“Having just completed eight weeks with my team working with Gill at Koru I have already noticed a marked improvement in the resilience and composure of both myself and my team. The combination of easily accessible techniques, supported by proven science/research helped the team accept and engage with the programme. It won’t be for everyone, but for those that do give it a go it has the potential to be one of the most impactful/significant pieces of personal development they will do in their careers.”
David Cole, COO, UK Sport
“Koru is a great way of understanding yourself and managing your life. It helps you work out a healthier balance between action and thought and creates both physical and mental harmony. Simple techniques that can be learnt even if you are an experienced manager already. I would recommend the professionalism and wisdom of their approach and people”
Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive, WEA
We have been working with Koru Development for a few years and feedback from the Building Resilience course is always excellent. Gill’s training style puts people at ease and her expertise in this area means that delegates walk away from the training with new methods to support their wellbeing. We also commissioned Gill and Viv to deliver ‘Growth Mindset’ course to one of our teams. This course was bespoke and Gill worked with the manager to make sure that the content and examples were relevant to the group’s development. The group gained new tools for working with external stakeholders in challenging situations. Koru Development offer unlimited after support to learners which is a testament to how much they care.
Angela Schlegel, Learning and Development Manager, Natural History Museum
Gill and Viv ran a Mindful Leadership Workshop with a group of Professional Services and Academic leaders undertaking the University’s Bonington Leadership Programme. The session was a valuable introduction to this topic, providing some practical steps for managing oneself and for managing others using mindful techniques. As well as covering the theory, Gill and Viv encouraged an interactive session and a safe space for us to practice techniques. This was enhanced by incorporating our lovely rural setting and carryout parts of the workshop outside.The team were good to deal with in setting up the workshop. Available to answer questions and design a bespoke experience for our group, professional throughout, arriving punctually and well prepared for the session.
Larissa Morrish, Head of Procurement, Lancaster University
Gill made a real difference to the effectiveness of CABA’s new suite of training courses. Her subject matter knowledge gained the respect of the delegates and her sensitive facilitative approach encouraged some absolutely invaluable discussions. She created the environment that then enabled us to remain in contact with and so be able to support the delegates attending.
Dr Hilary Lindsay, Chairwoman Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales and CABA Trustee
My first meeting with Gill was when she came in to run a Mindfulness Class during Wellbeing Week. Gill instantly makes you feel at ease and with her warm welcoming smile you just can’t help but feel relaxed in her presence. Gill was very organised leading up to the session but extremely flexible during it; she has a wonderful way of making you feel comfortable during the whole thing, allowing you to enjoy it so much more. I would highly recommend Gill and will definitely be using her skills again.
Coleen Crane
HR, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company of Europe plc
Gill and Viv ran a fantastic four week Mindfulness evening course at the V&A. They are both well-qualified and knowledgeable, and have a genuine interest in the subject matter. The sessions were delivered through a caring approach with a huge effort made to respond to the student’s needs, listening to their stories and feedback, and answering questions. Each week was tailored around different themes which were explored through presentations, discussions, and practical tools, all supported by scientific research. Although the topics were sometimes challenging, Gill and Viv maintained a relaxed environment for the group. They went the extra mile by supplying handouts and email addresses for students to contact them if they had any further queries. Both myself, and the students enrolled, learnt a lot from attending the course each week. The V&A would highly recommend working with Gill and Viv and we look forward to running another course with them this autumn.
Jenny Phelan, Learning Academy Programme Manager: Courses, Victoria and Albert Museum
“We have worked with Gill Thackray of Koru Development on a number of occasions, including staff meetings, in-house training and as a guest speaker at our postgraduate conference focused on Business and Leadership. Feedback about these sessions has always been very positive, leaving staff and managers confident in the training received. She combines professional and knowledgable content with a very personable approach, which has worked very well for our team. I would warmly recommend Gill for any similar project, and look forward to working with her in the future.
Nina Waters, Corporate Services Director, British School of Osteopathy
I got in touch with Gill when I was searching for mindfulness training for my colleagues. Right from the start, Gill’s approach was personal and informative. She took the time to call me and ask specifically what I was looking for, and arranged the mindfulness training to suit our office of 20 people. Gill prepared an excellent introduction to mindfulness session, with just the right mixture of research-based information and practice. Her guided mindfulness exercises during the session were a hit and really demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness and how we could work it into our day to day lives. Many of my colleagues came away from the training wanting to know more about mindfulness and continue the practice. Thank you so much Gill!
Allison Spangler, Resource Manager, Surrey Translation Bureau
“Gill’s training session on ‘Mindfulness at work’ was first class. The day was very thought provoking and I came away with a greater understanding around the subject and a list of useful resources. All delegates were engaged throughout the session. I would highly recommend Gill as a trainer”.
Wendy Saunders. Head of development, CABA
“It was a pleasure to work with Gill. She is an inspirational teacher and facilitator. It was worth the investment of time and effort over a precious weekend to gain the benefit of her insight. I would happily attend further seminars by anyone with this level of skill.
Dr H Turton, NHS
“Gill’s session with our team was extremely helpful. We had just had our busiest year ever. She gently but firmly got us to reflect on our stressors and how we could deal with them. The day has provided us with a number of strategies for dealing with heavy workload and for ensuring that our activities are focussed on maximising value. Her approach was non-threatening and gave us all a fun space in which to reflect and grow.”
Dr. Philip Dixon, Director of ATL Cymru
“I have worked with Gill on a couple of projects, in particular relating to stress management. I have found her to be both perceptive and responsive. Thorough in her approach, she has delivered sessions that are both informative and stimulating. I have no doubt that we shall work together in the future.”
Nicki Landau, Head of Human Resources, ATL
“I had a wonderful working day with Gill on negotiation, leadership management, body language and communication style. Thorough out the session with Gill I was able to learn self-management, negotiation and working under pressure as these are very essential for my current job with United Nations Development Programme for Iraq. I have started applying what I have learnt day to day and shared my knowledge with my colleagues at my office. I would like to thank you Gill for sharing your knowledge and experience with me.”
Zina Habib, Project Associate, United Nations, Iraq
I asked Gill Thackray to help my subfertility department as one of our patients complained about the lack of empathetic communication in our team. Gill was very approachable prompt and had a tailor made session for our team in compassionate caring. She had prepared well for our day and we spent a day of training in compassionate caring. She brought my whole team together and it helped us discover our strengths and weakness and brought the team together.She taught us to have compassion for ourselves! It helped us set some goals and move forward as a team. I am planning another course for my trainees and colleagues in assertiveness .I am sure from my past experience that Gill will deliver and my department will be able to move forward. I recommend Gill for team building and training in compassion
Aruna Ramineni Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Romford
“We’ve worked with Koru on several occasions, primarily for one-to-one coaching for staff, but also for a team building workshop. Gill is efficient and responsive and interacts sensitively and professionally with our staff. Her international background is a real asset in working with us as an INGO. We have had good feedback from the staff Gill has worked with, and I would absolutely recommend her as a coach and facilitator.”
Ellie Cannell, Head of Human Resources, IPPF
“Of all the training providers we use use here at Clarasys, Koru are one of the most hassle free training partners to deal with.We use Koru initially for our leadership alignment days. The feedback from our delegates was only positive, the way in which the days were tailored to us and conducted with our needs in mind made it both enjoyable and a learning experience. Gill is extremely well prepared and professional and each post each of the sessions our teams displayed the concepts of teamwork and communication that we were hoping to achieve.We now also use Koru development for 1-2-1 coaching, short 90 minute ‘master-classes’ on specific topics and are looking forward to kicking off our first mindfulness program. I would absolutely recommend Gill and will use Koru for our future training needs.”
Claudia Meyer-Scott, Director, Clarasys
I can honestly say that I have never seen such fantastic feedback for any external provider in all of the 25 years I have been in post. Well deserved praise came from all delegates on the course that Gill and Viv ran for us. The vast majority asked for a return visit and everyone said that it had been an investment of their time and they would definitely recommend it to a friend. Some even asked me for the contact details of the company so that they could organise Koru to come into their departments to provide training for their teams.
Yvonne White, Rheolwraig/Manager, Sefydliad Meddygol Wrecsam/Wrexham Medical Institute
“Gill delivered training on ‘Leading and Managing Change’. She took time to understand our organisation and the needs of all participants. The course was delivered in a professional manner, Gill shared her subject knowledge in an informative and interactive way and related it to our needs throughout. All participants found the training highly beneficial and we would certainly utilise Gill in the future.”
L Ritchie, Human Resources, Combat Stress
“Gill is always an absolute pleasure to work with. She is flexible and efficient in organising the training she delivers. Feedback from delegates is always positive, she is knowledgeable on her training subject and delivers her message in a clear and varied manner appealing to all learning styles. Gill is professional, approachable, well read and has a genuine passion for the training she is providing and the people she is working with.”
Jackie Bridge, Workforce Development Coordinator, Berkshire Connexions
“Insightful psychology on how to work harmoniously with people of different character traits. It was all new to me as a fundraiser (probably shouldn’t have been!) and it made me appreciate the different and complementary strengths of my colleagues. Gill was witty, energetic and really encouraging. We all felt the training was immensely helpful.”
Anna Somerset, Head of Fundraising, British School of Osteopathy.
