Core Team

Helen Houman
Head of Commercial Operations

Geoff Pelham
Head of Professional Development and Quality

Vincent Traynor
Head of Organisational Development

Sue Horner
Programme Support Manager

Sara Lemme
Business Support Manager

Karen Willows
Marketing Manager

Associates
Alex McGill
Annelise Cruickshank
Barbara Patton
Bernard Cooke
Colm Murphy
David Pilbeam
Gill Taylor
Jackie Wilkinson
Jenny Stacey
John Davies
Pauline Clare
Rebecca Cain
Sarah Willis
Yvonne Fagan
Neil Atkinson

Helen Houman
Head of Commercial Operations
After several years with the company, Helen has worked her way up to Head of Commercial Operations at PB Coaching. Helen’s role includes working with other members of the leadership team on business strategy, financial and sales planning, project management, monitoring business performance, client relationship management, associate and partner relationship management, writing proposals and bids, attending pitches and new business development.

Through her career at PB Coaching, Helen has learnt how to contribute effectively to the demanding agendas of organisational life. In a relational context, Helen has a great ability to connect with others and to create and build trusting relationships. Her friendly, enthusiastic, positive and professional manner ensures that the team and our clients and partners feel supported and well looked after.

Helen graduated with a B.A. Honours in Social Sciences from Nottingham Trent University in 2004. Since then, she has undertaken PB Coaching’s Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Executive Coaching programme and Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology in collaboration with Leeds Met University.

Helen lives in West Yorkshire with her husband Dan. In her spare time, she enjoys keeping fit by going to the gym and attending Zumba classes, socialising with friends and family, reading, walking in the Dales (when the sun is shining!), cooking and eating out.

Geoff Pelham
Head of Professional Development & Quality
Dr Geoff Pelham is responsible for the delivery of courses, academic standards, liaison with universities and professional accrediting bodies.

Geoff brings to coaching many years of experience as a counsellor and psychotherapist, enabling him to work effectively with the psychological aspect of coaching. This aspect has proved to be particularly valuable on training courses, where he assists delegates to develop their theoretical understanding and the practical application of the psychological dimensions of coaching.

Geoff is particularly interested in the education and training of people in senior positions, developing their capacities as “reflective practitioners”, facilitating the integration of knowledge, skills and personal awareness to enhance performance in their professional roles.

Geoff’s considerable University lecturing and programme management background provides firm support for those delegates unfamiliar with undertaking a course at postgraduate level. He has also considerable experience in senior management in the Public Sector and Voluntary Organisations (i.e. manager/regional manager for Richmond Fellowship; senior lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University; Chair of Governors for school for 12 years).

Geoff also has an extensive background, interest and understanding of the key ideas, writers and research in coaching and related fields, and a talent for presenting complex ideas in a concise and engaging manner. His particular area of interest and research is the importance of the relationship in professional settings (his most recent publication being a chapter entitled The Relational Approach in Haugh and Paul (2008) The Therapeutic Relationship: Perspectives and Themes).

Geoff is a member of the EMCC and is committed to ensuring that all training programmes delivered by PB Coaching are of the highest possible standard.

Vincent Traynor
Head of Organisational Development
I am a coach, organisation change consultant and trainer, and my role with PB Coaching involves delivery of our programmes and business development. I help leaders, teams and organisations to be more effective and fulfilled in the workplace. They might be looking to take on a new challenge, improve performance, sharpen their thinking, make a change or work through something that seems confusing or messy.

As a coach, I am experienced in psychology-based techniques (e.g. Gestalt, Prochaska) as well as systems-oriented methods (e.g. organisational role analysis).  I help clients explore their roles, the pressures, conflicts and dynamics at play, the health of work relationships and boundaries, the effectiveness of their leadership and levels of satisfaction.

My coaching clients are from the telecoms, creative agency, education sectors and the NHS. I have considerable experience as an organisation consultant, particularly in the fast-moving telecoms sector. I have a track record of delivery in: change management, culture change (using Human Synergistics tools), senior team development, change methods and organisation design. I have particular skill and interest in helping senior people lead their organisations through turbulent times, and I have a natural ability to create the right environment for people and teams to take risks, experiment and develop. My work is informed by socio-technical and systems psycho-dynamic frameworks and the latest research.

I have experience in telecoms (BT), education, leisure, conferencing, and public sector and also international markets.  My functional experience includes: IT, engineering, marketing, new product development, operations, customer service, OD, HR and communications.I’m from Northern Ireland, married with 2 kids and I love living in Sheffield and cooking and eating spicy food.

Sue Horner
Programme Support Manager
Sue Horner is the Programme Support Manager at PB Coaching. She is responsible for keeping the office organised and is the initial point of contact within the company.
Having been with the team for three years, Sue is responsible for programme recruitment of the postgraduate courses and the management of student registrations and programme administration.

Sue has developed excellent relationships with partnering universities, professional bodies and external clients.  She also plays an important role in workshop planning, scheduling and diary management for tutors and associates. Sue has a great ability to multi-task, build strong relationships and make connections. Her warmth and supportive character coupled with her very strong organisational skills which are vital for this role.

Prior to joining PB Coaching, Sue worked for most of her career at ITV. During this time, Sue had a variety of different roles in Press & Publicity including viewer’s enquiries, Studio Audience Coordinator and Picture Publicist before becoming PA to The Director of ITV Programme Publicity and manager of the Press Office. Having come from a fast paced and ever changing working environment, Sue has gained a wealth of experience which is imperative for her present role.

Sue lives with her partner of 25 years, Paul.  You may find her in the gym, socialising with friends, exploring new places on holiday or reading a good book.

Sara Lemme
Business Support Manager
Sara has been working for the group for seven years, during which she has supported many areas of the business.  Sara began her role working as front of house for the other company within the group, 3 Albion Place.  She ran several successful events during this time and also worked as a Membership and Partnerships Secretary, and as a PA to the Director.

Sara joined the PB Coaching team in 2010  in the capacity of Business Support Manager and her role involves managing a range of support functions.  These include management of operational functions, facilities, finance, it and sales.  She is responsible for implementing the course evaluation process for the Company’s training programmes, for supporting the completion of bids and tenders, for the group’s credit control and for supporting marketing and sales activities.

During her time with the company Sara has established positive working relationships with colleagues and clients, and demonstrated her deep commitment by showing ability and willingness to improve the organisational effectiveness and success through her work ethic, positive attitude and flexibility.

While working for the Company Sara attended a degree course and graduated with a BSc in Applied Psychology from the University of Leeds in July 2011.Sara loves travelling and exploring different cultures, learning new languages and reading; she is passionate about the arts in general, but with a particular interest in  cinematography.  Sara loves good cuisine, cooking and trying new foods, is fond of the outdoors, running and loves all water-sports – especially body surfing.

Karen Willows
Marketing Manager
Karen has worked with PB Coaching as a brand consultant for four years on an ad-hoc basis, and in July 2011, was pleased to step into a more hands-on role as Marketing Manager. Karen’s role is to develop marketing strategies for the company, oversee all communications, develop and refresh the brand identity and ensure business growth through effective marketing activities.  Karen is also dedicated to maximising client relationships through database management and driving marketing campaigns.

Karen is proactive, organised, has strong communication skills and is a popular member of the team.  Ever cheerful, Karen loves to solve problems and get things done.

Karen has a background in design, having graduated from Kingston University in 2006 and having set up her own successful business as an illustrator, designing for Waitrose, the BBC, British Airways and others.  Although Karen is still involved in this, she has also developed her career in marketing and recently completed her CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing.

Karen lives in Wakefield with her husband Mark. When she’s not studying, illustrating or working with PB Coaching, Karen loves to make (and eat!) roast dinners, go to the theatre and go on adventurous and exotic holidays.

Alex McGill
I am an executive coach and business consultant. I have worked both nationally and internationally with blue chip companies and a broad spectrum of private and public sector organisations. My expertise is in all aspects of leadership development, workforce engagement, people development, performance management and organisational change. I use my knowledge, enthusiasm and insight to re-energise and refocus individuals, teams and organisations to make the sustainable changes necessary to successfully achieve their personal and business vision.

Annelise Cruickshank
Early in her career, Annelise held operational management and generalist Human Resource posts in the NHS. She has also held senior roles in organisations; for example managing partner of a Recruitment Consultancy and Non executive Director in a Marketing Business. Since being self employed, Annelise has specialised in Training and Development, Recruitment, Selection and Assessment; as well as Coaching and Mentoring.

Barbara Patton
Barbara works in the corporate sector, both as an executive coach and as a non-executive director.

As an executive coach, she focuses on one-to-one coaching relationships and coach training.

Barbara’s previous professional background was in marketing, where she held a number of senior management positions across fmcg and financial services companies in Ireland.

Bernard Cooke
Bernard’s coaching clients are senior managers and leaders who are striving to find the inner resources to master the increasingly complex challenges of organisational life. When questions arise as to how people can realise their potential, he provides psychological insight coupled with a real appreciation of business demands. Bernard’s clients enjoy a greater clarity on who they really are, what they could become and how they will get there.
Bernard takes an outside-in and inside-out approach to coaching. With a background of working in multi-national organisations, he understands the organisational context for change and the pressures exerted upon managers. As a psychologist he also helps managers with the ‘inner game’ of work – strengthening the psychological resources they already have and removing the barriers, some self-imposed, that limit their achievements.

Colm Murphy
Colm set up his own coaching practice in June 2009 following 10 years in senior global Learning and Development roles.

Colm helps leaders and teams improve their performance by raising their awareness of their attitudes, assumptions and behaviours and the impact these have on their effectiveness.

He is a strong advocate of focusing on people’s strengths and passions in order to help them be truly distinctive and impactful in all aspects of their lives.

David Pilbeam
David specialises in coaching and mentoring for individuals and teams, facilitation and organisational change. His experience in running businesses and educating leaders enables him to help people to build on their strengths and achieve on-going success. He has also designed and delivered tailored programmes to develop leadership strength within organisations .

David’s style has been described as challenging, motivating and pragmatic. David uses a positive, strengths based approach in his work. He is naturally supportive and encouraging but is never shy of asking the tough questions.

Gill Taylor
Gill has fifteen years’ experience as a Chief Executive in the public sector, in both local authorities and in a national government agency, and was also Corporate Director for Skills and Knowledge for the national housing and regeneration agency where she led the major organisation change programme and, with staff, developed a new culture and values.

Gill has extensive experience in leadership development and led the award-winning East Lancashire Leadership Programme across six local authorities and partner organisations including the police and health sectors.

She brings a strong mix of practical understanding of the challenges faced by senior managers combined with a supportive and empowering style.

Jackie Wilkinson
Jackie started coaching in 2002 as a manager and found it beneficial for developing her staff and facilitating their work. She has also coached others across the country, face-to-face or by telephone. She works to the EMCC’s code of ethics and standards (see emccouncil.org.uk) including professional supervision, and likes to work with clients who are enthusiastic about self-discovery and personal growth or who have a real drive for excellence in their work. Jackie expects clients to show their commitment to themselves by willingness to experiment and determination to see through their ideas into results.

Jackie uses a wide range of techniques (GROW, Gestalt, Prochaska) giving her the flexibility to adapt to the needs not only of each client but also of each topic brought by a client. Using her experiences of preparing for international events in the world of sport, she uses an Integrated Performance coaching approach for improvement in a business setting.

Jenny Stacey
Jenny completed her Coach Training programme with Peter Bluckert in 2000 and has since been a coach within the Voluntary and Statutory sector.
Currently she is an Associate at PB Coaching, works as a freelance coach, supervisor, trainer and organisational consultant and as an Associate for other consultancies. Her organisational experience includes working within Social Care, the prison service, housing associations, theatre companies, educational teams and universities.

In her work Jenny is interested at looking at patterns of behaviour, raising awareness of choices and implementing change. She works on the challenges of ‘difficult conversations’: discovering what holds people back and supporting them to experiment with different behaviours. She is creative, energetic and flexible.

John Davies
John is an associate at PB Coaching and has extensive coaching experience in industrial and commercial sectors both as a line manager and as a qualified coach.

John is committed to developing individuals and to enabling them to achieve their potential. In his coaching work, he applies many coaching processes and techniques as well as using the emotional intelligence framework to support leadership development and individual performance improvement activities.
He has extensive experience of facilitating teams and harnessing individual potential with the aim of delivering business strategy and achieving business success. He brings this experience to his leadership development work both in coach training programmes and in one on one coaching sessions.

Pauline Clare
Pauline Clare is an experienced deliverer of PB Coaching Postgraduate Certificate coaching programme and ‘in house’ coaching course for managers. She has worked with managers from both private and public sector organisations on the in house work, assisting them with personal skill development as well as consideration of how coaching can be used for cultural change and performance improvement.

Pauline brings to coaching a substantial amount of experience in one to one coaching having worked with Senior Managers and Directors. Pauline is particularly passionate about people and their own development. She believes that all people have enormous potential which can be realised through coaching and the appropriate leadership.

Rebecca Cain
Rebecca graduated from Nottingham University in 1989 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry. She joined Northern Foods PLC as a graduate trainee, and worked for them in Human Resources and Training roles for 12 years. She was particularly interested in graduate recruitment, careers work and coaching, as well as carrying out the roles of generalist HR Manager in many busy food factories.

Sarah Willis
Sarah is an Executive Coach, working with both individuals and teams, to improve performance. She has worked across all three sectors – private, public and voluntary – in organisations as diverse as the Home Office and NACRO, and at various levels of seniority including as CEO. In the last eight years Sarah has added to her senior management experience by training as a Psycho-therapist and Organisational Consultant in Transactional Analysis, and as an NLP Practitioner and an Executive Coach.

Yvonne Fagan
Yvonne is a strong executive coach with expertise in performance, team coaching and personal development.

Yvonne set up her own coaching practice in September 2008 and is an associate of PB Coaching. Yvonne is currently involved in a range of coaching work from coach training, 1 to 1 coaching and team coaching/facilitation with a mixture of SME and corporate clients.

Yvonne has also 10 years previous experience is sales, marketing and banking.

Neil Atkinson
As a consultant and coach Neil works with individuals and teams focussing on constructive change and developing performance. He brings over 30 years of management
experience combined with professional training in business coaching and coaching psychology.