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Our Team
Bright minds,
at the top of their game3,500+5 Star reviews120+Clients21Different sectors100%Recommend our training to others
Richard EDWARDS
Founder & Managing Director
At the helm of a thriving business, Richard has the privilege of leading a troop of trainers, facilitators, coaches and consultants who have helped thousands of individuals and teams to be have greater impact, confidence and clarity in their work.
The 100th Monkey’s story began in 2012, when Richard retrained as a facilitator and coach, after a prolific career as a news reporter at the Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard.
He designed a series of communication skills workshops and programmes, which pioneer a data-led approach to learning (putting science behind the art of communication), and draw on Richard’s experience of 20 years in journalism, complemented with principles of performance, neuroscience and psychology, to create a practical package of tools to enhance individuals’ clarity and confidence.
The training receives industry-leading feedback. On average 9/10 delegates rate the 100th Monkey’s flagship courses in presentation skills and media training as 5*, with frequent and humbling praise describing it as “life-changing” and “career highlight” training.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Son of incredible musicians and teachers, husband to an extraordinary wife, father of wonderful children, orchestrator of a brilliant band at the top of their game. And affectionate user of adjectives
Greatest strength?
Optimism - "proceed as if success is inevitable"
Biggest weakness?
Over optimism, particularly when it comes to the number of hours in the day
Coffee order
Nespresso tells me I am one of its 'ambassadors', which I took to mean I'm like George Clooney. But it turns out it's just a way to label my addiction
Favourite part of the job?
Instilling confidence in others
Tell us two truth's and a lie about yourself
1. My dad played with the Beatles on the Sgt Peppers album 2. We named our son Elvis. 3. I met Queen Elizabeth II and invited her to our wedding (she didn't come)
Proudest moment
100th Monkey was my first foray outside of journalism and started only with the ambition of keeping three babies in nappies. I'm proud to say it's surpassed all expectations. There was a moment recently at a team social when I looked around the table at 10-or-so of us, and felt an incredible pinch of pride at what together we've built
Joanna Edwards
Co-Founder & Director
As founding partner and leader of the 100th Monkey’s thriving team effectiveness troop, Joanna is highly sought-after by emerging leaders, established leaders and industry-leading teams. She has developed a four-pillar model for high performing teams, and designed and delivered hundreds of programmes, offsites and workshops to help leaders sharpen and articulate their thinking, and teams to be more productive, satisfied and happy.
Joanna has honed her skills through 20+ years’ experience as a consultant, facilitator, trainer and coach.
Starting out in corporate communications for Biotech company, Acambis, Joanna went on the become an award-winning communications consultant, working in various agencies and supporting clients ranging from GSK, Sanofi, Eli Lilly and Novartis to Weetabix, Jaguar Landrover and the Department of Health.
As part of The 100th Monkey team, Joanna has led training and team development programmes across multiple sectors, including UK Government departments, leading pharmaceutical organisations, counter terrorism teams and innovators in the worlds of aerospace and energy.
Her greatest skills are as a strategic thinker, visual storyteller and facilitator.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Daughter to an Irishman and a Brummie, wife to the king of optimism and mother to three amazing kids – I love film, Bristol, fun, family, friends and of course, The 100th Monkey
What's your role?
Co-founder, chief puzzle solver and strategist, working closely with leaders to help them sharpen and articulate their thinking, and teams to help them be more productive, satisfied and happy
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
I spend lots of my time talking! To clients - to help really understand what they are wanting to achieve through our support, sharing ideas and designs for programmes and sessions, and reviewing the impact our work is having. Also to our team - collaborating, co-ordinating and coaching. Amongst all the talking, I like to carve out space and time to think deeply about the briefs we are working on – I pride myself on our work being insightful, creative and beyond expectation – this requires focused brainpower.
Greatest strength?
To be able to see the big picture and how everything pieces together quickly, and enable others to see it too through simplification, visualisation and speaking their language
Biggest weakness?
My ‘go hard or go home’ approach to nights out
Favourite part of the job?
Supporting people to shine – helping them to achieve their aspirations and be proud of how they do it
Tell us two truths and a lie about yourself
1. I moved to Brazil to dance the Samba in the Rio Carnival 2. I met my husband on a week-long, no food retreat 3. As a child, I competed nationally as a synchronised swimmer
Richard EDWARDS
Founder & Managing Director
At the helm of a thriving business, Richard has the privilege of leading a troop of trainers, facilitators, coaches and consultants who have helped thousands of individuals and teams to be have greater impact, confidence and clarity in their work.
The 100th Monkey’s story began in 2012, when Richard retrained as a facilitator and coach, after a prolific career as a news reporter at the Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard.
He designed a series of communication skills workshops and programmes, which pioneer a data-led approach to learning (putting science behind the art of communication), and draw on Richard’s experience of 20 years in journalism, complemented with principles of performance, neuroscience and psychology, to create a practical package of tools to enhance individuals’ clarity and confidence.
The training receives industry-leading feedback. On average 9/10 delegates rate the 100th Monkey’s flagship courses in presentation skills and media training as 5*, with frequent and humbling praise describing it as “life-changing” and “career highlight” training.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Son of incredible musicians and teachers, husband to an extraordinary wife, father of wonderful children, orchestrator of a brilliant band at the top of their game. And affectionate user of adjectives
Greatest strength?
Optimism - "proceed as if success is inevitable"
Biggest weakness?
Over optimism, particularly when it comes to the number of hours in the day
Coffee order
Nespresso tells me I am one of its 'ambassadors', which I took to mean I'm like George Clooney. But it turns out it's just a way to label my addiction
Favourite part of the job?
Instilling confidence in others
Tell us two truth's and a lie about yourself
1. My dad played with the Beatles on the Sgt Peppers album 2. We named our son Elvis. 3. I met Queen Elizabeth II and invited her to our wedding (she didn't come)
Proudest moment
100th Monkey was my first foray outside of journalism and started only with the ambition of keeping three babies in nappies. I'm proud to say it's surpassed all expectations. There was a moment recently at a team social when I looked around the table at 10-or-so of us, and felt an incredible pinch of pride at what together we've built
Joanna Edwards
Co-Founder & Director
As founding partner and leader of the 100th Monkey’s thriving team effectiveness troop, Joanna is highly sought-after by emerging leaders, established leaders and industry-leading teams. She has developed a four-pillar model for high performing teams, and designed and delivered hundreds of programmes, offsites and workshops to help leaders sharpen and articulate their thinking, and teams to be more productive, satisfied and happy.
Joanna has honed her skills through 20+ years’ experience as a consultant, facilitator, trainer and coach.
Starting out in corporate communications for Biotech company, Acambis, Joanna went on the become an award-winning communications consultant, working in various agencies and supporting clients ranging from GSK, Sanofi, Eli Lilly and Novartis to Weetabix, Jaguar Landrover and the Department of Health.
As part of The 100th Monkey team, Joanna has led training and team development programmes across multiple sectors, including UK Government departments, leading pharmaceutical organisations, counter terrorism teams and innovators in the worlds of aerospace and energy.
Her greatest skills are as a strategic thinker, visual storyteller and facilitator.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Daughter to an Irishman and a Brummie, wife to the king of optimism and mother to three amazing kids – I love film, Bristol, fun, family, friends and of course, The 100th Monkey
What's your role?
Co-founder, chief puzzle solver and strategist, working closely with leaders to help them sharpen and articulate their thinking, and teams to help them be more productive, satisfied and happy
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
I spend lots of my time talking! To clients - to help really understand what they are wanting to achieve through our support, sharing ideas and designs for programmes and sessions, and reviewing the impact our work is having. Also to our team - collaborating, co-ordinating and coaching. Amongst all the talking, I like to carve out space and time to think deeply about the briefs we are working on – I pride myself on our work being insightful, creative and beyond expectation – this requires focused brainpower.
Greatest strength?
To be able to see the big picture and how everything pieces together quickly, and enable others to see it too through simplification, visualisation and speaking their language
Biggest weakness?
My ‘go hard or go home’ approach to nights out
Favourite part of the job?
Supporting people to shine – helping them to achieve their aspirations and be proud of how they do it
Tell us two truths and a lie about yourself
1. I moved to Brazil to dance the Samba in the Rio Carnival 2. I met my husband on a week-long, no food retreat 3. As a child, I competed nationally as a synchronised swimmer
Ann HUGHES
Director
Ann has worked for 20 years advising big pharma on their corporate and brand messaging as well as delivering global launch campaigns. Now she is using that expertise on a more personal level, coaching individuals and teams to be more effective in their communications. Delivering training that calls on her consulting background and combines with her interest in psychology and theatre, she’s never been more passionate about her work.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
An American ex-pat in Dorset, a twin mum, avid reader, yogi and occasional quiz master/stand-up comedian (at PTA events..)
What's your role?
I’m a Director on the Personal Effectiveness side of the business, which means I deliver training and help add training talent to our network. And since I love making connections and solving problems, I’m always meeting new people to see if our training is a good solution to some of the challenges they face.
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
Some days I’ll be entirely dedicated to training, other days I’ll be upskilling new trainers or meeting with potential clients to understand the skills gaps their trying to solve. Or I’ll be drafted into the Team Effectiveness side of things to help design and facilitate client meetings.
Greatest strength?
Helping people see the best in themselves.
Recent work highlight?
Watching one of our Personal Effectiveness delegates in action – standing up at a big meeting in front of 100+ people to present naturally and eloquently, and also asking articulate, challenging questions. Both feats that I know personally terrify her, or at least they did before our training!
One of my biggest influences is…
My mom. And Woody Allen movies.
Alita Buttress
Director & Head of Media Training
Alita is a former BBC News editor and self-proclaimed ‘news junkie’ with 17 years’ experience across national broadcast, print and digital. She has since transitioned into Executive Leadership coaching, preparing CEOs and senior leaders for high-stakes conversations. As an experienced trainer, Alita specialises in supporting businesses with their most challenging internal and external communication moments. Alita brings her abundance of energy to The 100th Monkey team, super-charging any training session with her supportive feedback and fascinating anecdotes of lessons learned in busy newsrooms.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
A Midlands native who has lived in London for 20 years. I’m a mum and a former journalist and TV editor who is still a complete news junkie. In my spare time you’ll find me with my nose in a book or planning holidays
What's your role?
I’m a director on the Personal Effectiveness side of the business and lead our media training work which involves planning and delivering sessions for our clients
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
Some days I’ll be planning for upcoming training, reading in on client issues and having briefing calls to discuss future work or new business. Other days I’ll be delivering training either face-to-face or virtually. In between, I spend time planning with our brilliant team and supporting on projects across the business
Greatest strength?
I can survive on very little sleep and always have lots of energy!
Favourite part of the job?
Showing people their split screen ‘before and after’ videos during our media training or Personal Effectiveness courses. The progress people make in a short space of time using our toolkits is always so inspiring. It’s the best part of my day!
Favourite TedTalk?
Shonda Rimes, 'My year of saying yes to everything'
One of my biggest influences is…
The Maya Angelou poem, ‘Still I Rise'
CAT SHERIDAN
Head of Operations
Cat’s 13 years of experience working closely with founders and CEOs of some of London’s most successful communications agencies meant she was poised to expertly navigate 100th Monkey’s rise from start-up to established business.
No detail is too small, no diary too chaotic – order follows in her charming Brummy-accented wake.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
• A hound fanatic with a love for growing my own veg, living the good life and dancing to northern soul!
What's your role?
Operations manager
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
A variety of things! From managing the money, the diaries, the team, new client enquires, and everything in between
Coffee order
Flat white/turmeric tea post 2pm
Best part of the job?
The people. We are a small, supportive and friendly bunch who encourage each other to be the best
I can't put down...
Marooned with Ed Stafford. Picking up tips in case I ever get stranded in the jungle
Last gig?
The Specials at my favourite little festival in Moseley Park, Birmingham
One of my biggest influences is...
Margaret Atwood. The depth and breadth of her writing amazes me, a true feminist icon
Harriet Longden
Senior Consultant
Harriet brings over 20 years of healthcare communications expertise to her role with 100th Monkey, and has dabbled in every disease area you could name. She loves identifying nuggets of insight to unlock a strategic challenge, and always uncovers that special something to win a pitch or sprinkle magic on a client brief.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
An aspiring chef, seasoned meditator, Pilates junkie, coffee fanatic, newly-wed and mum
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
Thinking up creative ways that teams can come together to enrich outcomes – whether through a keynote speaker painting an inspiring picture of future possibilities or designing team games to define a long-term vision and strategy
Greatest strength
Finding order in chaos
Biggest weakness
Custard donuts
Favourite part of the job?
Working with the superstars on the team, some of the brightest minds in the industry
Favourite Ted Talk?
Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight
Podcast I can't put down...
The Rest is History - it distils the entirety of human history into 50-minute chunks
Last gig?
29 Fingers at a pub in London (my second favourite party band of all time)
One of my biggest influences
My yoga teacher and friend, Angus Ford-Robertson
LAURA GOOD
Senior Consultant
Laura grew up in healthcare communications, spending 15 years working in senior and strategic consulting, corporate communications, brand and patient awareness campaigns. She was a member of the leadership team at the same London agency where many members of The 100th Monkey team first met.
Taking what she calls a ‘break’ to dedicate time for her kids and pursue social care interests, she applied her leadership skills to the school PTA and volunteering and was busier than ever.
Returning to agency life has actually been a bit of a holiday by comparison – no wonder she relishes ‘being onsite’.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Busy London mum with two children, avid concert-goer, Chair of the PTA and volunteer at Homestart
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
Working collaboratively with our lovely team to create meaningful programmes that help our clients to work well together and meet their goals. Anything from structuring agendas and creating content for meetings, to creating team charters that better define how teams work together on a daily basis
Greatest strength
I'm a people person – I love getting to know all our clients, and especially being with them face-to-face for meetings and events
Biggest weakness
Staying up late to binge watch good TV
Two truths and a lie
1. I was born on the same day as Kate Hudson. 2. I am a grade 5 violinist. 3. I once spent the evening drinking vodka redbulls with Zowie Bowie
Proudest moment of the last year?
Returning to paid work after being a stay at home mum for a while - and (I think) doing quite a good job at it
Last gig?
Bombay Bicycle Club in Crystal Palace Park. Incredible!
DAN GREGORY
Senior Project Planner & Manager
Dan is a first-class scientist turned highly-reviewed business strategist and facilitator. Joining the Monkey team fresh faced from university, Dan has been earning his stripes ever since, giving his all to his work. You might partner with Dan on either side of the Personal and Team Effectiveness sides of the business, but one thing will remain the same; his dedication to the highest quality of work for his clients.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
A proud Bristolian who spends most of his time eating food in the home city he loves. Occasional rugby player/paddleboard enthusiast
What's your role?
Senior Project Planner & Manager on the Team Effectiveness side of the business. Don’t let my baby face fool you; I am in fact one of the longer-standing members of the team
Greatest strength
My determination to find creative solutions to complex problems
Biggest weakness
Inability to function without caffeine
I can't put down...
Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not by the Arctic Monkeys
Two truths, one lie
1. I made the front page by nearly being born in the frozen food aisle of our local supermarket 2. A family holiday to America was cut short due to an engine explosion, causing our plane to take evasive action over the North Sea 3. During my short stint in catering, I spilled a glass of red wine on Ed Sheeran
One of my biggest influences is...
My mum; both as my best friend and life coach
Clare Roberts
Project Planner & Manager
Clare brings a blend of account management, project management, training, communications, and writing skills to The 100th Monkey troop. With her positive, proactive approach, she thrives on transforming ideas into tangible results that are expertly managed and executed.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
An outdoor-loving seaside dweller with an optimistic outlook on life. I’m a former English teacher and a fan of literature, writing and open-air theatre. A recent love is gardening, at which I’m ‘helped’ by my two daughters. To (almost) quote Shakespeare: ‘though they be but little, they are fierce!’
What's your role?
Project Planner and Manager on the Team Effectiveness side of the business.
What do you actually spend your day doing?
Action planning, writing, plus lots of coordination across our team and clients to bring our projects and events together. Every day is different!
Greatest strengths?
Positive communication and liaison: I love working with others to achieve a common goal. I pay close attention and think about every detail, right down to who is bringing the pens!
Favourite part of the job?
The fact I can draw on the skills I’ve gained in my career to date and use them towards a new role.
Favourite ice breaker?
Depending on the crowd…. ‘Find someone who…’, childhood ambitions (mine was to be a fashion designer!)
Favourite TedTalk?
Matthew Winkler: What Makes a Hero? – technically a mini lesson, but don’t let that put you off! It’s all about how classic stories all essentially follow the same trajectory and are variations on a theme. I still find this totally fascinating and it applies to so many contexts: books, films, and of course talks and meetings too. A great story is a great story, wherever you are.
Last gig I attended?
Blur at Eastbourne Winter Gardens
Lay HINE
Senior Project Assistant & Administrator
Lay has over 10 years’ experience working in marketing, coordination and event management roles across healthcare and charitable organisations.
She excels at managing many different moving parts simultaneously, key skills that are regularly tested by the Monkey team who are often here, there and everywhere delivering training and facilitating meetings all at once.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
Lover of frozen cocktails, meticulous event organiser, mother of two daughters, avid follower of the Royal Family
What's your role?
Team administrator
So what do you actually spend your day doing?
Supporting the team on both sides of the business by pulling together pre-work summaries, creating meeting content, perfecting slide decks, sorting all the logistics for our many meetings and trainings which run simultaneously, sending delegate follow-up emails and making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time
Greatest strength?
Calm under pressure
Two truths and a lie
1. I am one of six children 2. My favourite drink is Ovaltine 3. I don’t understand the hype with cheese
Favourite ice breaker
What would you do if you have £1 million?
The podcast I can't put down
Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe
Proudest moment of the last year?
Seeing my girls learn to ride their bikes!
Richard Penney
Team Associate
Richard is the newest member of The 100th Monkey team, having joined in the spring of 2023. Before this, he spent three years doing research at a global health charity, after studying biology and chemistry at university.
Question & Answer
Who are you?
A Herefordshire native and lover of the great outdoors, whether that’s hiking, cycling or skiing; my other interests include singing and pub quizzes.
What's your role?
Team Associate, mainly working on the Team Effectiveness side of things.
What do you actually spend your day doing?
My days are pretty varied, but in general my time is spent liaising with our clients and ensuring their needs are met, as well as beautifying powerpoints and making spreadsheets (the more complex the better!)
Greatest strength and weakness?
I’m pretty unflappable and keep a cool head in high-pressure situations. Weakness: my handwriting is fairly atrocious.
The series I can't put down is...
The Last of Us – initially I was sceptical (after all, it is based on a video game), but have been blown away by this outstanding series.
Tell us two truths and a lie about yourself
1. I once sang in a concert attended by the King and Queen of Belgium 2. I am distantly related, by marriage, to Diego Maradona 3. I nearly died of malaria at the age of three
Proudest moment of the last year?
Back when working for a global health charity, I became a published co-author of five academic papers (on access to medical diagnostics across Africa).
Last gig I attended?
Alt-J – twice in one week.
One of my biggest influences is:
I’m the youngest of four, and my siblings have always provided me with a blueprint of how to ‘do’ life well.
Big on ambition, small by design
Make it happen
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