People at the heart of everything we do

About Alessandra

Alessandra Mongiardino is an accomplished executive and independent Non-Executive Director with nearly 30 years of international expertise in Risk Management. Her impressive career has seen her hold senior roles at prestigious financial institutions, including NatWest, Nordea, and HSBC. Alessandra has a profound ability to deliver high-quality, risk-based advice, employing a strategic and holistic approach to risk management that is essential in today’s complex business environment.

Currently, Alessandra serves as an independent Non-Executive Director for Triodos Bank UK and First Garden Cities Homes. She is also an active member of the Financial Services Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Advisory Board of Essex Business School. Additionally, she is a trustee of the Benslow Music Trust. Before embarking on her non-executive career, Alessandra was the Managing Director of Financial and Strategic Risk at NatWest Group, where she was recognised as one of the top 150 leaders in the organisation.

Alessandra is passionate about leveraging risk management as a catalyst for sound decision-making and robust corporate governance. She regularly shares her extensive insights at industry events and serves as a guest lecturer on risk management at various business schools in the UK and Italy. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Warwick and an MSc in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Southampton. Alessandra’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes her an invaluable asset to our Risk & Strategy module.

About Zoe

Zoë Webster is a leading AI expert with over 20 years’ experience spanning research, innovation, and large-scale deployment. Most recently, she led BT’s AI Centre of Enablement, delivering data science and AI solutions as part of a major digital transformation. Prior to that, she drove cross-sector innovation at Innovate UK, shaping the UK’s AI and manufacturing strategies.

Zoë began her career developing advanced technologies at QinetiQ and SEA and holds both an MSc and PhD in AI. In 2023, she provided expert evidence to the House of Lords on Large Language Models, and in 2024 was named one of AI Magazine’s Top 10 AI Leaders in the UK and Europe.

As a seasoned practitioner and strategic leader, Zoë brings deep technical insight and real-world experience to the AI & Governance module she facilitates.

About Troy

Troy Norcross is a seasoned Non-Executive Director, strategic advisor, coach, and facilitator with deep expertise in scaling private equity-backed SaaS companies and driving digital transformation. With a background spanning global enterprises and high-growth startups, he specialises in aligning product, go-to-market strategy, and operations to accelerate growth and readiness for exit.

Having led a successful spinout at Volvo Group, Troy brings a sharp focus on turning strategy into results. He is known for connecting technology and AI governance directly to commercial outcomes, helping leadership teams sharpen focus, reduce friction, and deliver change at pace.

Troy’s experience advising boards and embedding with executive teams enables him to bring real-world, actionable insights to the AI & Governance module. His hands-on approach and ability to operate in complex environments make him an impactful facilitator, bridging strategy and execution across organisations.

He has supported over 50 startups in refining their strategic direction and continues to advise businesses on growth, value creation, and AI leadership.

About Will

Will James FCMA MBA is an experienced Management Accountant who has worked for large and often international companies in a number of sectors in a range of roles – including the London Stock Exchange, Royal Bank Of Scotland, Santander, HBOS, Lloyds, Aviva, Nationwide & BNP Paribas. He is known for being commercial whilst ensuring ‘people considerations’ and risks are taken seriously.

At a recent presentation he said “every choice ultimately impacts the numbers”. The 1st half of his career was spent in a range of Finance Leadership roles delivering Business Partnering – FP&A, decision support and value maximisation. Hence, he has a good grounding in how businesses work and of working across business functions (e.g. Sales/Marketing, IT, HR). A big passion is end-to-end processes (also known as joined up thinking) and avoiding sub optimisation.

After one annual budget too many and using his passion for end-to-end process efficiency, Will transitioned into Finance Transformation/Change. He’s led the delivery of a variety of projects: new ERP, mergers, offshoring and process improvement. In addition he’s set-up or reengineered Global Business Services/Finance Shared Services. Known for a hands-on, practical and pragmatic approach, Will uses influencing skills and logic to add value via collaboration across the business and its supply chain to deliver sustainable results. Another passion is CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).

Will has been deeply involved since passing all his professional exams 1st time, holding a number of Area Board and other roles. This was recognised in 2024 when he was presented with a Bronze Medal by CIMA. Will is an elected Member of Council (“NED”). After a varied career, Will is ‘giving something back’ via Charity Trustee/Board Member/Treasurer roles.

About Deirdre

Deirdre brings exceptional depth of experience from the boardroom, with a track record of driving impact at both executive and non-executive levels across the housing, charity and social enterprise sectors. She is currently Director of Governance at Sustain UK Ltd, where she leads on corporate governance, regulatory assurance, board effectiveness and improvement planning. Deirdre also sits on the Board of Nehemiah Housing Association.

She is Chair of Women Acting In Today’s Society (WAITS) and Chair of the Legacy Centre of Excellence, supporting women’s empowerment, community wealth-building, enterprise and the arts through strong, values-led governance.

About Matthew

Matthew Roberts is a visionary CEO and award-winning entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. Specialising in digital and strategic marketing, he harnesses the power of technology to drive business success. He has positioned Actuate as a global leader in elite coaching and mentoring through the innovative use of diagnostic assessments, earning a prestigious nomination for Entrepreneur of the Year at The Parliamentary Business Awards.

Matthew is driven by a passion for coaching and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals and teams excel. His ethos is central to Actuate’s mission: delivering transformative coaching, training solutions, and career development to organisations and individuals worldwide.

Matthew’s dynamic leadership has propelled Actuate to prominence, earning the company numerous accolades, including four consecutive Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards, a 10th place ranking in the Financial Times Top 100, and recognition as the Fastest-Growing E-Commerce Business in the Northwest; Actuate has also been celebrated at the CXA Awards and featured in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100. For Matthew, positive feedback from partners, clients, and employees is the truest mark of success.

Matthew’s impact transcends the corporate world. He is embracing the challenge of running 12 marathons in 12 months to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Brain Tumour Charity, and he actively manages the Weaver Panthers women’s football team. Matthew’s commitment to empowerment and growth resounds in all aspects of his life.

About Linda

Linda fosters a safe, supportive, and collaborative coaching environment that empowers clients to engage in focused thinking, reflective learning, and even unlearning to achieve their personal and professional goals.

She allows space for clients to introspect and deepen their self-understanding while providing valuable insights from a coach’s standpoint. Through these transformative sessions, clients gain fresh perspectives, master vital self-management skills, and build the confidence to take control of their development, unlocking their true potential.

Drawing from a comprehensive toolkit that includes Integral Theory, the Enneagram (Personality Profiling), Relationship and Systems Thinking, Mind-Body Connection, Leadership Maturity Stages, Dare to Lead™ principles and various Personal Mastery models, Linda facilitates profound shifts in client thinking, behaviour, and actions.

With over nine years of experience and more than 2,500 coaching hours, Linda is an international coach who has supported clients across the globe, from Africa and the Middle East to Europe, India, and the U.S. Her diverse clientele ranges from young adults and mid-level managers to senior executives and those transitioning into retirement.

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About Gwyn

Gwyn is an accomplished Professional Coach, Coach Supervisor, Trainer, Assessor, IQA, and Chartered Management Consultant, combining rich experience from the public, private, charitable, voluntary, and education sectors.

Informed by over 30 years in the Police Service, where he attained the rank of Acting Assistant Chief Constable, Gwyn has held senior academic positions at the University of South Wales and the National Policing Improvement Agency. His distinguished career as an ethical leader allows him to design, develop, and deliver transformative leadership, coaching, and mentoring programmes that enhance organisational performance in the UK and beyond.

Known for his dynamic and innovative approach, Gwyn excels in guiding clients through complex, customer-focused improvement and learning processes. He is dedicated to advancing diversity in leadership development and empowering individuals to unlock their potential through customised personal and professional growth strategies.

Gwyn’s expertise spans Leadership, Coaching Supervision, Executive Coaching, Life Coaching, Workplace Strategy Coaching, Leadership Mentoring, Management Consultancy, Organisational Change, Strategic Management, Learning & Development, Assessment & IQA, Training of Trainers, and Course Design, Delivery & Evaluation.

About Maria

Nominated as the UK Business Hero 2020 by the British Chamber of Commerce and featured in The Sunday Telegraph and The Times, Maria is an innovative coach distinguished by her unwavering commitment to leadership development. She excels in aligning organisational values with brand identity and thrives in demanding environments. Her expertise manifests in her impactful work across the UK and Europe, advocating for women’s advancement in the workplace.

Recent highlights include:

• Designing and delivering a ‘Leadership Development’ workshop for the EFPIA’s (European Federation of Pharmaceuticals Industry Association) Director General and Senior Team in Brussels, representing the biopharmaceutical industry in Europe.
• Spearheading an online ‘Women Leadership Development’ program and Dialogue Workshops for GSK global pharmaceuticals.
• Facilitating a 2-day workshop for Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising in London.

With over a decade of experience in the corporate energy sector, Maria has implemented successful change and performance management strategies throughout Europe, enhancing operational efficiency and surmounting performance challenges. She excels in diverse settings, serving a broad international clientele. Her dynamic approach and rich expertise position her as a driving force in transformative leadership. Her reputation as a global thought leader underscores her client value.

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About Jeremy

Jeremy brings a wealth of expertise as a Board Executive, Board Advisor, Independent Director and Non-Executive Director across global PLCs and successful start-ups. Leveraging 25+ years of business leadership experience globally, he equips clients with cultural and commercial awareness, fostering authentic leadership, innovative thinking, and strategic decision-making skills.

Jeremy challenges clients to think differently, embrace their strengths, and cultivate a mindset that fuels success. He offers tailored techniques, tools, and perspectives that drive significant personal and organisational development. His services include individual and team leadership coaching, executive & career development, group facilitation, and bespoke coaching programmes.

Jeremy’s practical approach is backed by extensive firsthand experience and a strong network of professional connections. Since 2013, he has been a Board/NED and C-suite Career & Performance Coach, working with organisations from Fortune 500 companies to ambitious start-ups. Jeremy also coaches individuals, including CEOs, Board members, aspiring executives, and prominent personalities.

A self-described “positive maverick,” Jeremy is dedicated to revolutionising how leaders and organisations manage relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and communities. He champions accountability, governance and environmental responsibility.

About Geoff

Geoff is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in Assessment, Internal Quality Assurance (IQA), and Project Management. With a strong ability to adapt, improvise, and overcome challenges at all levels, Geoff excels in managing training programmes and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Geoff has successfully led complex projects, overseeing every phase from planning to execution and consistently delivering high-quality outcomes. He has contributed to the development of accredited training programmes, worked on significant consultancy initiatives, and improved safety measures across various sectors. Known for their leadership and collaboration skills, Geoff has consistently built strong partnerships and driven successful training outcomes.