Meet the Team

Nikki is the founder and Learning & Development Director of Zest Learning.  Known for her energy and enthusiasm, Nikki prides herself on her ability to ask that worthwhile question that unlocks and motivates.  She is an NLP Trainer, a Chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), an accredited MBTI and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, a Hypnosis Practitioner and a member the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

She has worked with scientists to fire-fighters to CEOs and began her career mentoring young women at Feltham Young Offenders Institutions.  Today she enjoys challenging people to develop and grow through inspiring skills workshops and development programmes.  She incorporates theory, practice and real time experiences to support long term behavioural change.

Recently described as a bottle of pop waiting to go off Nikki’s aim in life is “to be infectious with happiness”.

Lorna’s natural drive and enthusiasm for learning and growth rubs off on all those around her.  She is a dynamic and challenging facilitator as well as a detail driven organiser and co-ordinator.  She really enjoys working closely with a team to help them connect, collaborate and overcome any obstacles. 

She began her career in Learning and Development in a small consultancy before joining an international charity.   Lorna has completed her Certificate in Training Practice with the CIPD and her NLP Diploma. 

   Elaine is Zest Learning’s financial brain and ensures that all project budgets are effectively managed and that expenditure is tracked and monitored.  Originally from Zimbabwe Elaine came to the UK with her family 12 years ago now and began her life anew.  She is known for being super-efficient, highly detail conscious and warm and welcoming to boot.  

Val has the exciting job of keeping Zest Learning’s presence out there and with numerous years’ experience in the city she is enjoying helping a small and successful business thrive.  Val joined the Zest team in 2010 and has become a highly valued team member.  Her ability to join the dots and make connection has challenged the rest of the team to think differently.  Val is known for asking challenging questions that help give great clarity and understanding.

Alan Evans Facilitator, Performance Coach and Cartoonist

Alan has been working with Nikki and the Zest Learning team for a very long time!  An exceptional high impact and motivational learning facilitator, Alan is passionate about the way people learn and interact and actively promotes learning in the broadest sense via a mixture of accelerated learning and coaching. He is co-author of ‘Icebreakers’ and ‘Openers & Closers’: two books published as part of the ‘management pocketbooks’ range.

Phil Croft Real Play Learning and Development Actor and Facilitator

Phil is a highly skilled role player and facilitator specialising in small group interactive experience and feedback.  Phil is passionate that the most important skill a role player can develop is the capacity to deliver informed learner-centred feedback during the discussion that follows a role play.   Phil is known for his ability to do this to an extremely high level as well as being able to make us all laugh.