Founders
Jan Banks
Julia Bird
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.
Lynne Gerlach
M.Sc. Integrative Psychotherapy; Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (Metanoia); Integrative Psychotherapy; B.Ed (Hons); MBACP; Accredited team member for OFSTED Inspection of schools.
Lynne has been trained by Cruse in bereavement counselling, by the Terrence Higgins Trust in counselling for HIV/AIDS and by BACUP for counselling for cancer. She was a teacher, advisor and LEA inspector in education; a UK ‘expert’ on citizenship to the Council of Europe and a consultant evaluator for DfEE projects on truancy and disaffection. Lynne has been a consultant associate of the International School Effectiveness and Improvement Centre (ISEIC) Institute of Education, University of London and the Centre for Education Leadership and School Improvement (CELSI). She is a partner in Sowelu Associates and co-director of the UK’s first MA degree in ‘Emotional Literacy for Children’. She was co-director of the MA Integrative Psychotherapy at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE) from 2007-2009 and also contributes to the training of child pyschotherapists.
Lynne has published a number of articles and contributed to books on topics including the promotion of emotional and social development in schools, human rights education, anti-racist/anti- discriminatory practice and working with marginalised and disenfranchised groups.
Roe Lovelock
BA (Hons); CQSW; AASW; APT; MA Social Work Education and Training.
Roe tutors and practice teaches social work students who are studying for their Diploma in Social Work at Brunel, Kingston and Royal Holloway Universities. In conjunction with Jan Banks, as ‘Consultants in Social Work’, she has developed courses for parents of adopted children and foster carers that consider ways of helping traumatised and troubled children at home and in school. Roe has also developed other courses and provided training focused on issues such as loss and bereavement, therapeutic approaches to challenging behaviours and counselling across a range of client groups.
Management
Diana Dewing
Managing Director
Diana started in accountancy and business management before becoming a Chartered Marketer. Her specialist field is strategic marketing with more than 20 years experience at senior manager and board level.
When invited to lead the Thrive team, Diana was delighted to contribute to a programme with such profound and far reaching benefits for children and the adults who work with them. Her first tasks were to meet demand and structure for growth. Looking ahead, she believes feedback is key to on-going development of The Thrive Approach.
Lee Prichard
Head of UK Regional Development
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.
Kirsty Crowe
Head of Operations
Kirsty joined the Thrive team in Oct 2014 as our Training Operations Manager; she came on board to facilitate the smooth running of all our training courses. Kirsty has 6 years’ experience in a training and development background, and has had previous experience in the childcare sector.
Kirsty fully embraces the aims and objectives of Thrive and is keen to help in continuing to raise the profile of the organisation.
Fay Steer
Head of Marketing
Fay joined the Thrive team in October 2018 to oversee the marketing operation, helping Thrive to spread the news about the Thrive Approach and the positive impact it can have in supporting the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people.
A strategic marketing professional, with over 30 years’ experience of marketing – predominantly in the education sector – Fay is passionate about customer service, reputation and brand management, and the use of plain English!
Julia (Jules) Flynn
Head of Finance
Jules joined Thrive in February 2019, as a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience within both small companies and larger international groups in a number of sectors.
Jules hopes to bring additional commercial focus to the organisation to ensure that Thrive continues to expand its reach to as many children as possible.
Outside of work, her loves include baking, the sea, dogs and donkeys.
Australia and New Zealand
Regional Managers
Alistair Dewar
Jon Jones
Pam Carpenter
Relationship Manager - Central (East) England
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.
Melanie Fisher
Relationship Manager (East)
Mel has been working with children for over 25 years. She started in a village primary school supporting a child with Downs Syndrome on a 1-1 basis. This led to a job in a special school working with children who had complex needs including ASD and challenging behaviour. Working with children with ASD became a passion and the focus of the next few years. This time included working at a specialist residential setting in Norfolk now known as Acorn Park.
Feeling the need to return to a mainstream setting, Mel became a member of the Behavioural and Emotional Support Team known as BEST at a middle school in Suffolk. Here she enjoyed supporting children who were struggling to engage with learning and took this experience to a school in Norwich before working at a Specialist Resource Base for children with SEMH where her journey with Thrive began. Thrive Training commenced in 2012 and she became a licensed practitioner. Loving this role and wanting to take it to the next stage she completed the training to become a Thrive Trainer in 2018 and then was thrilled to be appointed to the role of Relationship Manager.
Having supported many schools, children and families in Norfolk throughout the SRB Outreach service, she is excited to be taking these relationships to the next stage across the East of England.
Joey Bowers
Relationship Manager (Wales)
Joey has worked with children and young people for over 14 years, starting in youth work, and then gaining a degree in Early Years Education and working as a Teaching Assistant, Humanities Teacher, Head of Department and Head of Year in Secondary schools.
He is also an experienced foster carer and is passionate about how we help Looked After Children access and thrive in education.
Joey joined the Thrive team in September 2018.
Diane Curtis
Relationship Manager (South-East)
Diane began her career in education in 1999. She has worked in Secondary and Primary phases supporting many children and young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, emotional difficulties and highly challenging behaviour. Diane gained HLTA status and went on to hold positions as Deputy to the SENCo/Inclusion Manager, Safeguarding Deputy, Pupil and Family Support and Parent Information Contact. Diane has always been passionate about working in a holistic way to support children, parents and carers with emotional needs and wellbeing.
Diane also held a role for five years at local authority level, as Assistant to Support Staff Adviser, this role included delivering the TDA Teaching Assistant Induction training module on Role & Context, devising and delivering an NQT induction module on Working with Additional Adults in the Classroom and was a member of the East Sussex HLTA selection panel and ran HLTA network meetings.
Diane first heard about Thrive in 2012 at an awareness session and felt immediately that all of her experiences had led her to this point, she completed her Thrive Primary Practitioner training in June 2012 and had a key role in embedding and developing Thrive in the school. She is passionate about Thrive and has seen some amazing developmental journeys using the Thrive Approach with children and families.
Diane was delighted to join the Thrive team in 2016, she is passionate about supporting others to develop their skills as Thrive Practitioners and ensuring schools and services are able to embed the Thrive Approach to improve life chances for children and young people.
Dani Lawson
Relationship Manager (North Central)
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.
Dominique Sagar
Relationship Manager (Yorks & Humberside)
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.
Lee Prichard
Head of UK Regional Development
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.
Rose Webb
Relationship Manager - South West England
Rose began her career in Education as a Secondary Teacher of Religious Education, PSHE and Drama. Rose became curious about why some young people could access the classroom environment with greater ease than others and through adapting her approach, soon discovered the power of experiential learning, creativity and connected, purposeful relationships.
Rose was keen to gain greater experience in SEN and became a support teacher for young people with social and emotional difficulties alongside undertaking some in school SENCO experience. Rose quickly observed the transformative effect of securely building a trusting relationship with pupils who had experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences and her passion for nurturing intervention work grew.
Rose moved into Pastoral Leadership and Whole School development of emotionally intelligent approaches for optimal social and emotional development and well-being. Rose joined the schools Extended Leadership Team and became a Staff Governor, focussing on Safeguarding, Attendance and Well-Being, working towards improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
In 2016 Rose became a Thrive Practitioner and lead the implementation of Thrive in her setting. Rose became a Thrive Trainer in 2017, driven by a strong passion for the Thrive Approach and supporting delegates embarking on their own Thrive journey.
Rose was delighted to be appointed South West Relationship Manager and looks forward to working alongside schools in her region.
Kay Hamilton
Relationship Manager – Central England
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.
Administration and Finance
Zena Cameron
Receptionist / Office Coordinator
Zena joined the team in November 2017. Having spent 17 years working for the Magistrates’ Court across administration and finance roles she felt like a change in direction.
With a degree in Psychology she was excited to learn about the Thrive Approach and pleased to have the opportunity to work in the organisation.
Utilising her administrative skills Zena is now the Receptionist / Office Coordinator and responsible for looking after the needs of all the teams.
In her spare time Zena enjoys painting and likes to take part in one off adrenalin sports which have included a parachute jump, paragliding, zip wiring, zorbing and flyboarding.
Camille Lovell
Accounts Coordinator
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.
Emma Dufty
Finance Co-ordinator
Emma joined Thrive in June 2018 as Finance Co-ordinator, having gained 14 years’ experience within the Accounts department for a housing developer. In this role Emma worked closely with the Sales and Construction teams obtaining in-depth knowledge of the construction industry. Emma has obtained her AAT Level 2 Accounting qualification and also has an NVQ level 2 in Business Administration. Feeling ready for a new challenge, Emma is excited about the opportunity of working with Thrive and hopes to be a great support to her colleagues in Finance.
When she’s not working, Emma runs several times a week and enjoys long walks with her Cocker Spaniel, Monty.
Nicki Courtney
Finance & Administration Manager
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.
Julia (Jules) Flynn
Head of Finance
Jules joined Thrive in February 2019, as a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience within both small companies and larger international groups in a number of sectors.
Jules hopes to bring additional commercial focus to the organisation to ensure that Thrive continues to expand its reach to as many children as possible.
Outside of work, her loves include baking, the sea, dogs and donkeys.
Content Development
Lia Ponton
Content and Publications Editor
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.
Liz Charles
Senior Lead: Healthcare
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.
Aimee Coles
Publications & Content Editor
With this background, she joins us as Publications and Content Editor on the Content Development Team, where she will create and edit Thrive’s training resources, bringing the Thrive message to a wider world.
Lucy Latchmore
Content Development Manager
Lucy joined the Thrive team in January 2016 and oversees the Research and Development Team to develop the resources and content for all Thrive training courses.
Prior to working at Thrive, Lucy worked in editorial and publishing in London for six years, and then as a secondary school English and Drama teacher in South Devon for six years.
Lucy is passionate about the social and emotional development of children and young people, and is excited to be contributing her experience to the development of Thrive.
IT
Chad Cookney
Project Manager
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
Luke Johnson
Software Development Co-ordinator
Luke joined Thrive in July 2017 with an experienced business intelligence and software background and a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.
After gaining an honours degree in computing from Sheffield Hallam University Luke has gained extensive experience from a variety of roles in service delivery, requirements analysis, technical support, data analysis, enterprise software, and databases.
Luke looks forward to contributing his technical experience to the team.
Bertie Bowser
IT Support Co-ordinator
Bertie joined Thrive in September 2019 with 14 years’ experience in the IT Sector.
Since leaving Bournemouth University in 2005 Bertie has had various roles in many areas of the IT industry including business management, technical support, sales and development.
Bertie looks forward to contributing his technical experience to the team.
Marketing
Fay Steer
Head of Marketing
Fay joined the Thrive team in October 2018 to oversee the marketing operation, helping Thrive to spread the news about the Thrive Approach and the positive impact it can have in supporting the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people.
A strategic marketing professional, with over 30 years’ experience of marketing – predominantly in the education sector – Fay is passionate about customer service, reputation and brand management, and the use of plain English!
Leonie Heath
Marketing Coordinator
Leonie joined the Thrive marketing team in June 2019 and helps to promote Thrive to a wider audience.
After studying English Literature and Language at university, Leonie went on to work in marketing for an international school, where she also trained to teach English as a foreign language. Leonie later moved to an academic publishing company where she helped to promote digital resources to universities across the UK and Europe.
In her role at Thrive, Leonie enjoys utilising her creativity and writing skills through our social media channels and blog posts.
Laura Joy
Graphic Designer
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.
Liz Parks
PR Officer
Liz joined Thrive in September 2019 as PR Officer.
As a member of the Marketing and Communications team Liz is responsible for promoting Thrive’s work to the media using traditional and digital channels. She also produces case studies to illustrate how the Thrive Approach works and the positive changes that it produces in behaviour and educational attainment.
Prior to joining Thrive, Liz held PR roles in higher education and the B2B utilities sector as well as working as a regional newspaper journalist for many years.
Liz enjoys using her content creation skills to highlight the benefits of the Thrive Approach and how it helps to create happy, healthy children who are open to learning.
Member Services
Kate Middleton
Member Services Manager
Kate joined the Team in May 2015 and assists members with their continuing professional development and licensing. Kate works alongside Grace Willams, Jeannette Allen and Charlotte Cole to develop member resources.
With a background in Member Services Kate was delighted to join the team to continue to improve the member experience.
Relationship Development
Tracy Murphy
Relationship Development Co-ordinator
Tracy joined the Thrive team in February 2020. She has worked in various sectors throughout her career, including retail, funeral care and welfare-to-work, where she supported the unemployed and people with disabilities to find sustainable employment.
As a member of the Relationship Development team, Tracy works closely with the Thrive regional team and supports clients with their enquiries. Tracy fully embraces the ethos and values of Thrive and is excited to use her varied experience to help raise awareness across the country.
Training
James Sheppard
Training Operations Team Leader
He is looking forward to contributing his experience to the team.
Trainers
Viv Trask-Hall
Head of Innovation in Education & Principal Trainer
Viv has been teaching in schools, often in challenging circumstances, for 22 years as a teacher, SENCo and senior leader. For the last 12 years she has been leading schools as both headteacher and executive headteacher in mainstream schools, a Co-operative Trust school and an academy. Most recently this has included Doncaster Road Primary School where she led the school successfully out of a special measures category by embedding Thrive as a core approach and using this as one of the tools to improve every area of practice.
Alongside these roles she has also been consultant headteacher for the Local Authority leading, amongst other things, the induction programme for new head teachers for several years. As an LLE it was her privilege to work alongside heads of other schools to support them in improving outcomes for children.
After successfully introducing Thrive into two of the schools where she had been headteacher she was thrilled to join the team as Regional Development Manager for the North of England in September 2015 and has more recently taken on the role of Principal Trainer.
Viv is passionate about supporting other professionals to embed the practice and reach as many children and families as possible.
Case studies
While it is important to understand the model behind The Thrive Approach, what really matters is the impact that it can have in practice for the development of an individual child or young person.
View case studiesNext steps
If you would like to discuss more about Thrive and what opportunities are currently available in your area, please click the link below or call the Thrive team direct on +64 (0) 21450985.
Get in touch