Managing Director Jane Sunley (FHCIMA), originally a hospitality operator, spent a number of years honing her people expertise as MD of a high profile company providing specialist human resources solutions to the catering industry. In addition to running learnpurple, Jane holds two non executive directorships, is Vice-Chair of the Hotel & Catering Personnel and Training Association and has been instrumental in the success of several high profile employment and people development projects. She is also a member of the Talent Foundation and sits on their advisory board. Jane is a frequent contributor to Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine and is regularly invited to give speeches and media interviews on people issues.
Jo Harley, Director, worked within hospitality for seven years since graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in Recreation Management. Having managed licensed premises for Allied Domecq Inns, she progressed on to sales and marketing with Bacardi Martini. Jo joined learnpurple six months after its formation and was rapidly promoted to the board whereupon she assumed responsibility for the talent toolbox suite of web-enabled employee communications products.
Helen Flint, Head of Learning and Development, joined learnpurple in August 2005. Her background is in hospitality recruitment and catering operations. She visits clients to carry out diagnostic work, helping to design the ideal solution for each individual project. Helen is also a qualified executive coach.
Jon Reed. Jon's background is in hospitality management where he has held management roles for international, national and independent organisations. As the winner of Acorn Scholarship in 2004 and Acorn Award in 2006 Jon thrives on achievement and is a member of the Oak Committee and an advisor to Westminster Kingsway University. He is passionate about people and is regularly invited to speak at conferences and exhibitions.
Alex Thomson, Customer Services Manager, joined learnpurple in September 2005. He is a recent graduate from the University of Tasmania in Hobart and has a degree in Accounting and Marketing. Alex’s calm nature makes him popular with all our clients.
Jodi Goldman, Assistant to the Directors, joined the team in August; she has a Marketing Communications degree and a background in journalism and public relations. With her friendly disposition and willingness to help, she is a great first point of contact for learnpurple.
Mary-Jane (MJ) Flanagan is an experienced manager and operator having spent over two decades in the hospitality industry. Her specialist areas are restaurants and bars so she brings a commercial approach to her courses. She opened All Bar One for Bass as well as other branded groups such as Tiger Lil's. MJ is committed to the development of people to enable them to provide the highest possible standards in all areas. As someone who has proved the benefits of taking a systematic approach, MJ favours training and development, which is logical, practical and relevant and can take the business forward ensuring a return on investment, which improves the bottom line.
Tim Browne, a Training Director, spent over fifteen years in the hospitality and leisure industry developing businesses by working with their people. Tim is a creative and talented trainer who is certified to train in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy(TM) and hypnosis. Tim specialises in communications and management development. His involvement with the industry extends to contributing to developmental forums and membership of committees such as the HCPTA.
Peter Johnson has worked in the field of training, development and consultancy for over 20 years. Since leaving the Further Education sector, he has been a consultant, advisor and trainer to many industry sectors, majoring in the hospitality industry. He has assisted numerous large and small organisations towards their business goals and has presented seminars on business development both in the UK and the USA. He is also an external examiner in management studies for Thames Valley University and chairs a variety of business development forums.
Jacqui Matthews is an enthusiastic training professional with general experience and a special interest in personal development. An excellent communicator able to interact at all levels. Self-motivated with a track record developing teams, driving projects, providing support, co-ordinating participation, training needs identification & solution development at various levels. Successfully implemented development programmes for groups & individuals through training & coaching, focusing on customer satisfaction & business development. Operational & HR experience. She is also a licensed NLP practitioner.
Sonia Gavira (BA Hons, MBA, Dip M, MCIM, Dip DM) is an accomplished business woman - her ability to both see the bigger picture and nail the detail where necessary have already made her a successful marketer and executive coach across industries as varied as airlines, household electrical goods, retail, hospitality, personal stationary and office products. She is devoted to learning - a language graduate, Sonia went on to gain Institute of Marketing and Direct Marketing diplomas, before attaining an MBA at Ashridge Business School. Sonia is also an accredited coach having qualified with the Coaching Academy.
Amanda Rossi is a highly skilled, learner-centred facilitator with extensive experience in a wide range of industries including sales, recruitment, contact centres and the travel sector and has designed and delivered programmes for agents through to CEO's . Vivacious and fun, she has enjoyed a successful and varied career, having managed several projects including setting up and developing contact centres from the ground. Her mission is to encourage excellence and has served as a judge for many industry awards including the prestigious Customer Service Trainer of the Year Award in 2001. Amanda has personally designed a host of creative, behavioural changing courses for a wide range of individuals, which consistently achieve outstanding results that last. A highly skilled personal coach, she is also an NLP Business Practitioner.
David Klaasen is an enthusiastic and emotionally intelligent communicator who clarifies complex issues and engages audiences coaching Directors and Senior Managers and facilitating development workshops. As an accredited Adviser and NLP Master Practitioner, David currently specialises in helping organisations to understand and optimise models of best practice in Human Resource Management, to evaluate management effectiveness and implement organisational change in the Hotel sector. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Ellen Ryan has 25 years' experience in marketing/communication and problem-solving with a wide range of organisations in both commercial and not-for-profit environments. She is an NLP Practitioner, has a degree in secondary education, a business management qualification and additional training in psychology. She is an experienced trainer and a regular conference speaker.
