Meet the team

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About Us

Our talented facilitators and coaches

The team at Antoinette Oglethorpe have been nothing other than impressive in their approach in supporting us move from face-to-face learning to digital learning for our staff. It is through their “can-do” attitude, creativeness and drive to continuously push the boundaries and deliver, that we have fully interactive learning sessions using functionality in ways we did not know we could.

L&D Business Partner, FCDO Services

As you would expect from Team AO, our team of expert facilitators are all very different, but we do have several things in common:

We’ve all had varied and successful business careers, with backgrounds in learning and development and experience of large, international organisations.

We share a common set of values and a consistent way of working.

We’re passionate about career development and mentoring.

We know our stuff and we know it works because we practice what we preach.

We draw on our real experience of leading and developing others in the workplace.

Antoinette Oglethorpe profile picture

Antoinette Oglethorpe

Director
Clare Roberts profile picture

Clare Roberts

Lead Facilitator

Gwen Tredinnick

Marketing
Darya Heckford profile picture

Darya Heckford

Client Relationships Manager
Aitana Leret profile picture

Aitana Leret

Facilitator
Katie Thomas profile picture

Katie Thomas

Facilitator
Amy Farnfield profile picture

Amy Farnfield

PA
Kathryn Walker Profile

Kathryn Walker

Facilitator
Antoinette Oglethorpe profile picture

Antoinette Oglethorpe

Director

I am an award-winning consultant, coach, speaker and author with 30 years’ experience developing leaders for multi-national organisations. I am a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, a member of the Association for Coaching and a member of the Institute of Leadership.

A defining moment of my career was when I helped start up Avanade, a joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft. That was the inspiration behind my first book, “Grow Your Geeks – A Handbook for Developing Leaders in High-Tech Organisations.”

My second book “Confident Career Conversations. Empower your employees for career growth and retention” won the Leadership Book of the Year Award runner up at the Leadership Awards in 2023.

I was named Mentor or Coach of the Year 2022 at the Stevie Awards. Best Business Woman in the SME MK and Buckinghamshire Awards 2020 and Best Coach in the Best Business Woman Awards 2019.

Why you love working at AO

We have a brilliant team and fabulous clients. We are helpful, we have fun, we deliver great work that makes a positive difference and we are always learning.

Professional passion

I want to create a world of productive employment and sustainable economic growth.  My mission is to empower my clients, colleagues and community to fulfil their potential so their work lives are more rewarding and satisfying.

Testimonial

Antoinette is a clear thinking leader with a keen eye for what works and what can be improved. With clients and colleagues, she manages to mix her high level of professionalism with both a sincere interest in the other person and an appropriate level of humour. Antoinette is clearly passionate about her subject and this is what draws people to her expertise and ways of thinking.

Personally

My work is multi-national and so am I. My father was Irish and my mother was Australian. I was born and brought up in London but am a Geordie by marriage. Maybe it’s no wonder I love to travel.

Personal Passion

I am passionate about people and travel.  I love to learn about different places and cultures.

Favourite quote​

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

Clare Roberts profile picture

Clare Roberts

Facilitator

I am an experienced and qualified Career Coach, Mentor and Facilitator, an Associate of the CIPD, and a Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management. I have spent over 25 years’ in the area of Leadership Development and Career Coaching, working with organisations across the public, private and not for profit sectors. Organisations I have worked with or for include Halifax Plc, London Underground, University of Hertfordshire, NHS and the RSPB.

Why you love working at AO

I love working at AO Ltd as we are a virtual team who work well together and have fun! We have some great clients and we are constantly evolving and learning together both as a team and with our clients, whilst providing the best possible professional service.

Professional passion

The one thing I love most about the work I do is the feeling I get when I help clients to realise their potential and become the best that they can be! If I can in any small way facilitate that learning then I am happy.

Testimonial

Clare has blended support and challenge in a way that fits her mastery of the techniques she passes on. Her passion for helping people be the best they can be, together and individually has been constant and unyielding.

Personally

I have been married to John for 30 years and we have 3 grown up children of whom we are very proud. I love the great outdoors, walking and sailing and being with my family.

Personal Passion

My key value is being helpful and this is a major driver of all that I do – happily it is also one of our key values at AO Ltd!

Favourite quote​

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled they will say ‘We did it ourselves’. I love this quote because it resonates as a leader, a parent or as a facilitator!

Gwen Tredinnick

Marketing

I’ve spent the last 15 years working as a digital strategist, working in all aspects of digital from website development to marketing strategy and delivery. Leading and innovating ways of working to stay ahead of the curve and deliver impeccable results.

Why you love working at AO

I love working at AO because it really is a business led by it’s values. We’re a nimble, flexible and innovative team. Constantly learning, being helpful and most importantly having fun.

Professional passion

I get a huge amount of personal satisfaction in helping my team and clients achieve their potential and fulfil their aspirations.

Testimonial

Gwen is the Mary Poppins of the digital world, practically perfect in every way. She’s an extremely motivating person to speak to and has certainly driven myself and our online team to achieve so much more than we’d ever manage alone.

Personally

Family comes first in everything I do. I have a small but perfectly formed family and they’re at the heart of anything I do. I LOVE to travel, and spend my off time trying to cram in as many new places and experiences as I can.

Personal Passion

Animals and food, simple! I love animals, mine, other people’s, any animals really. That and a bit of serious eating is my personal passion.

Favourite quote​

Worry is a misuse of the imagination.

Darya Heckford profile picture

Darya Heckford

Client Relationships Manager

I am an experienced Client Relationship Manager, with over 20 years of experience in all client interactions from all walks of life. I have worked in logistics and healthcare industry for international corporations such as Parcelforce, UPS, Elis and Accacium Group, and have managed teams of Account Managers, Sales Executives and Client Relationship Executives.

Why you love working at AO

I love working at Team AO because it is truly an environment where we are helpful and have fun. The team is amazing and we work with some extraordinary customers that push us to be nimble, innovative and creative.

Professional passion

I love helping clients, and pulling it out of the bag. That impossible deal to meet the impossible deadline.

Testimonial

Darya was my Regional Key Account Manager for about a year. She was very supportive, and showed me guidance whenever I needed it. I learnt a lot from her.

Personally

I have 2 amazing children and an annoying cat. Eepy is my assistant and loves posing for photos that I share on LinkedIn, although she tends to try and lie on my keyboard rather than stay out of my work.

Personal Passion

Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, in all walks of life. It brings peace knowing that you can always be yourself.

Favourite quote​

All thing being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people that they know, like and trust. Bob Burg

Aitana Leret profile picture

Aitana Leret

Associate Trainer

I am a PCC certified coach (ICF) and trainer with 10 years of experience in Talent Development working with international companies empowering global talent to unlock their potential. I have delivered training online and on-site in more than 20 different countries in Spanish, English and French.

Why you love working at AO

We are a team of like-minded people with a passion for helping others take ownership of their careers. I love learning from them and from our international clients. It’s an honour to facilitate career development training for United Nations agencies and to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Professional passion

I love to help people connect with their unique qualities and experiences and utilise them to create the lives they want for themselves.

Testimonial

Aitana, our time together has transformed my life! I have overcome my doubts and fears, I got a strong sense of who I am and what I want, and I just got my dream job. I can’t thank you enough!

Personally

I am Spanish, and after living in Ireland, Nepal, and Paris, I am currently based in the south of France. I enjoy spending time in nature, gardening, meditation and contemplate my Italian greyhound running on the beach.

Personal Passion

Lifelong learning, I especially enjoy learning about myself and to actively work towards self-actualization.

Favourite quote​

Learning is an experience, everything else is just information - Albert Einstein

Katie Thomas profile picture

Katie Thomas

Associate Trainer

I am a trainer, facilitator and strategy consultant with 10 years’ experience working across multinational organisations such as Diageo, Kantar, Google, Heineken, and School of Life. I am studying a masters in Transaction Analysis Psychotherapy which provides an in depth understanding of how relationships are developed and effective communication styles, which can be applied personally and professionally. I am passionate about helping people live more fulfilled lives and I combine this passion with my commercial experience to facilitate engaging and actionable workshops for you and your teams.

Why you love working at AO

Team AO is a great example of where our values are genuinely lived and breathed every day – it’s a wonderfully fun, flexible and passionate team.

Professional passion

I love the ‘aha’ moment – when I can see a new skill or way of thinking has had a real impact on someone and will benefit them going forward.

Testimonial

Katie is a brilliant facilitator - she was very measured in her approach and was willing to listen as much as talk. You could tell she really cared about the content she was sharing.

Personally

I live in Cornwall so exploring the beautiful coastline in our campervan ‘Percy’ is absolutely one of my favourite things.

Personal Passion

I have always been so intrigued and curious about understanding our own human behaviour, particularly how we build relationships with others – I am super excited to be learning more about this through my Psychotherapy Masters!

Favourite quote​

The mind does most of its best thinking when we aren't there. The answers are there in the morning.

Amy Farnfield profile picture

Amy Farnfield

PA to Antoinette Oglethorpe

I am an experienced and passionate Executive Assistant, supporting time-poor professionals with flexible, professional and discreet PA support and people consultancy. I have many years’ experience working for a number of organisations and small businesses. I am an Associate member of the CIPD.

Why you love working at AO

The team at AO are friendly, passionate about their work and genuinely want to support others. The team work together fabulously well, have lots of fun and deliver a consistent level of high service; which I enjoy being able to support. Working somewhere that aligns with my own values is incredibly important and team AO offer just that.

Professional passion

I have a passion for seeing results by being part of making a difference for both individuals and organisations. I enjoy using my experience and skills to support others, always providing a high level of service and professionalism.

Testimonial

Amy is completely indispensable to the whole team. She is efficient, reliable, responsive, adaptable, super speedy and has one of the strongest and most positive work ethics of anyone I have ever met. Nothing is too much trouble for Amy - she goes above and beyond.

Personally

I have an amazing family who love being outdoors. I enjoy keeping myself fit and healthy through running, pilates, yoga and the gym. When not dashing around, I enjoy reading and studying.

Personal Passion

I enjoy travelling to new places across the world. I love learning about other cultures and tasting new cuisines.

Favourite quote​

If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.

Kathryn Walker Profile

Kathryn Walker

Facilitator

I am a consultant, coach and facilitator with 25 years experience working across a wide range of sectors, helping organisations manage cultural change, develop great leaders and supporting people to thrive.

Why you love working at AO

I love being part of such a talented and passionate team who make such a positive difference to peoples lives. Its also great that we have so much fun along the way!

Professional passion

I am passionate about helping organisations, teams and individuals to thrive. I have a fundamental belief that people are the most important asset that any organisation has and that unlocking and harnessing the people potential in your organisation is the key to success.

Testimonial

Kathryn brings a structured, considered approach to coaching that allows you to open up comfortably and make progress in an honest, well-supported way. Her work is responsive and targeted and you can shape your own goals and requirements with Kathryn’s support. I always feel like I come away equipped with useful tools and meaningful changes to make after a coaching session.

Personally

I live in Greater Manchester with my husband Martyn, 2 wonderful teenage children and the boss of our house, Minnie our Cava tzu! I love music, food, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Personal Passion

I’m an incredibly curious person so I love to spend time getting to know people, what is important to them and helping them to realise their ambitions. I also love to have fun with friends and family listening to good music and eating good food!

Favourite quote​

Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else. Judy Garland.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in exploring how we might be able to help you, please complete the form below and we will be in touch as soon as we can – usually within 48 hours.

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Alternatively, call us on 07957 604783 or email info@antoinetteoglethorpe.com

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confident career conversations book Cover by Author Antoinette Oglethorpe