Our team

MSc Gestalt Psychotherapy GPTI; BEd (Hons); Cert and Dip in Counselling; UKCP registered.

Julia is a founding director of Thrive whose passion is understanding how training teachers in emotional development impacts on the behaviour and learning of children and young people. A former teacher, LEA and OFSTED inspector, her experience includes working with LEAs and schools to help them understand how children develop emotionally and socially. She has supported adults in schools and other organisations using Thrive, to trial the materials and to amend them based on information gained directly from users.

Julia was also a psychotherapist who worked with adults, children and young people, and is the co-author of ‘Promoting the Emotional Health and Well-being in Secure Units’ and ‘Promoting Emotional and Social Development in Schools’, as well as the co- creator of various resources addressing emotional health, inclusion, behaviour and the curriculum.

CSW; CTA (Certified Transactional Analyst); UKCP Registered Humanistic Psychotherapist.

Jan was a social worker and now has a psychotherapy practice. She works with children and adults, including some clients who are adoptees and vulnerable adults who have learning disabilities. She was a partner for many years of ‘Consultants in Social Work’ in which she developed courses for parents of adopted children and foster carers that considered ways to help traumatised and troubled children at home and at school.

Jan also developed courses and provided training focusing on issues including loss and bereavement, therapeutic approaches to challenging behaviours and counselling across a range of client groups.

With a background in finance, accounting and business support in a career spanning over 20 years, Nicki oversees the Central Services functions at Thrive. She brings a wealth of commercial experience to the role, drawn from a range of sectors including logistics, architecture, retail and management consultancy.

Nicki joined the Thrive team in July 2011. She contributes to the effective management of people, resources and finance to ensure the rapid and sustainable growth of the company. Nicki is committed to supporting the continual growth of the Thrive in our schools, social and healthcare settings. She is the proud mother of William.

Camille started working for Thrive on a temporary basis then joined the team permanently in May 2019.

Having previously worked in finance, customer services and management, Camille hopes to bring her knowledge and experience into her new role as Accounts Coordinator.

Liz is a doctor who joined the Thrive team in September 2016 as the Healthcare Sector Lead. She uses her experience as a GP to inform and develop the way that the Thrive Approach can be used to greatest effect in the healthcare sector. In addition to training, Liz also assists the Research and Development team to integrate current advances in neuroscience in the Thrive material which informs the work of Thrive practitioners.

Working for Thrive gives Liz the opportunity to bring together her knowledge gained through being a doctor and her first-hand experience of the importance of a supportive school environment in the welfare of children being brought up in challenging home circumstances. She is fascinated by the latest advances in neuroscience which continue to support why and how the Thrive Approach is so effective in bringing positive change to children’s (and adults’!) lives in simple yet profound ways.

Lia joined Thrive in March 2019 as Content and Publications Editor. As a member of the Research and Development team, Lia is involved in developing resources and content for Thrive training courses and publications.

Prior to joining Thrive, Lia spent several years working as a creative psychotherapist for children, young people and adults in the south-west. She has an MA in Dramatherapy and a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Arts Therapy (working creatively outdoors).

Lia also spent several years in Brazil, where she taught English as a Foreign language and then worked as Content Development Manager for an online English language learning platform. Lia has contributed and edited English language training materials for international publishers. She also speaks fluent Brazilian Portuguese and worked for several years as a translator and proofreader.

Working in the Research and Development team at Thrive has enabled Lia to combine the skills and knowledge from her backgrounds in therapy and writing to support Thrive to deliver its message and help all children to develop socially and emotionally whatever their start in life – something she is passionate about.

Chad joined the Thrive team in October 2018, bringing with him more than 20 years of commercial experience at management level across multiple industries including finance, banking and retail. Chad joined the team to facilitate the delivery and management of both non-technical and IT related projects supporting Thrives overall’s future plans.

Chad is passionate about supporting children and young people to develop their emotional and social availability, to overcome life’s challenges and experience life’s rewards

Mark joined the Thrive team in June 2017. As well as over 20 year’s experience in international publishing and media, he has many years of experience in marketing and PR for environmental, marine protection and animal welfare charities. He has collaborated with large media distributors such as Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Sony, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Animal Planet and Lucas Film.

Mark co-founded a social enterprise providing ethical-eco merchandise, e-commerce, marketing and PR solutions to global non-profit organisations which was a finalist as Most Innovative Eco-Business in the Digital Entrepreneur Awards, 2012. He secured/managed licensing agreements and developed co-branded products with global companies such as Quicksilver, Global Surf Industries, Lush! Cosmetics, Sector 9 Skateboards, Billabong, Hemp Hoodlamb, Von Zipper and Chaser LA, which led to sales at retailers such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. He organised several celebrity marketing, publicity, media and fundraising events in Hollywood and London.

A keen scuba diver and a BSAC Assistant Instructor, Mark is passionate about the oceans and has campaigned on marine conservation issues. He has served as Quarter-Master on the bridge of the Sea Shepherd vessel MV Steve Irwin intervening against pirate tuna fishing in the Gulf of Sidra, Iraq. In his spare time Mark is a Marine Mammal Medic for British Divers Marine Life Rescue as well as acting as Publicity Officer and a volunteer for the disability sailing organisation, Dart Sailability.

Working for Thrive gives Mark the opportunity to bring together his marketing, branding and broad-business experience to affect positive change in the lives children and adults.

Laura joined the Thrive team in February 2016, and helps to promote Thrive to a wider audience.

After studying Graphic Communication at University, Laura went on to work at creative agencies, as well as in-house for companies in the food and healthcare industries. Her career has continued to build her knowledge of marketing and design, and she enjoys utilising her creative skills in her role at Thrive.

Grace joined the Team as Member Services Co-ordinator in January 2016 and assists members with their continuing professional development and licensing. Grace supports Kate Middleton, Member Services Manager and works alongside Jeannette Allen and Charlotte Cole to continually develop our membership benefits and resources.

Before joining Thrive, Grace worked as a Primary School Teacher, obtaining a unique insight into how Thrive is used in schools and its considerable benefits in the classroom. Grace was delighted to join the team and continue the good work to improve and develop the member experience.

Charlotte joined Thrive in July 2017 and is delighted to support the team in maintaining an excellent member experience.

In 2008 Charlotte moved to the United States where she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, obtaining a degree in Theatre. Since graduating Charlotte has worked in various fields from Voice acting to Customer service, and most recently as an Elementary school Teaching Assistant.

Charlotte is thrilled to join the Thrive team as her first job back in the UK after many years.

Jess joined Thrive in April 2018 after having worked within the education sector for six years both as a teacher and as an advocate for employability skills, building relationships and creating opportunities.
Prior to this Jess was a qualified chef having specialised in Patisserie and ran her own small successful business.
Most recently Jess worked as a coach and tutor helping adults identify and overcome barriers to work and teaching individuals about setting up and running their own business. Jess holds a BA(Hons) degree in Business and a Diploma in Education and Training (with a focus on Special Educational Needs).

Jess works closely alongside the other members of the Business Development Team with a focus on managing client relationships, supporting all clients and the regional teams whilst raising the profile of Thrive. Passionate about removing barriers for children and young people to enable them to reach their full potential, Jess fully embraces the Thrive Approach.

Emma joined the Thrive team in August 2018 after working most recently as a TA in a primary school with a special focus on Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

After working with children who benefitted from The Thrive Approach, Emma joined the Relationship Development Team where she works closely with other members of the Relationship Development team to support all clients in their enquiries and to help spread the word about Thrive across the country.

Emma is looking forward to bringing the real life experience of working within a school, combined with her previous administrative background to her coordinator role in the Relationship Development Team. Emma is delighted to be working for Thrive and fully embraces the Thrive Approach ethos and value within schools.

Jen started her career as a Teacher after qualifying from Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent and has since held senior positions in the Education, Health and Social Work Sectors. Jen has worked in a number of Schools across England and Australia, teaching and creating positive, stimulating learning environments for her children. Jen quickly found her passion for working with vulnerable children and worked alongside families and child protection services to improve attendance and educational outcomes for children and young people in her School (Jen really wishes she knew about the Thrive Approach during this time!).

In 2008, Jen decided to fuel her passion for working with vulnerable people in the Community and became the Operations Manager for a social-purpose organisation in Australia, providing support services for; children in foster care, children and adults recovering from mental illness, counselling for survivors of domestic and family violence and support provisions for people with disability. Jen managed a team of social workers, psychologists and practitioners to deliver high quality support, specialising in complex trauma and the impact of abuse and neglect on brain development, these services were aimed at increasing resilience and the overall social and emotional wellbeing for vulnerable people.

Having returned to the UK to be closer to family and friends, Jen is thrilled to be working for Thrive as the Head of Sector for the South of England and is committed to closing the gap for vulnerable children and young people, enabling them to engage with life and learning.

After gaining a Bed (Hons) specialising in Primary Science, Pam has spent 22 years teaching in Primary Schools across Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry. She has a real love of learning and has taught children from Nursery through to Year Six. During her teaching career, she has had roles as a middle leader, Assistant Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and most recently a Head Teacher.

Whilst in leadership positions, Pam has taken lead roles in the development of Teaching and Learning through mentoring and coaching, enjoying supporting others to reflect and develop their own practice to best inspire and support the children in their care. Pam is passionate about the importance of a rich and balanced curriculum where children can explore and build upon their talents and develop resilience when facing new challenges and experiences. As a Deputy Headteacher, Pam was instrumental in designing a bespoke curriculum that was engaging, relevant and purposeful for children, and created projects for children, parents and carers to have fun and learn together.

Throughout all of Pam’s career, she has been truly invested in developing the whole child. She has always shown a keen interest in how to best provide the pastoral support and care that children need within a Primary setting in, and how developing strong relationships with children are key to putting children in the best possible position to learn. In 2016, Pam became a Licensed Thrive Practitioner, which she describes as being ‘the missing piece of the jigsaw’. She is fascinated by the neuroscience and physiology, and how the Thrive Approach uses up-to-date research to really make a difference with all of our children. She has successfully introduced and implemented Thrive as a Senior Leader and was thrilled to become a Thrive trainer in 2018. Pam is very proud to become part of the Thrive team as the Relationship Manager in the Central (East) region.

After gaining a Bsc Hons Biology, Kay went on to gain Qualified Teacher status after completing her PGCE. Working in a large secondary school, she found herself drawn to pupils that required additional support. In 2002 Kay took up the post of SENO and designated lead for LAC. Kay’s curiosity and interest in the underlying causes of behaviour took hold and led her to a post as a Specialist Behaviour Teacher for the Behaviour Support Service; both teaching in a Pupil Referral Unit and carrying out behaviour support across Worcestershire schools. Kay was later seconded within the LA to set up and run a small unit to provide behaviour support to mainstream pupils at risk of exclusion.

Kay continued to follow her love of neuroscience, in particular her understanding of attachment and developmental trauma, and she moved on to be Assistant Head and SENCO, then laterly Headteacher of a Pupil Referral Unit. In 2006, following an outstanding ofsted, she was placed on the National Register for Outstanding Leaders in Education, gaining a second ofsted Outstanding judgement in 2009. Following the Merge of two Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) Kay went on to be Deputy head and then headteacher of a KS3 /4 PRU in special measures. Kay has been a designated Senco, safeguarding and LAC lead throughout most of her career. She had also been a governor of a primary PRU setting for over 10 years.

It was in 2013 Kay embarked on her Thrive journey. For Kay this was a perfect marriage of her two passions; neuroscience and art! She was keen to implement Thrive into her setting which was instrumental in supporting the whole school community and bringing about rapid change in the school culture and ethos. After gaining her Thrive Practitioner Licence, Kay embarked on her journey to become a Thrive Trainer in 2015. Kay decided to return to mainstream as a Licenced Practitioner whilst also working as an Educational Consultant for social, emotional and mental health.
Kay is very excited to join the Thrive team and to continues to support both schools and pupils within her new role.

Dani has worked in schools for the past nine years since completing her degree in Childhood & Youth Studies‎ and Social Psychology.

Specialising in early years education she spent the first six years as a nursery nurse at Doncaster Road Primary School where she also became a staff governor and active member of the personnel committee.

In 2012 she successfully completed the Thrive Licensed Practitioner training and became one of the lead Thrive Practitioners at the school, where Thrive was one of the core tools used to support the school moving out of Special Measures.

To further her skills Dani successfully completed the Thrive Action Plan Mentor course and went on to train as a Thrive Trainer.

Dani was delighted to join the team in September 2015 and now undertakes the role of Relationship Manager. She continues to share her experience and knowledge with other professionals to develop their Thrive practice and support children.

Laura joined Thrive in July 2019 as a User Support Coordinator.

Prior to moving to Devon in 2018, Laura had previously lived in London all her life.

Laura has a vast customer services and administration experience, and she looks forward to contributing her knowledge to the team.

Lee has been a teacher for 20 years in schools across England and Wales. During that time, she held the positions of SENCO, Leader for Learning, Foundation Phase Leader and, for the last eight years, Behaviour Support Coordinator for a local authority.

In addition to her practical experience in education, Lee has a BA Hons QTS in English Literature and Media, as well as a BSc Hons in Social Policy and Social Sciences. This combination of practical and academic experience gives her a broad understanding and knowledge of the complex issues that families face.

In 2014, Lee was part of the first cohort of Thrive Licensed Practitioners to train in Wales. Putting Thrive into practice with pupils, families and schools, she was amazed by the powerful impact that it had and decided to train as a trainer as a result. In February 2016, she gained her licence as a Thrive Trainer and, in May 2016, was delighted to join the Thrive team as Regional Development Co-ordinator for Wales. Lee has recently taken on the role of Head of Sector and she hopes to continue the work of improving outcomes and life chances for all.

After gaining a Bed (Hons) specialising in Primary Science, Pam has spent 22 years teaching in Primary Schools across Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry. She has a real love of learning and has taught children from Nursery through to Year Six. During her teaching career, she has had roles as a middle leader, Assistant Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and most recently a Head Teacher.

Whilst in leadership positions, Pam has taken lead roles in the development of Teaching and Learning through mentoring and coaching, enjoying supporting others to reflect and develop their own practice to best inspire and support the children in their care. Pam is passionate about the importance of a rich and balanced curriculum where children can explore and build upon their talents and develop resilience when facing new challenges and experiences. As a Deputy Headteacher, Pam was instrumental in designing a bespoke curriculum that was engaging, relevant and purposeful for children, and created projects for children, parents and carers to have fun and learn together.

Throughout all of Pam’s career, she has been truly invested in developing the whole child. She has always shown a keen interest in how to best provide the pastoral support and care that children need within a Primary setting in, and how developing strong relationships with children are key to putting children in the best possible position to learn. In 2016, Pam became a Licensed Thrive Practitioner, which she describes as being ‘the missing piece of the jigsaw’. She is fascinated by the neuroscience and physiology, and how the Thrive Approach uses up-to-date research to really make a difference with all of our children. She has successfully introduced and implemented Thrive as a Senior Leader and was thrilled to become a Thrive trainer in 2018. Pam is very proud to become part of the Thrive team as the Relationship Manager in the Central (East) region.

After gaining a Bsc Hons Biology, Kay went on to gain Qualified Teacher status after completing her PGCE. Working in a large secondary school, she found herself drawn to pupils that required additional support. In 2002 Kay took up the post of SENO and designated lead for LAC. Kay’s curiosity and interest in the underlying causes of behaviour took hold and led her to a post as a Specialist Behaviour Teacher for the Behaviour Support Service; both teaching in a Pupil Referral Unit and carrying out behaviour support across Worcestershire schools. Kay was later seconded within the LA to set up and run a small unit to provide behaviour support to mainstream pupils at risk of exclusion.

Kay continued to follow her love of neuroscience, in particular her understanding of attachment and developmental trauma, and she moved on to be Assistant Head and SENCO, then laterly Headteacher of a Pupil Referral Unit. In 2006, following an outstanding ofsted, she was placed on the National Register for Outstanding Leaders in Education, gaining a second ofsted Outstanding judgement in 2009. Following the Merge of two Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) Kay went on to be Deputy head and then headteacher of a KS3 /4 PRU in special measures. Kay has been a designated Senco, safeguarding and LAC lead throughout most of her career. She had also been a governor of a primary PRU setting for over 10 years.

It was in 2013 Kay embarked on her Thrive journey. For Kay this was a perfect marriage of her two passions; neuroscience and art! She was keen to implement Thrive into her setting which was instrumental in supporting the whole school community and bringing about rapid change in the school culture and ethos. After gaining her Thrive Practitioner Licence, Kay embarked on her journey to become a Thrive Trainer in 2015. Kay decided to return to mainstream as a Licenced Practitioner whilst also working as an Educational Consultant for social, emotional and mental health.
Kay is very excited to join the Thrive team and to continues to support both schools and pupils within her new role.

Dominique has been working with children for 18 years, firstly as a swimming teacher, then progressing onto working in a school as a teaching assistant supporting children on a 1-1 basis with Social and Emotional difficulties. It was here that she discovered her passion for working with challenging children.

Dominique then moved on to Doncaster Road Primary School as the behaviour support worker where she later commenced Thrive training in 2012 and successfully became a Thrive Practitioner. This in turn lead to her becoming one of the lead Thrive Practitioners in the school and playing a vital role in supporting the school out of special measures.

Dominique then went on to complete the Thrive action plan mentor course and then became a Thrive Trainer. She has already supported many schools and professionals in embedding Thrive into their own settings, and feels privileged to have done so.

She is now in the next chapter in her Thrive journey as she has become a Relationship Manager for the North and Central England.

Chris joined Thrive in April 2019 as Training Operations Assistant, having spent the previous 10 years working varied roles within the hospitality industry.

Much of his experience has been in a training capacity, and he looks forward to contributing his experience to the team.

In September 2019, Chris has taken on a new role as Training Coordinator.