Find Out More About Us
Our team come from a variety of backgrounds but share our common values and are all experts in their field. Scroll down to find out more about us.
Antoinette Oglethorpe
Director
I am a 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 and Management.
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.”
I was named Best Coach in the Best Business Woman Awards 2019 and Best Business Woman in the SME MK and Buckinghamshire Awards 2020.
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
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!
Oona Hudson
Associate
I am an experienced learning and development professional and have developed leadership programmes, organisational learning approaches and have coached and mentored people to achieve their ambitions. I am a fully qualified coach with a masters level qualification in life coaching and post graduate (level 7) qualifications in coaching, CIPD, leadership and management and in teaching adults. I usually work with organisations with purpose, the latest being Samaritans, Mental Health First Aid England, Relate, British Medical Association and Dogs Trust.
Why you love working at AO
I love working with the AO team who are enthusiastic, positive and share my love of learning from each other and with our clients.
Professional passion
To work with people who are following their own purpose to achieve great things in their world. I believe everyone has a great story and some just need a helping hand or a nudge to achieve it. I am curious and love to learn from other people and share my insights.
Testimonial
Oona's response to my requirements was impressive from the outset… I really enjoyed working with Oona and loved that she stretched my thinking and helped us create a business fit for growth. Thank you!
Personally
Having moved about regularly, I have recently moved to Cornwall which feels like coming home at last. My philosophy to life and work is that they should align positively and the Cornish lifestyle fits with my creativity and love of the sea.
Personal passion
I love learning new things and finding new outlets for my creativity, my latest triumphs are sea swimming and crochet.
Favourite quote
To be 'on purpose' means you're doing what you love to do, doing what you're good at, and accomplishing what's important to you.
Gwen Tredinnick
Marketing
I’ve spent the last 13 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.
Jenny O’Brien
Assistant
I am a virtual assistant with over 20 years’ experience supporting board level executives from businesses of all sizes, multinationals to higher education institutes, SMEs and start-ups.
Why you love working at AO
The AO team love to help, they’re friendly, have fun and all enjoy being part of the virtual team. They also embody the AO core values which reflect my professional attributes.
Professional passion
I love helping clients, utilising my expertise to meet their goals. Always providing first class support with a smile.
Testimonial
Jenny brings a real energy to her work. I can always rely on Jenny for high quality outputs, delivered on time, and with great enthusiasm. She is dedicated and determined to deliver the best possible results, with a desire to continuously improve ways of working.
Personally
My greatest pleasure is spending time with my family.
Personal passion
Being in the great outdoors, exploring and having new adventures.
Favourite quote
There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on.
Hani El Sharkawi
Associate Trainer
I am an experienced and qualified Coach, Trainer, Mentor and University Lecturer. I call Vienna home. My many years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry have taken me to Astana, Paris, Singapore and Vancouver.
Why you love working at AO
I love working with Team AO as everyone is so professional, passionate and fun to work with. The team members are all focused on putting clients’ needs first and sharing their knowledge and experience.
Professional passion
I love helping individuals and organisations grow and flourish. I was fortunate enough to gather many years of leadership experience around the globe and love to share my knowledge and skills to assist others in excelling in what they do. I particularly enjoy working with diverse and multicultural teams.
Testimonial
Mr. Hani El Sharkawi is a true visionary. Integrity, passion, dedication and graciousness are at the cornerstones of his character. He is a highly organized individual who truly cares about everything he does. In addition to speaking 6 languages, he is an inspiring leader.
Personally
I grew up between Alexandria and Vienna, graduated from high school in the USA and have lived and worked in 7 countries. I enjoy traveling, discovering new cultures and experiencing amazing hotels. I also love cooking and a relaxed evening with friends.
Personal passion
I am passionate about people and cultures. I am an animal lover and a vegetarian. I absolutely love Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks.
Favourite quote
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Contact
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.
Alternatively, call us on 07957 604783 or email info@antoinetteoglethorpe.com