Trainers who’ve led teams, not just taught them
Our trainers and coaches bring decades of experience from organisations including BP, Clarks, Aviva, Coca-Cola and BAE Systems. Every one of them keeps sessions practical, interactive and relevant to your people.
Dan Cocksedge
After a career at Buckingham Palace with Royal Collection Enterprises, Dan spent 12 years as a Training Manager, combining performance and personal development through bespoke qualifications and assessment. He set up Switch Direction to deliver active, energetic and inspiring training.
Dan uses MBTI and NLP to help people understand each other’s perspectives, and also supports businesses with quality standards such as ISO, Investors in People and B Corp.
“I like to ensure that my training sessions are engaging, interactive and fun, no matter what the subject is.”
Trainers & coaches
Every trainer is hand-picked for real-world experience and a practical, engaging style.
Jen Irvine
30 years leading managers and large teams across health and wellbeing, hospitality, property and insurance.
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Jen’s passion is developing people leaders who live and breathe their organisation’s values. Her ethos of high challenge, high support shines through her interactive sessions, and delegates leave with increased confidence, new knowledge and a personal action plan. She holds the ILM Level 5 in Operations Management.
Alison Darrington
30+ years in management, training and coaching, including for Clarks Shoes and Game Stores Group in the UK and Spain.
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Alison is a qualified leadership trainer, holds a PTLLS certificate and is accredited by TAP in coaching. She coaches people at every level, from graduates to senior managers, and specialises in leadership programmes, customer service excellence, sales and management development, and training needs analysis.
Merie Sennett
Almost 30 years in sales, including building sales teams from scratch in recruitment and for SMEs.
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Merie holds a professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has helped many SMEs set and achieve their objectives. She has worked with the Ipswich & Suffolk Small Business Association since 2009 and organises the annual Anglia Business Exhibition and its monthly events.
Ben Miller
A neurodiversity champion with ADHD who helps leaders create the conditions for people who think and learn differently to flourish.
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Ben blends personal experience, industry insight and coaching to help people explore new possibilities. He supported the region’s NHS mental health transformation project, chaired Healthwatch Suffolk during Covid-19 and remains a Director.
Hannah Kirk
25+ years in learning and development, accredited by the Learning and Performance Institute and a qualified MBTI practitioner.
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Hannah believes people learn best when they are relaxed and happy, and creates a fun, psychologically safe space to try new ideas. She has worked across charities (ShelterBox, Cancer Research), financial services (RBS, Aviva), FMCG (Coca-Cola, Unilever) and defence (BAE Systems).
Matt Tindall
30+ years in leadership, sales enablement, customer experience and team dynamics.
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Matt’s tailored, coaching-style training brings energy and passion to learning. He challenges how people think, feel and behave so they can change habits for good, and uses compelling stories to help them apply what they learn back at work.
Katherine Cresswell
NLP Master, internationally accredited coach and mindful mental health practitioner, bringing wellbeing into the workplace.
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With a corporate background organising training at Goldman Sachs and in credit control at AXA in Paris, Katherine understands workplace pressures. Her sessions give people simple tools to overcome challenges, build resilience and bring their best to their role.
Could this be you?
We’re looking for experienced freelance trainers, especially in Microsoft 365.
Join our team →Support & business development
The people who make sure everything runs smoothly, from your first enquiry to the last session.
Lisa Gaunt
20+ years in administration, business relations and special projects at senior management level.
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Lisa is Director of L Squared Consulting Ltd and has been the main point of contact between management, sales, clients and suppliers. She brings strong communication, problem-solving and finance skills, and thrives under pressure.
Gabriella Bussandri
Works with clients to understand their learning needs and find the right training solutions.
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Gabriella led global learning and development initiatives at BP and has worked with organisations across the UK, Europe, Latin America and the US. She speaks English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and believes trust, empathy and clear communication are the foundations of every partnership.
Linh Pook
Talent management and HR expertise, from onboarding and policy to organisational strategy.
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Linh is passionate about inclusive, high-performing workplaces and championing diversity, equity and inclusion. Her experience is helping Switch Direction grow, with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation.
Looking for freelance training work?
We’re always keen to hear from experienced trainers who share our practical, people-first approach. At the moment we’re especially looking for experts in:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint and Teams
Get in touch with a little about your experience and the subjects you train, and we’ll get back to you.
Find the right trainer for your team
Tell us what you need and we’ll match you with the trainer or coach who fits best.