Meet our coaches
Our coaches play a vital role in supporting Centre of Excellence members to develop and embed excellence in teaching, learning and assessment. Drawing on extensive experience across further education, industry and international insights, they work with educators and leaders to strengthen capability, share expertise and improve outcomes for learners. They bring a wealth of insight and practical experience that helps the Centre of Excellence network drive continuous improvement across the sector
Here we can add a short intro of how the high-Perf Skills Coaches are different to Associate coaches. Maybe add a line to say – for queries etc reach out to Laura and Jenna – so they know not to contact the associate coaches seperately? or we can keep blank if this is unnecessary.
Since earning a position in TeamUK, the experience of training for competitions ignited a passion for learning in Jenna and following her success in Canada, she moved into education and training. In 2012 Jenna was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to vocational skills.
Under Jenna’s leadership as a previous UK Training Manager and Chief & Deputy Expert, the UK has firmly established its position as a world leader in Beauty Therapy.
Jenna uses her international insights to mainstream excellence through the delivery of a professional workforce training programme and uses WorldSkills practices to influence change in higher technical standards across qualifications and assessment development within the UK.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in education and quality assurance, Jenna has focused on competition-based activity as a catalyst for raising standards and developing high-performance cultures within technical education. Alongside this work, she is honoured to be a Director at Habia, the government-recognised standards-setting body for the hair and beauty industry.
Laura Leong has been actively involved with training others for high performance for over thirty years. With a background as a national and international competitor and trainer, she has dedicated significant time and energy into understanding the art and science of optimised learning.
With a genuine personal commitment to lifelong learning she has studied psychology, pedagogy, coaching and counselling. Laura’s background specialisms are in the creative arena where she has won multiple awards and has been recognised as an industry influencer, teaching and demonstrating both nationally and internationally. At the last WorldSkills Competition in Lyon Laura oversaw and had assessment quality responsibility for six international skills competitions as part of her Skill Advisor Role.
Laura has a particular interest in promoting a practical understanding of performance psychology and the role it plays in equipping young people with the skills and resilience needed to have the best start in work and life.
