we develop businesses by developing people

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Meet the team that delivers without fail

Team Instep is made up of 38 experienced consultants, trainers, learning designers, client managers, project managers and support staff... ….oh, and we’re also home to some rare newts and long-eared and pipistel bats!

As a team we’re wholly committed to achieving results. We never settle for ‘good enough’ and when we research, design and deliver solutions, we leave no stone unturned.

We’re extremely proud of our achievements and we’re not shy in letting you know what a great team we’ve got.

Our highly skilled trainer and consultant team are amongst the best in the industry; coming from the ‘real world’, many are former managers themselves and have experience working in a variety of public and private sectors.

Click on the pics to read more about us!

Peter Hitchen, Managing Director & Co-founder

Instep best bit: "Both a personal and professional achievement – the renovation of our offices, a beautiful 19th Century barn and farmhouse that had lain empty for 27 years."

As Managing Director, it’s Peter’s responsibility to steer and manage the strategic direction of Instep UK. Having studied and pursued an early career as a scientist, Peter brings both an analytical mind and a methodical approach to the business.

After co-founding Instep in 1992, Peter has led the business through success story after success story – from working with some of the North West’s top 10 businesses (United Utilities, Co-operative Financial Services, Bentley and PZ Cussons) to winners of a national training award for outstanding people development.

Suzanne Hitchen, Director & Co-founder

Instep best bit: "Too many to choose from, but creating The Vimto Academy with Nichols plc in 2002 probably stands out the most. Originally created to provide a unique management development programme for Nichols plc, the Academy was quickly taken up by other clients and established us as a leading training provider within the food and drink sector."

When you meet Suzanne you can’t help but feel inspired. According to her team, Suzanne just oozes passion and enthusiasm in everything she does – whether she’s pitching to a new client, designing a set of new learning resources or planning our next team outing.

As co-founder of Instep UK, Suzanne was responsible for the creation of the Instep approach (or The Instep Experience) – a unique approach to learning that blends Accelerated Learning and Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.

With many achievements and accolades to her name, Suzanne was voted Business Person of the Year under 30 and she was also responsible for helping the first organisation in the North West achieve the Investors in People award.

Mel Flood, Business Development Director

Instep best bit: "Achieving preferred supplier status with Co-operative Financial Services. It was a lot of hard work but definitely worth it. Oh…and swinging through the trees when we went to Go Ape!"

Mel is a trusted expert when it comes to customer services and account management. With an instinctive sense of getting to the heart of any issue, Mel helps her clients develop and navigate a clear training and development plan.

A voice of reason and calm whatever is thrown her way, Mel is responsible for generating new business and developing existing client relationships.

Mel looks after major accounts such as Co-operative Financial Services, RWE npower and United Utilties.

Rob Johnson, Service Development Director

Instep best bit: "Introducing the Transfer of Learning philosophy into Instep – a defined way in which our delegates can transfer their learning back into the workplace. This provides visible and tangible results – something our clients love!"

As our resident authority on Leadership and Management Development, Rob is also responsible for managing our team of trainers and consultants – ensuring that our service delivery exceeds our clients’ expectations time and time again.

A former Training Manager at South Stafford College and Merseyside Innovation Centre, Rob joined the team in 2002. With a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years, Rob manages some of our key accounts – including Müller Dairy and Kerry Foods.

Ape-ing around


Never frightened to try something new, we recently enjoyed the dizzy (and sometimes terrifying) heights of Go Ape! in Delamere Forest, Cheshire.

Whilst some of us faced up to our fear of heights and others proved to be natural adventure seekers, we all relished the opportunity to work as a team -helping each other climb rope ladders, cross obstacles high up in the trees and fly down zip wires!

Feeling the Chill

You might think we’d popped over to the French Alps, but in fact this was at our latest team event - the fantastic Chill Factore in Manchester.

We all enjoyed the chance to behave like kids again as we did a spot of luging and tubing (that’s short for - sat in a big rubber ring and screamed down a snow covered hill!).

Team Instep