Bill Blakemore
Mr. Bill Blakemore is an independent business consultant and lawyer, who now specializes in developing and delivering management training programmes within his specialist areas including Procurement, Contracts, Tendering, Negotiation, Corporate Governance and Sustainability.
Bill was a senior manager for 18 years with British Telecommunications plc (BT), working in sales, marketing, business development and strategy. Clients included UK Central Government departments such as the Home Office and Department of Education and major corporates such as McDonalds, John Lewis Partnership and Harrods. He also was responsible within BT for relations with EU institutions such as the European Commission and members of the European Parliament.
After BT, Bill established and ran the SPARKS Network on behalf of local authority clients in London. This was an EU-focused research, influencing and communications programme focused on reforming European cross-border law enforcement in relation to transport. Bill also worked as an evaluator and expert for the European Commission.
In his early career Bill was a practicing barrister (a British advocate lawyer).
Bill has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Bristol, professional qualifications as a barrister from the Inns of Court School of Law and a Master of Science degree in Business Management from London’s City University Business School. Bill is also an associate of CIPS, the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.
Over the last 10 years Bill has designed and delivered many open and bespoke training courses in his areas of specialism. Courses have been delivered in-person or, more recently, via Microsoft Teams, Zoom or other virtual platforms.
Bill’s clients have included the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy, Ministry of Finance, Ghana, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Cameroon Oil Transportation Company, Presidential Guard Command, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait Fund, Angola LNG, Saudi Aramco, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating BV, Kazakhstan, Dragon Oil, Turkmenistan, Addax Petroleum, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Port de Djibouti.
Pippa Blakemore
Pippa Blakemore set up her international management consultancy business in 1985, more than 36 years ago.
Pippa’s academic background is Pure Mathematic, Applied Mathematics, Physics and Economics. Pippa studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Bristol University and graduated in Politics. The following year Pippa completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in History. Pippa conducted research on the European Institutions and her writing and editing work was extensively published in books and articles.
Pippa worked in a range of organizations before setting up her own business as a consultant. These included a global food distributor; a management consultancy firm; a public relations consultancy and lecturing in a college on Government and Economics.
Pippa’s consultancy work has three inter-related characteristics. Firstly, advising on creating and implementing strategy. Secondly, as an Interim Director, working within organisations to solve problems. Thirdly, delivering relevant training based on her first-hand experience in the real world of facing all the challenges which are faced by her delegates, in all areas of leadership, management skills, public relations and marketing. She does not just deliver academic theory but gives real-life practical and relevant advice and suggestions which are immediately applicable when delegates return to work.
Pippa has worked for more than 250 International and UK organisations all over the world, including central, regional and local government, professional service firms, global corporates, not-for-profit organisations, academic institutions and charities.
Pippa has written more than 80 articles which have been published worldwide, in several languages. Articles have been written about her in leading publications in several countries. Pippa’s expertise is such that she is also regularly asked to review books on her specialisms.
Robert Adesanya
Rob Adesanya is a Chartered Manager (CMgr.) with the Charted Management Institute and a Chartered Member of the CIPD (MCIPD).
He is an esteemed London School of Economics (LSE) alumni and computer scientist whose expertise lies in driving business transformation and growth through top-notch training and workshops.
Rob is a high-performance coach with a successful track record in overseeing dynamic training projects, developing multi-site programs and empowering delegates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
Rob is a visionary professional, who leverages emerging trends such as gamification and micro-learning to enhance the effectiveness of training programs and empower learners.
With over 15 years of experience, he has coached over 3,000 managers in Leadership, Team Building, and Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Empowering delegates to lead confidently, he specialises in aiding C-Suite Executives and managers in effective transformation management, prioritizing people, and aligning missions and visions for reduced risks and enhanced ROI.
Francesco De Astis
Francesco De Astis is an accomplished training consultant with over 18 years of expertise in leadership, management, business strategy, and people engagement. His professional journey has been marked by significant roles in luxury hospitality management, higher education, and human resources. Leveraging his rich experience, Francesco excels in aligning training strategies with organizational goals, demonstrating a profound understanding of needs analysis, and customizing training programs to drive engagement and performance improvement.
Since stepping into the training consultant role a year ago, Francesco has successfully delivered over 20 courses in leadership, management, business strategy, and people engagement. His training sessions have catered to delegates from prestigious organizations such as Aramco, various Saudi governmental entities, and numerous non-profit organizations. His proficiency in program design ensures that his training caters to diverse learning styles, promoting optimal knowledge retention and practical application.
Francesco’s career highlights include orchestrating recruitment events, optimizing budgets, and amplifying brand presence through strategic campaigns. His commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by his ability to cultivate diverse and inclusive workforces, enhance employee retention, and develop comprehensive training programs that elevate service skills and knowledge.
Francesco is recognized for his strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams, senior management, and stakeholders. His ability to measure the effectiveness of training interventions and continuously improve training programs ensures they remain relevant and aligned with organizational objectives.
Francesco works with other high-calibre training providers catering primarily to the Middle East market. His international experience spans conducting physical and online courses across the UK, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. His client roster includes esteemed entities such as the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, Saudi Electricity Company, and Qatar University, reflecting his broad appeal and effectiveness as a training consultant.
Francesco holds a first-class degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services obtained in 2021. He is currently completing his Project Management Professional (PMP) qualification this year, further solidifying his expertise and commitment to professional growth.
In addition to his professional achievements, Francesco is an experienced basketball coach and the founder of his basketball club in South London, showcasing his leadership and dedication to community engagement and youth development.
Victor Bahl
Jon Burton
Jon is an International Training Consultant, NLP facilitator, interpersonal skills coach, sports coach, tour guide, writer, presenter, Soul singer and songwriter, who specializes in Communication and Interpersonal Skills for managers, senior managers and directors.
Jon has worked as a freelance trainer since 1993, and his philosophy in work – as well as life – is that learning should be fun, and should be an enjoyable experience, because positive associations in the classroom support and anchor the strongest, most effective learning and development experiences. His enthusiasm for his subject is evident, and his classroom sessions are always lively, engaging and full of energy. Jon firmly believes that everyone is capable of excelling and that given the opportunity and motivation, everyone is capable of reaching a personal level of self-actualization.
Following a successful early, stage career, Jon moved into Travel & Tourism, and then on to L&D as Training Manager for two large UK independent travel companies, and later for the Industry’s National Training Board. Jon holds Honours degrees in Travel & Tourism and Psychology, and during his time in the Travel Industry, he enjoyed twenty-one years as a Chief Examiner for the City & Guilds of London Institute and five years with the National Council for Vocational Qualifications and Investors in People.
Since becoming a freelance trainer, Jon has worked extensively for both governmental and private industry in Africa, the Middle East, India and throughout Europe, where he continually provides training interventions for Business & Management Development, Human Resource Practice, Essential Interpersonal Skills and L&D Management. His extensive client base includes ABB, American Express, British Airways, BUPA, Cognizant, the DVLA, Emery Worldwide, Exxonmobil, Gerber Foods, GKN Westland, Heatric-Meggitt, Hellman International, Honeywell, Lloyds Bank, Mercer HR, the Met Office, RHR Mulberry, the NHS, SAAB, Siemens Industrial, Transport for London and Zurich Insurance.
Federica Ceresa
Bronwyn Crawford
Bronwyn started her career in hospitality, followed by corporate training where her role was to dramatically improve health and safety and reduce injuries at a South African mine by project managing actor-led performances in local dialects to ensure workers were clear on safety messages. Bronwyn studied project management through the Southern Business School, during this time.
Bronwyn enjoys challenges and when asked to, built a law firm and led the HR function through various change cycles, her focus being on the development and building the empowerment muscle of each employee. She then established and managed a conference and events business attracting and building long term relationships with clients the likes of Protea Chemicals (a member of the Omnia Group, a publicly-listed diversified provider of specialised chemical products and services.)
Bronwyn’s passion for personal growth and embracing change led her to further her studies in professional coaching and a degree in Organisational Psychology while simultaneously choosing to work as a consltant.
Since working as a consltant, Bronwyn has helped organizations, government, and NGOs large and small, adapt and improve via change throughout Africa, United Kingdom, Middle East, and Asia. She builds committed relationships with clients, works alongside their change management project teams, engaging with employees to maximise participation and effectiveness. Guiding the communication and perception of employees. Minimising employee resistance to change and protecting the wellbeing of the business.
An example being the implementation of a new corporate strategy and value system affecting 150 employees over the course of 12 weeks. This project involved aligning staff with the new vision, values and direction of the company, and ensuring they were embodying them. This work led to improved employee engagement and growth in repeat customers for the company.
Bronwyn concentrates on employee development, behavioural and culture change through identifying the crisis point and challenges various stakeholders are experiencing, designing and delivering learning and development programs to those in leadership positions, as well as employees at other levels.
Bronwyn spends any free time studying and presenting keynote preseantations to audiences of up to 500 people on issues such as managing change in these turbulent times, bridging the gap in corporate culture, leadership and employee engagement, recognition and retention, wellbeing matters in business, managing ones mind and time for business and personal success, and embracing diversity and inclusion.
Bronwyn believes in Dr Demartini’s quote: “When you are truly inspired by something, you cannot fail, because you don’t give up.” Bronwyn is inspired by making a difference to as many peoples’ lives as she is able to, specifically in business. Whether she is supporting, challenging, training, or coaching them to reach their greatness, she fully commits to their success.
Jack Hall
Jack Hall is proficient in cutting-edge sales and marketing tools and technologies, making him adept at incorporating digital strategies and analytics into training curricula. He has also authored training materials that serve as valuable references for sales and marketing professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of industry trends.
Jack is a tutor for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. He trained in the United Kingdom and gained experience working for a leading corporation based in London. His most recent endeavour involved training buyers to ensure their organisation leverages increased value by adhering to professional procurement standards.
In addition, Jack is well-versed in project management tools and software, making him adept at integrating technology into project management processes. Jack has industry experience in IT, Marketing, and Events projects. He specialises in APM and Agile methodologies.
Chad Fahlberg
Chad brings a wealth of experience in financial markets, business leadership, management, and corporate governance. He launched his career on Wall Street in New York City after earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Starting with Smith Barney, now Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Chad honed his brokerage sales and technical analysis skills. He then transitioned to trading equity options on the floor of the American Stock Exchange.
Driven by a passion for global business, Chad pursued a master’s in international business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. With this advanced degree, he worked his way into multiple investment and pension management leadership positions. Chad later joined Corriente Advisors, a global macro hedge fund, with over 1 billion dollars in assets under management. As a senior executive at Corriente Advisors, he played a crucial role in managing operations and compliance during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
Following his success at Corriente Advisors, Chad transitioned into the healthcare sector by partnering with his father to form Solis Healthcare. Together, they collaborated with hospital companies across the United States to design, develop, and operate speciality hospitals, as well as implement successful change management strategies and operational plans.
In addition to his financial markets and leadership expertise, Chad is an avid crypto investor. He has developed several engaging, hands-on training programs in this new field. Now based in Europe, Chad leverages his extensive experience to offer practical and insightful training, mentoring the next generation of business leaders. Chad’s courses utilize MBA techniques and methodologies, with a strong emphasis on practical application and case study discussions.
Darren Leiser
Aaron McCarthy
I’m Aaron Jude McCarthy, a seasoned and dynamic Executive Consultant and HR specialist passionate about unlocking the potential within individuals and organizations. My mission is to help leaders transcend limitations, build thriving teams, and guide businesses toward sustainable success. With a deep understanding of human behaviour, leadership dynamics, and the ethical core of great organizations, I offer a holistic approach to development.
I believe that the key to extraordinary business and leadership achievement lies in unlocking human potential through inspiring leadership that fosters a high-performing culture, combined with a clear strategic vision, laser focus on execution, and the agility to innovate and navigate change. This integrated approach unleashes exponential growth for leaders and organizations and secures industry achievement.
What sets me apart? I’m a seasoned strategist and problem-solver with extensive experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and operational excellence. I excel at:
● Transformational Coaching and Training: Guiding executives and organisations to achieve their full potential, overcome challenges, and develop powerful leadership styles.
● Strategic HR: Aligning people strategies with business goals, creating high-performance cultures, and driving long-term growth.
● Culture Champion: Fostering positive, inclusive work environments focused on employee well-being, engagement, and belonging. My track record speaks for itself: I’ve designed and delivered impactful leadership programs for top organizations, provided transformative one-on-one coaching to senior executives, and spearheaded strategic operations initiatives that drive results. My expertise will help you:
● Set and achieve ambitious goals
● Enhance leadership and communication skills
● Navigate complex workplace dynamics
● Develop high-performing, resilient teams
● Create a culture of innovation and excellence I’m driven by a relentless pursuit of growth and a belief that everyone has the potential for greatness
Abdul Nelson
Abdul is a management training consultant with over 17 years’ experience in this field. He holds an MSc in Technology Management, a PgCert of Learning & Teaching in HE, a PgDip in Management Studies and is PRINCE 2 Practitioner certified. He is a qualified Investors in People’s Assessor, a member of the CMI; the Higher Education Academy, and the British Computer Society. Abdul came to consultancy from an academic career where he initially conducted knowledge management research for Rolls Royce Plc at London South Bank University and then moving onto lecturing at the LSBU Business School. His primary expertise is in HRM, Sustainability (CSR & ESG), Change Management, Project Management, Quality Management but he also delivers training in Data & Information Systems (including HR Analytics & CRM) and Administrative Skills for Personal Assistants.
He has published papers on artificial intelligence, superalloy machining and education.
Abdul’s has delivered training and consultancy for the likes Johnson Matthey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria), The Saudi British Bank (SABB), Central Bank of Ghana, Bank Indonesia, Bank of England, Central Bank of Italy, Medical Research Council at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Biffa Waste Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, United Nations Development Programme and the Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan
Abdul also has a number of publications in Artificial Intellegience and Enhancing students’ IT skills to improve achievement.
Jean-Paul Noel-Cephise
Jean-Paul has been a been a business coach and academic trainer for 16 years. He began lecturing for BPP University then Kaplan Training before becoming a freelance consultant in 2016. He has a first degree in Accountancy & Finance (1992), a Law conversion Degree (CPE) (1994) and qualified with the ACCA in 2007.
After graduation he worked as a Legal Executive for 4 years, specialising in immigration cases before going on to become a Business Analyst in the financial services sector post-ACCA qualification.
He specializes in Financial Management, Law, Management and Financial accounting as well as Marketing and Leadership qualifications. He has worked for Osborne college, Southbank Uni, Kaplan, BPP as well as other smaller consultancy firms on an ad hoc basis both internationally and within the UK.
Outside of his professional vocation he is a published author and has appeared on a few TV programmes as part of both family finances and relationship discussions and is currently developing his own specialist TV and Radio talk shows.
Dr. John Sebastian Pereira
Dr Pereira is an Associate Professor in Finance at Kingston University and has over 12 years of experience in the UK Higher Education sector. Dr Pereira completed his PhD in credit risk measurement and modelling and started his career working in credit underwriting and quality assurance for Citigroup. Dr Pereira is also a Chartered member of the Global Management Accountant (CIMA) professional body.
Dr Pereira’s research interests are in the field of accounting and finance, with a focus on ESG, sustainability reporting, risk disclosure, and financial institutions. His work has been published in national and international peer-reviewed journals and is regularly presented at international conferences.
Dr Pereira lectures on a range of banking, management accounting and corporate finance topics across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and specialises in delivering workshops and seminars aimed at leveraging the power of Bloomberg software for advanced financial analysis.
Dr Pereira is also involved in delivering executive training programmes at London Business Training and Consulting Ltd. and has delivered training for investment bankers from Bank of America, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs etc. through his affiliation with Financial Edge Ltd.
David Pugh
David is a chartered accountant with a varied career path covering different financial management positions. He qualified with Deloitte & Co in the City of London, and then worked for a public shipping and logistics company for 19 years progressing through various financial roles covering both the UK and abroad, culminating as a divisional finance director. He then gained experience in the food sector where he participated in two management buyouts, and has performed many financial interim roles in different organisations. David is a chairman of two audit committees, director of private companies, trustee of two charities and a trustee of an educational academy. He has recently sold his accountancy practice but still does consultancy work. His lecturing experience spans over 10 years, and as well as lecturing on financial training, his other recent lectures have been to technical tax groups and start-up organisations.
David has lectured physically for organisations in the UK, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and more recently provided online courses for UK, China, and the Middle East.
Clients include delegates from Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, Advanced Electronics Company Lid in Saudi, Aramco , Bank Indonesia, CCCC International in Hong Kong, Central Bank of Nigeria, Egyptian General Petroleum Company, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Kuwait Oil Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Qatar University, Saudi Electricity Company, Sankyu Saudi Arabia, Taaleem School Group in Dubai, and Wellington College in China.
Elena Sanesi
Elena boasts over 20 years of experience in the field of sales and marketing specializing in delivering cutting-edge training and consultancy services across Strategic Management, Leadership, Performance Management, Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Marketing. Her career has been marked by successful engagements with a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading multinational corporations, and dynamic startups across multiple geographies and industries including affiliate marketing, digital marketing, loyalty and rewards, performance marketing for B2B and B2C projects.
Elena has had the privilege of working with renowned brands such as Danone, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble, in the UK and in Europe, providing tailored solutions that drive organizational excellence and sustainable growth. Her expertise has enabled organizations to navigate complex business environments, develop robust strategic frameworks, and achieve competitive advantage.
Christian Thornæs
Christian Thornæs delivers advanced programmes in banking, finance, accounting, risk management and leadership related topics.
He has worked with investment banks, major global corporate and retail banks, central banks, global fund managers, sovereign wealth funds, management consultancies, major law firms, financial market regulatory organisations, exchanges, central securities depositories, global custodians and many more. He has experience from delivering courses in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East, South East Asia, Japan, Australia, South America and the United States.
Before beginning his consulting career, Christian worked as an investment banker and financial engineer in London and Hong Kong. His main responsibilities were to structure and sell new financial products to clients on both the issuer and the buy side.
Christian has an MBA from INSEAD, France as well as a BSc and a MSc(Econ) from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.
Matt Brown
Matt is a Learning and Development (L&D) Consultant with a passion for developing people to meet their potential.
Prior to setting up as a Consultant, Matt gained over 20 years’ L&D experience working within the multi-site service sector focusing on Leadership and Management Development. As well as working in the UK, Matt has designed and delivered programmes in Europe, the Middle East, and North America, including formal Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications. Before moving into L&D Matt spent nearly 15 years working in Operational Management in the retail sector, which he is able to draw on to bring his sessions to life.
Matt has worked with a number of different clients including delivering sessions for Veolia Water Technologies, GUK, Discovery and Coopers Fire.
Matt holds an MBA (Merit) from Northampton Business School, with his dissertation looking at “An analysis of the relevance of traditional Contingency Theories of Leadership in the 21st Century Business Environment, with particular reference to Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Models.”
He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and a Member of the ILM, the CMI, and the Learning and Performance Institute. Matt also holds an Advanced Certificate in Business Coaching, is accredited to deliver the Belbin Team Roles by Belbin Associates and the Everything DiSC© profile by DiSC GB, is an NLP Practitioner and has previously sat on the Editorial Board for the CIPD Toolkits for Trainers publications, and was a reviewer for the CMI Management Book of the Year.
Hilal Conceicao
Hilal Ferreira Sa Da Conceicao is a senior FM professional and a dynamic consultant, specialising in corporate real estate, workplace operations, and the future of work. With over 14 years of experience across a range of organisations—from boutique consultancies to global corporations like Nestlé, Apple, Mace, JLL and Expedia Group—Hilal has developed a diverse and multifaceted expertise in facilities management, workplace strategy, and employee experience. She excels at driving large-scale transformations by creating human-centric workplace experiences.
Hilal’s global experience spans EMEA and APAC, where she has built multidisciplinary award-winning teams, managed complex projects, and integrated cutting-edge strategies to enhance workplace culture, performance, and organizational outcomes. Her ability to align strategy with execution has made her a trusted advisor for companies seeking to optimize productivity, foster collaboration, and nurture inclusive, high-performing cultures. Hilal’s academic background in linguistics, translation, and facilities management, coupled with her certifications in project management (CAPM), Health & Safety (IOSH), and Facilities Management (CIWFM), reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. She has extensive experience facilitating workshops and training programs that have consistently led to continuous improvement, and currently pursuing her Master of Real Estate (MCR) and MRICS accreditation, she remains dedicated to expanding her expertise and leading change within the workplace sector.
As a thought leader and workplace consultant, Hilal is passionate about navigating complex change by merging digital innovation with actionable roadmaps and creating environments where employees feel valued and empowered. Over the years, she’s partnered with a diverse range of organisations and industries, including technology, hospitality and higher education. She has collaborated with well-known brands such as OKX, Bestseller and University of the Arts London, as well as her partnerships with various leading training and career development providers.
Hilal continues to work with organizations, institutions, and start-ups, helping them shape global strategies, improve employee experiences, and drive sustainable business success through innovative solutions whilst bringing unique expertise in managing end-to-end projects, building brands and connecting communities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa(EMEA).
Yevhen Musiienko
Yevhen Musiienko is a seasoned Agile Coach and Project Management Instructor with a wealth of experience in agile transformations, coaching, and mentoring professionals at all organizational levels, including executives. His expertise spans Agile/Scrum methodologies, project management, executive coaching, and the development of comprehensive learning materials. As the author of the PMP preparation guide “Understanding the Project Context,” Yevhen has empowered numerous professionals to achieve their PMP certifications and excel in their careers.
Yevhen excels in helping organizations implement agile practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement. His dynamic and engaging coaching style, combined with his in-depth knowledge of agile frameworks, makes his training sessions highly effective and transformative. Yevhen has successfully guided cross-functional teams through agile transformations, enhancing their efficiency, collaboration, and overall performance.
Over the years, Yevhen has worked with a diverse range of organizations across various geographies and industries, including technology, finance, and manufacturing. He has collaborated with well-known brands such as ELLO Group Ltd, Astound Commerce, and Pinngle CJSC, driving significant improvements in their project delivery processes and overall organizational agility. His consulting and training programs have consistently led to improved performance, continuous improvement, and lasting behavioural change.
Yevhen is dedicated to creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where professionals can reflect, debate, and grow. He believes that such an environment is crucial for increasing performance and implementing effective change. As a certified coach and continuous learner, Yevhen incorporates the latest proven techniques into his work, ensuring that his clients receive the most up-to-date and impactful training possible.
In addition to his coaching and training roles, Yevhen is a sought-after speaker at international summits and events, where he shares his insights on agile transformations, project management, and leadership. His contributions to the field have made him a trusted advisor and mentor to many, helping organizations navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic business environment.
