01285 885 122 Basket

Shopping Basket

Basket is empty -

Meet The Team

Meet the team

Chris Phillips

Principal & Tutor

The Academy has a proud history as a private training provider in the complementary health sector for the last twenty five years.

One of my core beliefs at The Academy concerns training standards. I believe there is a real need to further raise and develop credibility in our industry, so that more clients can benefit from high professional standards. We can contribute to this by sharing our knowledge and working experiences with each other. This is the main drive behind my weekly evening groups; Thursday Evenings.

I trained as a Massage and Sports Therapist in 2000 and have been developing my private practice from my home just outside Northleach in the Cotswolds ever since. In 2006 I completed my Certificate in Further Education Teaching (CFET1) and I have been teaching Sports and Remedial Massage ITEC Level 3 & 4 here at the Academy since. I have a background of working with young troubled people and their families in a therapeutic setting, both as key

Annette Stoker

Holistic Tutor

I have been involved with the Complementary Therapies Industry for over 12 years and have been teaching since 2008. I have a teaching degree in post compulsory education (Cert Ed) and am ITEC qualified in all the subjects I teach. Having worked in prestigious spas and run my own practice, I am confident that as a passionate and committed member of the team I can inspire, enthuse and provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a highly sought after therapist in your chosen field.

Yvonne Lockhart

Holistic Tutor

After completing diplomas in Massage Therapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Indian Head Massage in 1999, I spent 5 years in a managerial role working on board Carnival Cruise Lines and then as a spa trainer at a 5 star hotel in the Cotswolds. I now run my own successful practise dedicated to using only organic products and treatments and since taking up teaching in 2007, it has become my passion to give therapists the proper tools to excel in the field of holistic therapy.

I bring to the college a wealth of knowledge of working at all levels within the spa industry and excelling as a therapist, manager and trainer. I am dedicated to providing my students with the highest level of education and knowledge needed to become a confident, highly skilled professional.

www.esospa.com

Olivia Burgess Admin

Office Manager & Enrolments Coordinator

I joined the Academy in November 2015 bringing with me over 10 years experience in customer service and content management. I love connecting with people and giving them a welcoming introduction to the College. Complementary Therapies is something I believe has a serious impact in enhancing peoples lives and helping to keep us all well. Alongside my role at the Academy, I am an osteopath and sports massage therapist. I also have a background in teaching yoga. This has further enhanced my understanding of the industry and the importance of quality hand skills and qualifications. Drawing from my own personal experience of Complementary Therapies, my passion and enthusiasm is in helping others achieve their goals and start their journey to a new, fulfilling career.

Hannah Benkwitz-Friar

Marketing Manager

Joining the Academy in February 2019, Hannah brings with her over 10 years experience in marketing and design most recently in the media & advertising industry.

With a passion for digital & social media, her focus at the Academy is to share the latest information, knowledge and events of the Academy whilst creating content that unlocks the vast knowledge held by our tutors.

“It’s a really exciting time to be in the complementary health & sports industry, there’s a real sense of urgency in changing how we manage our physical and emotional well being. The best part of working with the team at the Academy is that they care about and have a real drive to continue the support for our community of therapists in their journeys. I love the ethos of sharing ideas and best practice, especially around how we market ourselves and utilise social media to grow business as a therapist.”

Tamara Howard

Sports Massage Tutor & Admin Assistant

I completed both my iTEC Levels 3 & 4 in Sports & Remedial Massage Therapy at the Academy in 2018 and have gone on to do further CPD courses here to enhance my ’toolbox’ as a Therapist.  The exceptional level of training I received, as well as the ongoing support, has enabled me to build a successful business in a short space of time.

It’s an honour to be teaching a subject that I love and am so passionate about, to the high standard set by the Academy, and being part of other peoples journey into the industry.

Archie Phillips

Chief ball fetcher and massage enthusiast

Archie can quite often be found in the office bringing a little sunshine to everyone who passes by. He’s not quite got the hang of touch typing yet but his alphabetical filing system is going down a storm with the admin team.

Adrian Edwards

L5 Sports Massage Tutor

Adrian (Ady) is our Level 5 sports massage tutor.  He began his career in the Royal Navy and qualified as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist on leaving.  He was a sports massage therapy lecturer for Premier Training for a number of years and worked in professional rugby with the Cornish Pirates as Team Manager and Head Therapist for many years, then as Head Coach and Director of Rugby with Redruth RFC.  From 2009 he delivered the Level 2 Gym Instructor course to sixth-formers at Redruth Academy as well as taking on the role of pastoral leader for students throughout the school.  From 2009-2011 Ady delivered Sports Massage courses to graduate physiotherapists at Southampton University and is a senior tutor at the OSSM deliverying the Level 5 sports qualification.

Throughout his career Ady continues to see his own patients and has made a considerable voluntary contribution within his local community assisting rowing teams and school

Clive Greedy

First Aid Instructor

I have been a Paramedic for over 30 years. In that time I have worked for both the NHS and the private sector. I left the NHS some 10 years ago to work as a freelance training consultant working with ambulance services around the country teaching Paramedics, Helli-Meds, BaSICS GP’s and CP Medics.

I have been married for 31 years to Sara, have 2 grown up sons and live in Evesham

I now work in Gloucester as a training manager within the care sector and continue to deliver First Aid training to those who need it.

When it comes to delivering First Aid, I tend to come at it from a different angle. Instead of being the trainer who relies on PowerPoint slides and presentations, I teach based on experience (30years worth). My delivery is based on what would I, a Paramedic, like you the First Aider to do for the casualty before I arrive. Learning should be interesting, informative, accurate and above all fun. So if you like to enjoy your learning, come and

Jess Bates

Admin Assistant

I joined the Academy in July 2021 brining with me 8 years experience in operational HR, talent management and leadership development. Following the arrival of my first child I decided it was time for a change of direction and focus.

I feel really excited to be a part of the Academy, I have a real passion for what we do and the ethos behind it. It feels really important to me to think carefully about how we support and develop our community of students throughout and beyond their learning journey. This is something our team does so well and I am proud to be a part of it’s continual growth.

One of the main things I love about working at the Academy is constant drive for improvement be that the student experience, becoming ‘greener’ or back office systems. We don’t sit still and, for me, that is such an excellent and exciting model!

Sarah Pulley

Reiki Master

My journey into holistic therapies began over 20 years ago following a career in film and video production.

Initially training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tui Na to Master level - gaining a licence as a TCM acupuncturist and Qi nutritionalist - I went on to become a Reiki Master in the Usui tradition.

I continue to run a private practice near Tetbury in Gloucestershire which I established in 2013.

I regularly host seasonal well-being days and retreats in collaboration with other holistic practitioners and teachers.

I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of Reiki and teaching techniques that deepen students' confidence in their own intuitive healing journey and firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to practice Reiki and benefit from this non-invasive yet powerful energy healing discipline.