People Academy
People Academy was formed in 2010. The co-founders, Phil Ferrar, Miles Henson, and Lillian Hosea (retired 2021) were aligned behind one purpose - to shine a spotlight on the People Dimension: enabling people to communicate and behave in ways that consistently deliver performance, with, and through, individuals and teams. Developing high performing teams and cultures starts with the individual, whatever their role, and what is always key is how they self-manage to bring out the best in each other.
In 2013, David Faulkner's unique experience as an Olympian and performance director in sport, gave life to People Academy's High Performing Teams methodology, further enhanced by the culture development track record already established by People Academy at this time.
Initially, People Academy worked almost exclusively in the corporate world, but quickly learned that the ‘People Dimension’ translates into any sector or role where people are the key. In 2013 we were invited into USA Olympic sport, the results proving that our approach released untapped potential in already great teams and individuals. Since then, the team has worked in public service institutions, education, and the military, alongside continued work in the commercial and sports world.
The experience and track record of the people in our team is rooted in the sports and business worlds. In the case of sport, this is at elite and professional sport level. Outside of sport, the team’s knowhow is derived from many years of working with everyone from global, world-class companies to boutique businesses, colleges, educational trusts and local government bodies, from small teams to boards of directors, and whole organisations.
Our Team
Phil Ferrar
Co-founder and Director
Phil's passion is for helping people understand the impact they have on others, and how to self-manage to get the best out of relationships and teams. An inspiring and challenging executive coach and facilitator with an extensive background in delivering high performance in teams, Phil enjoys seemingly unattainable challenges, where organizations are faced with an urgent imperative to drive through sustained programs in culture change and leadership development. But it’s his impact on an individual level that creates the impetus for change.
Sectors include automotive, banking, financial services, public services, healthcare, insurance, IT, precision engineering, retail, telecoms, education, and Olympic sports. In the academic sphere, Phil's research has been instrumental in developing a deeper understanding of the psychology behind the 'manager-as-coach' relationship.
Working one-on-one as a mentor, Phil has been able to influence transformational change and personal growth to a substantial number of people.
"I believe everyone has untapped potential. It's there if you look for it. My job is to help individuals, teams, whole organisations releasse this untapped potential and achieve more than people imagined possible. It's about people, and the starting point is always to look at yourself first."
Miles Henson
Co-founder and Director
Miles has worked in over 35 countries over a twenty-year period, helping Individuals, teams, and organisations deliver excellence in communication, leadership, and culture definition. He is a behavioural change specialist that has seen him invited to work with a diverse array of clients from medal winning Olympic teams, coaches, and athletes, to board rooms, global corporates, education, and the public sector.
Miles’ passion for helping people engage more effectively has always been the secret to his success. He is a coach, mentor, facilitator, keynote speaker and is immensely proud of what People Academy has achieved.
“I’ve always been fascinated by why people behave and communicate in the way they do. The impact they have either intentionally or unintentionally on the people around them, and how aware they are of the consequences of their communication style. What’s driving them, who’s right? Because surely it doesn’t matter what you are trying to say, it's how it’s received that really counts.’’
Jill Atkins-Mackley OLY
Partner
Jill's talent as a leader was recognised early on in her career, being chosen to captain Great Britain and England hockey through three Olympic Games, winning Bronze at Barcelona 1992, and European Champions in 1991. Her career blossomed after hockey, with over 25 years of senior leadership roles in business and education. Jill has mentored and coached many individuals and teams to be outstanding performers.
As a highly-valued People Academy partner, Jill's expertise and experience is focused on developing high performing teams and individual leaders at all levels within sport, education and business.
"I have always believed in the importance of creating the conditions to support individuals to understand, appreciate and enhance their unique strengths. When combining and connecting these learnings with those of others then truly great things can be achieved".
David Faulkner MBE OLY
Partner
David was an Olympic Gold medallist with Team GB Field Hockey at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His career in leadership was elevated to impressive heights by taking on the challenge of Performance director of Team GB’s Women’s Field Hockey squad, culminating in a coveted Bronze Medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
A successful business owner and leader, he also held the role of Director of Sport at Millfield School, and as the Football Association’s Head of England Women’s Performance.
An inspirational leader, David brings deep insight into team culture and leadership development, underpinned with a high performing team model.
“I have always been very clear that you that if you get the processes right, make the experience for everyone as positive as possible all of the time, the outcome will always look after itself.”