Our Associates
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Fiona Yorke
Managing Director, Ultimate U
What has been your best moment in training?
I recall doing a leadership programme where part of the job was to motivate and inspire a room of some 50 plus management delegates who had become a bit ‘stuck’ in their approaches. I facilitated with them options and tools for change that would make an immediate impact on their problems. They went on to put this into action and I know many of them went on to rise to senior management very quickly as a result. It’s great to know that I had a part in nurturing their success.
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
Sir Alex Ferguson – he is someone who has achieved an incredible amount and has managed to keep his position at the top of the football tree. I would like to explore further other aspects of his management style that would ensure that he remains at the top for years to come.
If you were a Cliff Richard song which would you be?
‘We Say Yeah’ – because the lyrics are quite apt – we do push boundaries here and challenge the status quo and encourage action and for our clients we like to say ‘yeah’ as often as possible!
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Ann Lunn
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
One of my best moments, and there have been many in Training, was a sceptical, more experienced senior manager that once said at the end of a workshop, ‘I came here today wondering what you could tell me about management and I leave with a completely different view. I have learned a lot and am keen to put some new ideas into practise, thank you’. To me this just shows that we are never too old to learn.
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
I would love to run a session with the government, especially senior politicians on professional communication and image which explores the rationale behind how they currently come across and ideas for improvement.
If you were a Cliff Richard song which would you be?
‘Summer Holiday’, not because of the holiday aspect, but for the feelings that it gives you. A sense of freedom and new beginnings with a fun element.
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Patrick Lund
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
Scaling the mountains in the PICOS DE Europa, Spain, as part of a ‘big stretch’ coaching week – stunning scenery, Jacuzzi baths, rural retreats and inspiring thoughts!
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
Myself – it’s the ‘doppelganger’ effect – how well can you train the person you know best? In fact, what could you possibly have to offer them, as they’ll know it anyway?
If you were a Cliff Richard song which would you be?
Do I have to?! I think he covered ‘my sweet lord’ and probably turned it into some saccharine sentiment, but the George Harrison original is a classic and truly stand out, individual and unique – guess that’s how I would like to be (try to be)
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Pheona Croom-Johnson
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
There have been so many! From facilitating a group who has been struggling and in conflict where we have ended the day with them committing to working together and have been able to lay aside their differences and truly say they have enjoyed the day – this group is now a ‘performing’ group; to an individual who came to me in tears at the end of a programme and said that the content and discussion had literally changed her life and thanked me profusely for all that had happened – why would I want to do anything else….?
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
An individual I would love to get my hands on (not literally of course) would be Gordon Brown – presentation skills and tonality so important when delivering strategic/visionary speeches. Where is the fire in his belly?!
If you were a Cliff Richard song which would you be?
‘Living doll’ – crying, talking, living, walking – life is there to engage with and make the most of all you have and all the opportunities that come your way.
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Chris Lambah
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
I got into ‘Training’ (learning) and development because I wanted people to experience life with eyes wide open. What I mean by this is that they become more consciously aware of what’s going on around them so they can respond in a way that benefits people most. My best moment in training was when I realised ‘I can do this’. It was many years ago, but I can still feel that pride.
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
Ooh, Martin Luther King. I find that the learning environment works best when everyone is involved and adding their own thoughts and beliefs into the mix. Who better to add value that Martin Luther King?
If you were a Cliff Richard song which would you be?
Power to all our friends – “Power to all my friend, to the music that never ends, to the people we want to be, baby, power to you and me… “Yes that 1970′s Eurovision stunner, that I know you’re humming right now, is fun BUT with a real message… And that’s how I like to work with my groups.
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Lynne Burwell
Associate PR & Marketing Consultant
Favourite moment working with Ultimate U?
Getting MD, Fiona Yorke, featured in the Yorkshire Post – sitting on her tandem. And I also love going to the CIPD Conference and buzzing with the energy on the Ultimate U stand.
Dream client to attract to Ultimate U?
Google – they need really strong teams and good managers to operate in such a fast-paced environment. As a big, forward-thinking organisation that values its people, appreciates innovation and expects results, Google is a perfect client for Ultimate U’s approach.
If you were a Cliff Richard Song which one would you be?
‘Wired for Sound’ – I love communicating and this song has such a fun, positive sound, a bit like us!
Visit Lynne’s website at: http://www.pillarpr.co.uk
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John Yorke
Director and Therapist, Ultimate U
What has been your best moment as a therapist?
For confidentiality reasons I can’t disclose specifics however, I was delivering an Anger Management programme and the topic of being hit as a child came up. The entire group said, “Well, I was hit as a child and it never did me any harm!”
We had some work to do!
Fantasy delegate to undergo therapy?
I would have liked to have spent time working with Spike Milligan. I think I would have been able to help him find some peace with himself and his life.
If you were a Cliff Richard Song which one would you be?
‘Move it’ because I’m known for ‘making things happen’ and I am good at helping people to move their lives forward.
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Leeza Manning
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
I was working with a client who had been unaware of coming across aggressively and it had been suggested that she attend training to improve her self-awareness, which she was none too pleased about. A short while after the session she contacted me to tell me that her relationships at work had improved tremendously and she’d been promoted to a managerial position! She thanked me saying all my hard work had paid off. I reminded her that it was her hard work, I’d just facilitated it. That’s why I love my job!
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
Alan Sugar…he’s super successful and has worked hard to get there. However, I don’t believe you have to be rude and abrupt to get to the top. A smoother Alan would be my aim.
If you were a Cliff Richard Song which one would you be?
“Here comes Summer … We’ll go swimming everyday” I love it, the sun’s positive energy and all that ‘happy’ serotonin it creates.
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Zoe Lewis
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
During an end-of-course celebration ceremony where delegates were praised for their progress, the delegates presented me with a lovely bouquet of flowers and chocolates and said it was the most useful, fun and enjoyable course they’d been on – I think it was the accelerated learning techniques, learning as a by-product of enjoyment is very effective.
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
Mmmm, the words fantasy and David Beckham are going together in my mind…..and why? Well, to share coaching experience and talk leadership development of course!
If you were a Cliff Richard Song which one would you be?
Tutti-Frutti … because I love variety and colour. Designing and delivering courses that are creative, vibrant and bursting with energy is part of what I do best.”
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Kay Matthews
Associate Training Professional
What has been your best moment in training?
I don’t have a specific moment that I can think of, but what I love about training is transforming a dull, grey training room into a buzzy, colourful, vibrant place with people interacting and sparking ideas off each other, and learning taking place as if by magic! I love to welcome people into the session and watch the look of surprise on their faces as they realise this learning is going to be fun, and to see them leave feeling motivated, positive and ready to go.
Who would be your fantasy delegate?
I like to have an “it’ll never work” type of person on my courses, someone like Jeremy Clarkson who has strong opinions and is keen to express them! I like people to share their points of view and to leave with an appreciation of other people’s perspectives.
If you were a Cliff Richard Song which one would you be?
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On. I like the energy in this song and that’s all I’m going to say about it. “I said shake, baby shake. I said shake, baby shake” See, got you toe-tapping already!
