liz has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2006.
Julie Thornton
An enthusiastic and inspiring training professional, Julie has worked in the field of training and development for 20 + years now and has a sound background in teaching and learning. Her career began within the Hotel and Catering industry where team building and team development were critical to operational success. Since leaving her role as Training Manager for a nationwide restaurant chain Julie has successfully established herself as a training consultant, working on various projects across industry, and utilising her operational experience to design and deliver Management and Supervisory programmes in sectors including retail, banking, leisure, call centres and education. Her training experience includes involvement and leading of programmes across the full range of 'soft skills' including Leading Teams, Developing People, Presentation and Training Skills, Assertiveness Training, Persuading and Influencing, and Recruitment and Selection. She is an excellent coach and recognised programme leader of Coaching and Mentoring Programmes within the Institute of Leadership and Management as well as being involved in delivering a wide range of ILM qualification led programmes. Julie is passionate about developing others to recognise their strengths and achieve their true potential and takes great pride in inspiring those she works with to challenge their self imposed limitations and recognise their true abilities to succeed. Julie is currently involved in a team development programme designed around the principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and is keen to continue to develop her own knowledge of this field further.
Julie adapts extremely well to different environments, cultures and industries and thrives on the variety of clients she works with, from Nationwide Building Society, to Marks and Spencer, Biffa Waste Management, Vodafone, British Gas, along with Education Local Authorities and various other retail and leisure organisations.
Julie has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
An enthusiastic and inspiring training professional, Julie has worked in the field of training and development for 20 + years now and has a sound background in teaching and learning. Her career began within the Hotel and Catering industry where team building and team development were critical to operational success. Since leaving her role as Training Manager for a nationwide restaurant chain Julie has successfully established herself as a training consultant, working on various projects across industry, and utilising her operational experience to design and deliver Management and Supervisory programmes in sectors including retail, banking, leisure, call centres and education. Her training experience includes involvement and leading of programmes across the full range of 'soft skills' including Leading Teams, Developing People, Presentation and Training Skills, Assertiveness Training, Persuading and Influencing, and Recruitment and Selection. She is an excellent coach and recognised programme leader of Coaching and Mentoring Programmes within the Institute of Leadership and Management as well as being involved in delivering a wide range of ILM qualification led programmes. Julie is passionate about developing others to recognise their strengths and achieve their true potential and takes great pride in inspiring those she works with to challenge their self imposed limitations and recognise their true abilities to succeed. Julie is currently involved in a team development programme designed around the principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and is keen to continue to develop her own knowledge of this field further.
Julie adapts extremely well to different environments, cultures and industries and thrives on the variety of clients she works with, from Nationwide Building Society, to Marks and Spencer, Biffa Waste Management, Vodafone, British Gas, along with Education Local Authorities and various other retail and leisure organisations.
Julie has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2007.
Steve Wade
An experienced manager and facilitator of personnel and professional development programmes, up to an including senior executive level. A particular interest is the management of corporate community involvement and related learning. Steve has delivered experiential programmes for groups ranging from apprentices to senior executives. He is widely experienced in community based team projects and in the use of the outdoors. He is a popular, person centered facilitator with an excellent theoretical background and a love of working with groups to enable the transfer of remote learning into local action. His wider experience includes a range of "soft skills" work including interpersonal skills and communication, feedback, trainer training, presentation skills and one-to-one coaching. Earlier experience includes youth development work and mainstream education.
Steve has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
An experienced manager and facilitator of personnel and professional development programmes, up to an including senior executive level. A particular interest is the management of corporate community involvement and related learning. Steve has delivered experiential programmes for groups ranging from apprentices to senior executives. He is widely experienced in community based team projects and in the use of the outdoors. He is a popular, person centered facilitator with an excellent theoretical background and a love of working with groups to enable the transfer of remote learning into local action. His wider experience includes a range of "soft skills" work including interpersonal skills and communication, feedback, trainer training, presentation skills and one-to-one coaching. Earlier experience includes youth development work and mainstream education.
Steve has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2003.
Catrin Weston BSc, MA, MCIPD
Catrin's HR career spans over 20 years, during which time she has held a range of generalist, management development, and latterly organisation development roles. Her experience has largely been within the private, blue chip sector, including retail, private health care and financial services organisations. Catrin has an excellent track record of enabling individual managers, teams and organisations as a whole to improve their performance. She has been able to achieve this through her insight and skill in designing and implementing appropriate interventions. These have ranged from organisation wide employee surveys and performance management processes to management skill assessment and development programmes, to individual management coaching. Level B qualified in the use of psychometrics, Catrin is able to draw on a number of instruments including MBTI, CPI and OPQ to support her work.
Catrin has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.
Catrin's HR career spans over 20 years, during which time she has held a range of generalist, management development, and latterly organisation development roles. Her experience has largely been within the private, blue chip sector, including retail, private health care and financial services organisations. Catrin has an excellent track record of enabling individual managers, teams and organisations as a whole to improve their performance. She has been able to achieve this through her insight and skill in designing and implementing appropriate interventions. These have ranged from organisation wide employee surveys and performance management processes to management skill assessment and development programmes, to individual management coaching. Level B qualified in the use of psychometrics, Catrin is able to draw on a number of instruments including MBTI, CPI and OPQ to support her work.
Catrin has been a member of the City Challenge team since 2002.