Our People

Sarah-Jane is a values-driven leader with national-level experience in workforce transformation, leadership development and cultural change across health and social care.

Experience and expertise – as Chief Operating Officer at Affina, Sarah-Jane leads strategic programmes grounded in global research, helping teams – particularly in health and social care – to thrive. Drawing on Professor Michael West’s seminal research, Affina has supported team-based working in hundreds of settings, including the NHS, for over 20 years.

Sarah-Jane’s work reflects a deep interest in behavioural psychology and a belief that every interaction with colleagues, teams, or service users is a chance to build a more compassionate and effective workplace.

Sarah-Jane has held senior national roles, driving innovation through strategic business development, regional partnerships and international collaboration. She also served as UK lead for a European Dignity in Care programme. Earlier in her career, she worked as a lecturer, honing skills in communication, learning and empowerment – tools she continues to use to inspire change and foster inclusive leadership.

About Sarah-Jane – a regular speaker at national and international conferences, Sarah-Jane shares insights on organisational development, effective team-based working and evidence-based practice. Sarah-Jane thrives on challenge and consistently pushes boundaries – both in her professional work and personal pursuits an an ultra-marathon runner.

Credentials – MSc. | Bsc. | NTL Global Certificate in Organization development | AoEC Systemic Team Coaching | Capabilities: leadership, management, learning & development, business improvement, public speaking, equality and diversity, continuous improvement.

Michael co-founded Affina OD, where research into team effectiveness, particularly in the NHS, is helping improve care through team-based working. This supports the conditions needed for high-quality, compassionate and continually improving care.

Affina’s work, including its tools and approaches, is shaped by rigorous research and close collaboration with practitioners.

Professional roles and academic background – Michael West CBE is Senior Visiting Fellow at The King’s Fund, London. He also serves as Professor of Organisational Psychology at Lancaster University, Visiting Professor at University College Dublin and Emeritus Professor at Aston University. He graduated from the University of Wales in 1973 and earned his PhD in 1977, focusing on the psychology of meditation.

Research, publications and recognition – Michael has written or edited 21 books and published over 200 articles. His work explores teamwork, innovation, compassionate leadership and organisational culture—especially in healthcare. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, the American Psychological Association, and the Academy of Social Sciences. He also holds Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. In addition, he contributes to the Advisory Council of The Global Compassion Coalition.

Leadership in healthcare well-being – Michael co-chaired the General Medical Council’s inquiry Caring for Doctors, Caring for Patients (2019), alongside Dame Denise Coia. He later led The Courage of Compassion (2020), a UK-wide review commissioned by the RCN Foundation, focusing on the mental health of nurses and midwives.

Recent work and honours – Michael’s latest book, Compassionate Leadership (2021), offers insights into sustaining humanity and wisdom in health and social care. Today, he continues to advise healthcare and public sector organisations around the world, helping them build compassionate, high-quality care cultures. In 2020, he received a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his contributions to compassion and innovation in healthcare.

As an experienced coach and team coach, Michele is deeply committed to the power of teams. She believes they drive both organisational success and community impact. She enjoys the challenge of working across teams, organisations and systems. Her coaching always brings a systemic lens to these connections.

Experience and expertise – Michele has over 25 years of experience in coaching, team coaching, OD, and HR. She supports leaders and teams to thrive in complex settings. Her background in Psychology led to senior OD and HR Director roles in NHS Trusts. There, she guided transformation during major change. She has worked across sectors, including healthcare, government, KPMG and Sony. In each, she blends strategic thinking with insight into human dynamics. As a long-standing Affina Associate Consultant, she helped pilot and shape the Affina OD tools. Since 2010, she has supported teams in embedding high-performing behaviours. She uses evidence-based tools such as Systemic Team Coaching, Hogan, and MBTI.

About Michele – Michele works with individuals, teams and systems to build environments where people can thrive. She is known for being straight-talking, observant and compassionate. Her coaching style combines honesty with warmth.

Credentials – Diploma, Systemic Team Coaching (AoEC); and EMCC Accredited Senior Practitioner | Diploma, Coaching (EMCC Accredited Senior Practitioner | Diploma, Coaching Supervision (CSA accredited and EMCC Accredited Senior Practitioner) | BSc (Hons) Psychology | CIPD Diploma (Chartered Fellow) |Advanced Certificate, Group Supervision | Psychometric Testing Qualified practitioner for a range of personality instruments including MBTI Step I & Step II; CPI; Firo-B; 16PF; TKI; Hogan, TalentQ, Team Connect 360, Resilience at Work).

Su is an experienced organisational development consultant and executive coach who brings board-level insight, clinical credibility and a transformative, compassionate approach to helping leaders thrive.

Experience and expertise – with over 20 years’ experience in clinical practice, national leadership and consultancy, Su has led change, reform and leadership development – mainly in the NHS and public sector. She began in nursing and completed a Nurse Fellowship at the University of Manchester. She then held senior OD roles, including Assistant Director at Greater Manchester SHA and Associate Director for NHS National Workforce Projects. Su supported ISIP sites during a Department of Health secondment. As Director of Quality Assurance at Organisation Development Services, she shaped national programmes. Since founding her consultancy in 2011, Su has led major assignments across workforce, strategy and team development.

About Su – Su brings energy, empathy and constructive challenge to her coaching. She helps clients navigate complexity, strengthen resilience and build emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams rooted in trust and authenticity.

Credentials – Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology | Coaching supervision | Systemic team coaching | Practitioner in MBTI, TKI, Emotional Intelligence (TQ), and NHS 360° feedback | Clinical qualifications | Member, European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

Claire is a chartered occupational psychologist and experienced coach. She blends academic insight, practical expertise and a passion for leadership and wellbeing.

Experience and expertise – Claire holds a Master’s in Occupational Psychology and a PhD from the University of Nottingham. She has lectured and researched at leading institutions, including Manchester Business School, contributing to a five-year leadership programme for aspiring NHS directors.

Since 2007, Claire has worked in consultancy, partnering with clinicians, educators, managers and business leaders across sectors. She designs and facilitates leadership and team development programmes using action learning, coaching and psychometric tools.

Claire is known for using evidence-based practice to help teams thrive with clarity and confidence. She values Affina’s blend of rigorous research and practical guidance.

About Claire – Claire is an enthusiastic coach and facilitator. She is passionate about leadership, assessment and wellbeing at work. She helps teams build clarity, resilience and purpose.

Credentials – PhD Psychology | Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society | Member of the Health Professions Council | Accredited Executive Coach (Association for Coaching) | Qualified Coach Supervisor | Level A and B in Psychometric Testing (MBTI, Hogan, Firo-B, Me2, OPQ, TalentQ) | Certificate in Coaching.

Shona is an experienced coach who brings board-level insight, clinical roots and a systems-aware approach to developing inclusive, impactful leadership and team effectiveness.

Experience and expertise – Shona began her NHS career as a nurse. She later moved into service improvement and organisational development. Shona has held Executive and Non-Executive Board-level roles for nearly 20 years. She understands the pressures of leading in large public sector organisations. Shona is aware of how organisational and system-wide dynamics affect leadership. Her work focuses on building leadership for staff and service user-led improvement. She places strong emphasis on equity and inclusion. Shona’s practice includes executive and career transition coaching, group facilitation and team development. She joined Affina after co-designing and delivering an award-winning senior leadership coaching programme. This was during her time as Director of OD at a major NHS Trust in London.

About Shona – Shona is passionate about supporting leaders and teams. She helps them grow in ways that benefit service users, communities and colleagues. Shona brings insight from years of executive leadership. Her approach is inclusive, compassionate and rooted in belief in people’s potential.

Credentials – Doctor of Management | MSc in Nursing | Accredited practitioner in MBTI type 1&2 | Firo B | TKI | SDI | HLM 360 Facilitator and trainer | EMCC Senior Coach Practitioner | AoEC Systemic Team Coaching Certificate | Diploma in Team Coaching | Certified Team Diagnostic Survey Advanced Practitioner | ILM level 7 Coaching Supervision | Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce.

Madeleine is an accredited executive, team, resilience and career coach. She creates energising spaces where clients clarify goals, realise potential and build leadership confidence, resilience and the strength of high-performing, compassionate teams.

Experience and expertise – with over 23 years’ experience, Madeleine has coached and developed leaders and teams – mainly in the public and third sectors. She began in the private sector as a Quality Development Manager and business consultant. She later led a Board-wide OD function in health for ten years. Madeleine has led a large-scale culture change programme, which won a national improvement award. She now supports organisations through change, offering expertise in coaching, team development and transformation.

Madeleine brings senior-level experience across sectors, offering empathy and professionalism. She finds working with Affina energising and authentic. Madeleine helps develop and support teams on their journey to high performance.

About Madeleine – Madeleine takes a person-centred approach. She builds strong connections that empower meaningful outcomes. Madeleine’s work is rooted in trust, authenticity and helping others thrive.

Credentials – B.A. (Hons) Business Management | Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Development & Management | Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Coaching & Mentoring | NLP Certificate in Business Communications | Diploma in Facilitation Skills | Member of the Association of Coaching.

Rob is an experienced coach who blends organisational insight, academic depth and a people-first approach to unlocking leadership potential.

Experience and expertise – with a strong background in organisational development, Rob has worked across public, private, and third sector organisations, designing and delivering impactful programmes that support personal and professional growth. His work spans coaching, group facilitation and collaborative learning. Alongside his consultancy, Rob teaches at several Business Schools in the North West, contributing to senior leadership programmes and MBA courses. This blend of practice and academia enriches his approach and brings fresh perspective to every engagement.

About Rob – Rob believes deeply in people and their capacity for growth. He brings warmth, encouragement and a belief in possibility to his coaching, helping clients feel confident and empowered to make meaningful change. Rob’s approach is rooted in authenticity and optimism, aligning closely with the values of the Affina approach.

Credentials – MSc Professional Development (Coaching) | MI practitioner | Post Graduate Certificate in Leadership |MCIPD Qualified Practitioner – MBTI, Firo-B and 16PF.

An organisational psychologist and coach, Sue blends therapeutic insight, hands-on experience, and a values-driven approach to help teams thrive. She focuses on building healthy, high-performing environments.

Experience and expertise – Sue’s work starts with personal values and how they influence behaviour and relationships at work. She uses Affina tools to guide individuals and teams through structured, accessible explorations of team dynamics. Her career includes roles as a therapist, operational manager and executive director in the NHS and local partnerships. Later, she worked globally as Operations Director for Health Programmes in academia. Through these roles, she gained deep insight into how organisations foster positive conditions for staff.

For the past 12 years, Sue has worked independently. She co-designs interventions that build resilience and support progress. In Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, she has helped develop integrated public sector leadership, creating safe spaces for honest conversations across organisations. Co-design remains central to her approach, encouraging ownership and lasting change. Sue is thrilled to be part of the Affina team, drawn by their insight, experience, and professionalism.

About Sue –Sue is passionate about helping people grow through meaningful, values-based work. She creates space for reflection, connection, and progress – empowering teams to lead with authenticity and care.

Credentials – Masters in Research Methods | Occupational Psychology and in Public Health | Post Grad Diploma in Clinical Communication | Level A & B accredited test user with the British Psychological Society (including DiSC, Hogan, QUINTAX, WAVE, MBTI, etc) | NHS Healthcare Leadership Model – 360 Feedback Facilitator | ILM (level 7) certified Coach & Mentor | Graduate Member: Association of Business Psychology and member of European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) member.

Louise is an experienced leader, coach, and wellbeing advocate. She creates supportive, energising spaces where individuals and teams grow through self-awareness, resilience, and collaborative leadership.

Experience and expertise – Louise’s career spans Housing, HR, and Education. She has held senior executive and non-executive roles, including Managing Director of a training company and Director of Housing. Louise has led services from lettings and repairs to employment support. For the past six years, she has worked as a consultant, delivering executive coaching, hypnotherapy and leadership development. Her focus on wellbeing includes work as a Mental Health First Aider and developing wellbeing frameworks and toolkits.

Louise delivers our Affina programmes, bringing strong people and project management skills. Louise works closely with clients to embed learning and support sustainable change.

About Louise – Louise takes a person-centred, solution-focused approach. She combines empathy, trust and curiosity to support growth. Louise helps individuals and teams unlock potential through authenticity and lasting change.

Credentials – BSc (Hons) Psychology | CIH Post Graduate Diploma (Fellow of Chartered Institute of Housing) | CIPD Diploma (Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) | Certificate in Coaching | Mental Health First Aid Instructor | Accredited feedback facilitator – Healthcare Leadership Model 360 feedback tool | Solution Focussed Hypnotherapy Diploma and Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma.

As an experienced NHS Leader and OD Consultant, Anne supports teams and leaders to drive transformational change. She works across organisational boundaries, helping improve areas like integrated care.

Experience and expertise – Anne is a highly motivated Organisational Development Consultant with 40 years of experience. Her work spans national NHS development projects, including support for the most challenged NHS trusts. She has held senior leadership roles across various healthcare sectors. Anne has also collaborated with teams and leaders in both Health and Social Care.

As a long-standing Affina Associate Consultant, Anne helps leaders and teams boost team effectiveness. As a result, this work has led to better patient experience and improved care.

Anne also brings 10 years of Voluntary Sector experience. She served as Trustee and Vice Chair of Brent Wandsworth and Westminster Mind. This organisation is the leading independent provider of mental health services in Wandsworth and Westminster, supporting a population of over one million.

About Anne – currently, Anne is a lecturer and tutor at Manchester University. She delivers an MSc programme to NHS leaders through face-to-face workshops, action-learning sets and one-to-one coaching and mentoring.

Credentials – Masters in Business Administration (MBA) | Diploma in Personnel and Development | Diploma in Personnel and Development | Certificate in Employment Law | Ashridge Business School – Consultancy Skills | School of Psychotherapy & Counselling Psychology – Accredited Mediator | MBTI Step I and Step II; Hogan.

Helen is an experienced occupational psychologist. She works with teams and individuals to help them do their best work and find fulfilment in what they do.

Experience and expertise – Helen’s passion for organisation and team development began with her first job. That experience sparked a career-long mission to help create workplaces where people feel valued, grow and connect with purpose.

Helen has over 25 years’ experience in OD across public and private sectors. Her personal purpose is to create conditions where people feel seen, valued and able to grow. Helen has worked in both large and niche consultancy firms and set up her own business in 2020 to work with clients aligned with her values. She has worked extensively with the NHS and admires the sector. Helen values team development as critical to service outcomes.

Helen works with Affina to deliver our direct team coaching programmes utilising her extensive experience in systemic team coaching.

About Helen – Helen brings warmth and compassion. She creates psychological safety, helping people trust her and open up to new insights. Helen’s coaching is honest, human and deeply supportive.

Credentials – MSc Occupational Psychology | BA Psychology | Global Organisation Development Certificate (NTL) | Certificate in Systemic Team Coaching (AoEC) | Qualified assessor in range of tools including EQi 2.0, MBTI, FIRO-B.

Tracy is an accredited master executive coach, master team coach, certified coaching supervisor, and leadership development consultant. She helps leaders and teams boost performance by focusing on the whole system – not just the individual.

Experience / Expertise – for the past 15 years, Tracy has partnered with national and international organisations to grow leadership and team capability. Known for her pragmatic and relational style, she brings warmth and strength to her coaching. Clients say this creates space for reflection, exploration and bold action.

Earlier in her career, Tracy worked in executive search across the UK, Europe and Asia. She spent five years as a Managing Consultant at a top marketing recruitment firm. There, she collaborated with FTSE 100 companies in FMCG, retail, agency and manufacturing sectors.

In 2007, Tracy launched MU Team Brilliance. Her practice continues to evolve, guided by systems thinking and a strong commitment to wellbeing. She brings this philosophy into every coaching and team programme.

Tracy feels aligned with Affina’s  approach. She values its deep understanding of public sector systems and its dedication to supporting teams and the communities they serve.

About Tracy – Tracy is a systemic team coach. She’s passionate about helping people perform at their best while staying well in a complex world.

Credentials – Master Executive Coach | Master Team Coach | ORSC (Organisation & Relationship Systems Coach) | Trained Coaching Supervisor | Accredited practitioner for PROPHET (Executive Role Profiling for Executive Teams) | Motivational MapStrengthscope | Resilience at Work (R@W) .

Geraldine has over 25 years’ experience in coaching, facilitation, and organisational development. Her focus is mainly on healthcare, both in the UK and abroad. She thrives in complex environments. In these settings, she supports systems and teams to create meaningful change. 

Experience and expertise – Geraldine has held senior roles in healthcare. For six years, she was Head of the Royal College of Nursing Institute. There, she led a major restructure and rebranding. In addition, as Lead Coach at the RCN, she developed the Clinical Leadership Programme. This programme has had global impact. At Barts Health NHS Trust, she spent over a decade as Associate Director of Culture Change. During that time, she led work in team development, wellbeing and violence reduction.

She has coached senior NHS leaders and teams. She uses tools like MBTI, TKI, and the Affina Team Performance Inventory. Furthermore, Geraldine designs and delivers leadership programmes. These include “Super T” and the Integrated Leadership Development Programme. She also led wellbeing strategy during the pandemic.

About Geraldine – Geraldine is known for her insightful questioning, warmth, and systemic approach. Through her work, she helps teams reflect, strengthen relationships and move from good to great. Her approach is grounded in compassion and creativity. Above all, she is deeply committed to improving patient and staff experiences.

Credentials – Registered Nurse | BSc Nursing | MSc Organisational Consulting (Ashridge) | Coaching Training (iCoach Academy) | Certificate in Systemic Team Coaching (AoEC) | Team Development & Coaching Programme (TPC) | Schwartz Round Facilitator | Qualified practitioner for MBTI Step I & II | Hays Leadership & Climate Survey | Barry Oshry Organisation Facilitation | NHS Leadership 360 | Trained in Thinking Environment and Appreciative Inquiry.

David is an OD practitioner and executive coach with over 30 years’ experience. He combines practical wisdom with seasoned facilitation skills and brings a strong commitment to inclusive, purpose-driven organisational development.

Experience and expertise – David has worked for more than 30 years as an OD practitioner, facilitator, executive coach and leadership programme designer. He has contributed across both public and private sectors. Throughout his career, he has led professional teams and supported change. He uses approaches like action learning, appreciative inquiry and team development. In addition, David applies various tools and methods to build psychologically safe spaces. These spaces allow diverse ideas and perspectives to be shared. As a result, teams grow and progress. His work often involves strategy development, resolving team issues and improving relationships between teams.

About David – David enjoys working with teams to build engagement, satisfaction and a sense of purpose in their working lives. He is passionate about ensuring all his interventions foster inclusivity and cultural competence.

Credentials – MSc Human Resource Development | BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology |Post Graduate Certificate of Education | CIPD Diploma (Chartered Member) | ILM Executive Coaching Level 7 | BPS Level A & B | Psychometric Testing Qualified practitioner for a range of personality instruments including MBTI Step I & Step II; Strengthscope; Talent Predix; Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory.

Lois is a leadership development consultant, executive coach and is also a yoga teacher. She focuses on helping leaders and teams grow capability, boost confidence and enhance wellbeing. Lois helps people work and live well through coaching, drawing on practices like yoga when they align with individual needs.

Experience and expertise –Lois began her career in Human Resources, working with several blue-chip private sector organisations. Over the past ten years, she has worked independently. During this time, she expanded her experience to include health and local government sectors.

She has been an associate at Alliance Manchester Business School, where she tutored NHS leaders on the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme. She also contributed to the Manchester Management Development Programme (MMDP). In addition, she has helped build a coaching culture in local government and delivered ILM Level 7 CIPD HR qualifications with DPG.

Alongside her consultancy work, Lois teaches restorative yoga and is a qualified Yoga Therapist. She values Affina’s evidence-based approach, especially its focus on improving performance to benefit patients and carers.

About Lois – Lois is an insightful and compassionate coach and facilitator. She is passionate about leadership development and committed to promoting wellbeing through mindfulness and compassion.

Credentials – Masters in Business Administration (MBA) | Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management | NTL Certificate in Organisation Development | ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching | Psychometric Testing (Levels A & B) | Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) practitioner | Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) | Member of EMCC | Yoga Campus Yoga Therapy Diploma | British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Training Diploma.

Anna is a experienced public sector board leader, consultant, researcher, and accredited master executive coach. She focuses on improvement, team learning and psychological safety – areas she explores through her doctoral research.

Experience and expertise – Anna began her NHS career in 1999 via the graduate management training scheme. Over the next 15 years, she held general management roles in mental health and social care. These ranged from hospital manager to executive director, mainly along England’s south coast.

In 2015, she founded TogetherBetter, a consultancy and coaching practice. Since then, she has worked with Board leaders, system leaders and frontline teams. Her goal: to address complex challenges in inclusive and sustainable ways. Additionally, Anna serves as a quality improvement lead with the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health. She is also an Independent Member of her local University Health Board in West Wales and sits on the Guiding Group for the NHS Confederation Health & Care Women Leaders Network.

About Anna – Anna helps clients and delegates think systemically, build trust and lead with compassion. Her facilitation style encourages reflection, learning and practical action. As a result, helping teams to work better together and deliver greater value.

Credentials – BA(Hons.) Business Studies | University of Stirling | PGDip | Healthcare Management | University of Birmingham | King’s Fund Board Leadership programme | APECS Master Executive Coach | Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring | ILM; Advanced Certificate in Executive Coaching, Bristol Business School | IHI-accredited Patient Safety Executive Officer.

Steve is an experienced consultant, supervisor, and coach. He brings together psychological insight, practical expertise, and a strong passion for helping people and organisations navigate meaningful change.

Experience and expertise –Steve works with individuals, teams and organisations to build their capacity for change. He helps leaders strengthen their presence and impact. At the same time, he supports consultants as they grow their change skills. He also contributes to shaping organisational culture. Throughout his work, he challenges and supports clients to find their ‘edge and stretch’—especially when they want more than just ‘better sameness’. As one client put it, he’s ‘the right kind of fly in your ointment’.

About Steve –Steve focuses on the human side of change. In particular, he explores how shame and anxiety influence behaviour in organisations. He lives in Brighton and published No Silver Bullet in 2024. Beyond his writing, he serves on the Tavistock Institute board. He also previously co-chaired the OD Network Europe.

Credentials – MSCs in Change Agent Skills & Strategies | qualified practitioner in Human Systems Dynamics and Systemic Constellations | Adjunct Senior Industry Fellow with RMIT FORWARD at RMIT University | Association of Professional Executive Coaches & Supervisors accredited supervisor | certified in VoicePrint, MirrorMirror team alignment | Firo B and Digital Age Leadership | on Faculty for the Mayvin Masters in People and OD at the University of Chichester | co-lead the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations Certificate in Coaching for Leadership Programme.

Oyebanji Adewumi, known as Banji, is the Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Manchester.  

Experience and expertise – Banji is an inclusion practitioner who has worked across different sectors, including the NHS. Banji currently works in the higher education sector and is an Action Research Organisational Change Doctoral student.

With approximately 30 years’ experience of working in the public sector, she has successfully led projects aimed at embedding inclusive practice, as part of wider culture change programmes.

About Banji – Banji describes herself as a visionary and self-motivated Inclusion practitioner.

Credentials – Banji is a Doctoral Candidate. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2022 in recognition of her work in the NHS and for Diversity

As a seasoned coach, Vanessa is energised by helping client teams deliver high value to their organisations while increasing individual confidence, influence and enjoyment. This enables teams to better navigate relationships, complexity and ambiguity, deal with change and conflict and secure ongoing success.

Experience and expertise – with over 25 years’ experience as a systemic coach and leadership development consultant across sectors, Vanessa focuses on transformational coaching. Her psychological grounding and deep training help leaders and teams make breakthroughs in understanding, let go of limiting beliefs, engage stakeholders with skilful dialogue and courageously walk a bold path.

About Vanessa – Vanessa’s team coaching style is energetic, confident and engaging. She connects well with all team members and encourages stakeholder involvement to align success with changing contexts. Teams describe her as insightful, compassionate, quick to build trust, sharply focused on outcomes, and skilled at balancing support and challenge.

Credentials – Professional Certified Coach (ICF) | Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching (AoEC & University of Middlesex) | International Systemic Coaching Certificate (AoEC) | Thinking Environment Coach (Time to Think Ltd) | Team Coaching Fundamentals Certificate (AoEC) | Certificate in Executive Coaching Supervision (AoEC) | BSc (Hons) Psychology | MBTI Step I and II | DISC | MSCEIT (EQ diagnostic) | Team 360 Connect | AffinaOD Team diagnostic tools | CBT tools for Coaches | Coaching Neurodiversity.

With a strong background in corporate governance and strategic leadership in the NHS, Social Care, Local Authorities, community and commercial organisations, Penny brings deep experience from both public and private sectors. As Chair, Penny leads the Board’s work and ensures effective communication with the Skills for Care Board, on which Penny also sits.

Leader of large transformation teams and operational services, Naser has deep specialist knowledge of improving cancer services in the NHS. Naser brings invaluable expertise leading high performing multi-disciplinary teams spanning clinical, operational, quantitative & qualitative research, analytical, and management consultancy. Naser is also a member of the Skills for Care Board.

Tristram brings extensive senior level leadership experience as Deputy CEO of Skills for Care and from previous roles across central and local government. Tristram champions a culture of continuous improvement and inclusive leadership across the organisation.

What does Anne bring to AOD?

As Client Support Co-ordinator, Anne is behind the scenes, ensuring that AOD’s programmes run smoothly and efficiently. Her calm, professional approach and meticulous attention to detail help keep everything on track—from coordinating logistics to liaising with clients and Associates. She’s someone who quietly makes a big difference, ensuring that the team’s work is delivered seamlessly.

Why does Anne like working at AOD?

“It’s important to me to work for an organisation like AOD that genuinely cares about its people and its work and that we make a positive difference – I love that.”

What does Dani bring to AOD?

As Business Support Manager, Dani plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly and ensuring that everyone—whether part of the Core Team or the wider Associate network—feels connected and supported. Her calm, can-do attitude makes her a steady presence, even when things get busy or complex. A deep knowledge of our systems and processes gives Dani invaluable oversight across all areas of AOD. Dani offers a grounded perspective will ask thoughtful questions or challenge assumptions, which often adds enormous value to the team’s thinking and decisions.

Why does Dani like working at AOD?

“I enjoy the variety and pace of things at AOD. For me, being part of a small and close-knit team means there’s always room to adapt, evolve, and try new things.”

What does Clare bring to AOD?

As Marketing Communications Manager, Clare brings a creative and thoughtful approach to how AOD communicates its values and work. With a strong background in marketing and a flair for both words and visuals, she’s skilled at turning complex ideas into clear, engaging messages that reflect the heart of the organisation. Clare has a fantastic ability to balance creativity with clarity and never fails to bring a sense of warmth and fun to the team.

Why does Clare like working at AOD?

“I love that no two days are the same – there’s always a new story to tell, a campaign to shape, or a message to get across. We are all quite different but the dynamic works.”

What does Lindsey bring to AOD?

As Business Support Officer, Lindsey brings a calm, considered presence to AOD, combining her deep sector knowledge with a sharp eye for detail. Her interest in politics and policy gives her a unique perspective to shape and inform conversations. Whether it’s navigating GDPR, refining internal processes, or keeping projects on track, Lindsey’s methodical approach ensures nothing is overlooked. Beyond her technical strengths, Lindsey brings warmth and humour to the workplace—often with a well-timed Friday smile that lifts the whole team.

Why does Lindsey like working at AOD?

“ What I love most is the mix of professionalism and genuine kindness. I’m inspired every day by how the team supports each other and works with real purpose and I know 100% that I can always ask others in the team for help.”

What does Lori bring to AOD?

As Service Delivery Manager, Lori brings a sharp eye for detail and a natural talent for coordination to AOD’s operations. With a background in account and project management, she thrives on keeping things organised and making sure communication flows smoothly between clients, Associates, and the Core Team, always looking for ways to improve systems and streamline processes. Lori brings a proactive, warm and collaborative spirit to everything she does.

Why does Lori like working at AOD?

“I’m so happy to be part of AOD – it’s a place where ideas are welcomed and you’re encouraged to show up as your full self. Teamwork isn’t just a buzzword for us, it’s genuinely how we get things done.”

What does Rebecca bring to AOD?

As Programme Development and Quality Manager, Rebecca plays a central role driving continuous improvement and quality across our portfolio. Her in-depth knowledge of the organisation’s programmes and digital platform, gives her a unique view of how everything connects. Her system know-how makes Rebecca an invaluable go-to for the team and clients. Whether it’s supporting a colleague, improving a process, or answering a tricky question, Rebecca responds with patience and a quiet confidence that puts others at ease

Why does Rebecca like working at AOD?

“What’s great is team-based working isn’t just a concept—we actually live it every day. It’s how we do things – and how AOD makes a positive difference to others. I just love continually learning in my role.”