Clare and Jim created the Synergia brand in 2003, when they wanted to find a better work/life balance with their two young children. They both left senior roles in blue chip companies to create the Synergia brand.
Synergia came from synergy – the combined power of a group of things when they are working together that is greater than the total power achieved by each working separately: (Cambridge English Dictionary):
Initially their approach was to offer project management and HR management to any organisation that needed those services. As time progressed they refined their offering to organisational development, and in 2008 Synergia Coaching was created to reflect the growth of the business within that sector.
Clare worked with her first Independent school, Sherborne Girls, in 2005. At that stage Dr Simon Lettman, HMC, took Clare under his wing and supported her working with schools around leadership development, coaching and solving people problems.
Jim continued to grow the Project Management side of the business with significant contracts within the NHS and Private Sector.
Clare has enjoyed a successful career holding several senior level HR, training and personnel roles across a variety of organisations including retail, manufacturing, IT, automotive industries and the public sector. Today Clare works alongside organisations such as the NHS, the Police and Independent Schools to design and deliver effective training and coaching programmes.
Annette has worked in the Independent Educational Sector for over 30 years before recently retiring from a highly successful co-ed Junior School, where she was Head for 13 years.
Annette is a qualified Level 7 Executive Coach and Mentor and combines her depth of understanding about people, group dynamics and emotional intelligence to help leaders and non-leaders develop the confidence and insight to fulfill their potential.
Over 35 years experience in education in a variety of roles
Jo’s working experience spans over many years and sectors including retail, manufacturing and education; both in the UK and Europe.
Jo has returned from a short working break and now shares her wealth of experience by mentoring leaders, practitioners and learners. Along side this, she is renovating a disused farm in the idyllic North Staffordshire countryside.
Jo is a dedicated learning practitioner with a ‘whole brain’ approach that really does put the learner centre stage.
Liz studied with the world’s most celebrated coach, Brendon Burchard, at his esteemed High Performance Academy in California. She uses a blend of highly effective techniques to get you moving towards your goals immediately. You’ll learn how the mind works and how you can break down the barriers between where you are now and the life you want, empowering you to take full control of your future and achieve the freedom and balance you crave.
Louise has been in a variety of educational institutions, boarding and day, rural and city-based schools, with a subject base of maths and computing. Stepping down from Headship, in 2018, after 17 years as a Head, she has continued to develop her profile and expertise. She led the national GSA as President in 2012 and was then the vice-chair of the ISC for 3 years. She is also an experienced Registered Lead Inspector (ISI) and a Magistrate; balancing her voluntary work with employment in inspecting, appraising and coaching. She is also a school governor, a member of a University Board and a Trustee of the Liverpool World Development Centre charity.
Gaining a degree in Electrical Engineering Richard completed a student apprenticeship and became a design and development engineer with the then GEC Measurements. A move to the Police Service followed where Richard was constable, sergeant and inspector. He also qualified as a British Gliding Association instructor, and deputy chief flying instructor at Staffordshire Gliding Club. He was seconded as a development adviser with the Police High Potential Development Scheme.
Kirsty Knowles – Executive & Leadership Coach, Consultant & Learning Facilitator
Kirsty co-creates professional relationships for people to flourish, and to thrive in parallel with organisations. She is a catalyst for reimagining and adapting leadership and workplace climate and culture for future-fit impact. Kirsty has supported Education and diverse sectors such as: NHS, Charities, Tech and SMEs. Outward facing whilst attentive to needs and context. Kirsty evokes awareness for sustainable mindset and behavioural change. A humanistic approach and integrated evidence-based strategies cultivate shared learning to nurture an inclusive community with positive stakeholder engagement. Her dynamic style, sense of play, and intuitive practice engender committed pathways forward. Accomplished experience as a Headteacher and studies inspire Kirsty’s business and portfolio with ethical and quality assurance.
Expertise
• Coaching Accreditation: PCC Level 2 with ICF; Senior Practitioner with EMCC Global
• Qualified Coach – Two Distinctions for Postgraduate Degrees from Henley Business School: Coaching for Behavioural Change (Part of MSc); and Executive Coaching
• Associate Board Member of ICF UK; Active member of both ICF and EMCC Global
• Fostering Coaching Leadership & Coaching Culture to redesign what no longer serves well, and facilitating independently crafted leadership programmes for strategic pivoting: Becoming a Coaching Leader©; Green Stewardship for People and Planet©
• Designing and delivering Coach Education for CEOs to new and non-leaders to acquire Coaching skills, e.g., ILM 7 and Apprenticeship Levy provision
• Bestselling Book Author, Published Articles, Thought Leadership and Event Speaking