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About us

Meet the team

Impact is bursting with energetic, talented and passionate people who want to make a difference. Our people work from over 30 global locations.

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Shino Takahashi, Impact International
Japan
Shino andTakahashi(Shelly)
Assistant Manager, Human Development

'Making Work Enjoyable for Children' I’ve spent 17 years in retail, gaining experience in sales, customer service, training, HR, and recruitment. This taught me that business growth relies on people’s growth, inspiring me to pursue my own and motivate children. A key moment was a training program at Impact Co. 11 years ago, sparking my passion for talent and organizational development. As a working mom, I focus on balance—committing to work weekdays and spending time with my toddler daughter on weekends. This balance is key. 

Trevor Johnson
USA
Trevor andJohnson
Senior Consultant

I am a passionate, strengths-based leadership coach and facilitator who focuses on taking what is right with people and creating more of it! I have a passion for driving sustainable DEI and well-being initiatives, specializing in LGBTQ+ and mental health topics.

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Stephen Smith, Impact
UK
Stephen andSmith
DevOps Lead

I am the DevOps Lead at Zinco, helping Impact build its web presence. I love the diversity my role brings, I work with many types of organisations and interact with some amazing people. I’m a problem solver and love tinkering with new technology to see what’s around the corner. Outside of work my passion is cycling and enjoying time with my family.

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Courtney Henderson
UK
Courtney andHenderson
Software Developer

I’m Impact’s resident back-end developer; working to build robust, efficient, and reliable systems to underpin our experiential learning platforms. I take pride in collaborating with like-minded individuals who share common interests and values, collectively unlocking each other's full potential. As a Lake District native, I feel a strong connection to the area in which Impact is headquartered and have seen first-hand the local and global effect that Impact achieves.

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Abi Black Impact
UK
Abi andBlack
Project Manager

As a Project Manager I am responsible for the end-to-end implementation of our client solutions by managing and coordinating the client service teams. During my time at Impact I have worked with a broad mixture of clients and participants ranging from graduates to senior leaders. In my free time I enjoy spending time in the Lakes, planning my next holiday and spending time with friends and family.

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Gianna Ruffo
USA
Gianna andRuffo
Program, Manager

As a Program Manager at Impact, I get to utilize the communication and organizational skills gained from my 6 years of customer service experience and owning my own business. My favorite aspect of the role, is seeing a program be designed and developed over time, come together in the end. In my free time, you will find me cooking, hiking, painting, or playing with my dogs! 

Rachael Garner, Impact International
UK
Rachael andGarner
Global Account Director

I consult with our customers to understand their business aspirations and challenges before recommending a learning solution that is going to exceed their needs. I maintain close relationships to ensure they receive the best possible service. I work across all market sectors and levels; however, I'm particularly passionate about graduate development. Out of work, you’ll find me up a mountain attached to either a rope or a pair of skis.

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Damiao Lo
China and Hong Kong
Damiao andLo and
Senior Consultant

Working with Impact allows me to cross-germinate ideas and learnings between clients globally. In an ever-changing, dynamic business environment, I promote everyone to be designers of possibilities.

Mark Quest, Impact International
UK
Mark andQuest
Consultant

I’ve worked in learning and development since 2000 across a broad range of sectors. I always enjoy the challenge of identifying participants needs and matching the environment, task and conversation to help create meaningful and long lasting learning. Outside of work, you'll find me exploring the outdoors with my family, be that on bikes, in canoes, rock climbing or even exploring underground; we love the challenges that adventure brings to our lives.

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Claire Hewick, Impact
UK
Claire andHewick
Support

I was an associate for Impact for 21 years before becoming part of the full-time team. I love the sense of fun, friendship, camaraderie and the way Impact works. Oh, by the way I’m on the Technical Support Team – ropes and boats, programme design and logistics and lots of other things too. I love my job, get loads of out of it, meet lots of amazing people and learn new things all the time – how lucky am I?

Luigi Sabatino
Italy
Luigi andSabatino
Senior Consultant and Facilitator

I love my job at Impact because it allows me to connect with people and put those skills to good use. As a consultant and facilitator, I enjoy helping people explore and tackle issues, increase their awareness, and uncover their potential. I enjoy jogging, hiking, studying foreign languages, and hanging out with friends on my days off.

Sam Egerton
Singapore
Sam andEgerton
General Manager

An adventurer, I was raised in the UK and have lived and worked in Eastern Europe, Spain and now (since 2012) Asia, where I head up Impact’s Singapore Office. A fierce supporter of the authentic self and advocate for individual growth, I care deeply for my team and clients, wanting them to shine for who they are. I have a keen sense of challenge and adventure, and away from work, you can find me with my young family (usually outdoors!).

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Mark Sanders, Impact International
UK
Mark andSanders
Head of Operations

I manage equipment, projects and vehicles at our HQ. I have a certificate of competence in the inspection of personal protective equipment for adventure activities, level 3 qualification in transport managers professional competence and IOSH managing safely certificate. My sense of humour helps me to cope with a job which is at best dull. Playing guitar with the infamous Impact band "you get what you pay for" is simultaneously the moment I'm most and least proud of.

Monika Jamorska
Poland
Monika andJamorska
Head of Project Management

At Impact I manage projects, build relationships with clients, organize events and support our super team by sharing motivation, creativity and a smile. At work and in private life, I pay attention to details, I value directness and minimalism. I am looking for inner peace through contact with nature, cinema and new hobbies. And good food.

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Mario GianAndrea, Impact Italy
Italy
Mario andGianAndrea
President and Founder

I’ve been many in my working life: an HR Director, an entrepreneur, a leader, a coach, a salesman, a visionary, a confidant, a manager. And a friend. And I am still excited (and sometimes anxious) when I meet a new group of people. I genuinely enjoy it! This is the reason I'll probably work for another decade! The only difference compared to the past: today I can afford to only work on projects and with people that I really like and that gives me the feeling that it will be great fun!

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Sam Rostas, Impact International
UK
Samantha andRostas
Global Lead

After 10 years leading the UK, I am now in a global role focused on two areas: one leading a people project, the other focused on marketing. I grew up through Impact as a marketer and love the buzz of building business through brand and storytelling. My other passion is the people and culture here, so this is the ideal combination for me. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, enjoying the outdoors and practicing yoga.

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Alissa Joy
UK
Alissa andJoy
Project Manager

Programme Coordinator at Impact. I am based in the Windermere office (UK) and joined the company in 2021. 

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Simon Wheatley, Impact International
UK
Simon andWheatley
Senior Consultant

Analogue at birth, digital by requirement. I don’t do Facebook, and have nothing to do with hashtags. Is this bio going online? Eurgh! I am an eye-to-eye, face-to-face human being. I elevate small talk to medium talk. Then, (on a good day) to infinity and beyond. That’s my job. Favourite pastimes: Good days. Woodland crafts, festivals, and campfires. Specialist skills: Reading body language; parallel parking.

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Yutaka Sugimoto, Impact
Japan
Yutaka andSugimoto(Yutaka)
Chief Glocal Officer

I was inspired by experiential learning on a leadership programme in 1992 and have worked for Impact ever since. Experiential learning and reflection alongside theory and skills input is a platform for real behaviour change for leaders. My passion is building an organisation worth working for and supporting our clients by developing people. I play football and enjoy discussing the match with friends. Drinking beer maybe more important than playing football.

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Simon Brown
UK
Simon andBrown
Accountant

AKA Bloodaxe. I am an accountant at Impact. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cycling and heavy metal. Not all at the same time, though – that’d be dangerous.

Joe Dickson
UK
Joe andDickson
Business Development Executive

Since joining Impact in 2019, I've had the pleasure of working in the Business Development team, supporting our global BD teams with Lead Management. My passions lie in the outdoors, sports and surrounding myself with great people. Outside of work, you'll find me pottering around the Lake District fells on my mountain bike.

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Stuart Kelly, PhD Researcher
UK
Stuart andKelly
Associate

I have a passion for helping people in organisations perform to their potential. I have spent the past 10 years co-creating solutions to develop high-performance cultures. I work in elite sports and use the transferability of the skills people need in those environments in a competitive business one. I completed my PhD researching Leadership & Well-being in blue-chip organisations and apply this to my practice.

 

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David Williams, Impact International
UK
David andWilliams
The Boss!

I co-founded Impact in 1980 to explore adventure and experiential learning in people development. It worked! We now inspire and develop people worldwide. Shared values, a common purpose and a spirit of adventure bind us together. With over 200 colleagues working in the UK, Europe, America and Asia Pacific, we have a solid reputation for enabling clients to build leadership capacity and navigate complex change. To stay grounded, I rear rare breed cattle and sheep.

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Fabio Sparatore
Italy
Fabio andSparatore
Managing Partner and Executive Coach

After many years in big Italian firms, I now help clients understand and achieve their development goals. In Impact since 2003, I have gained experience in HR processes, organisational consultancy, assessment, training and development of managerial competences and leadership. I love mountain biking, silly jokes, deep reading, socialising and…meditating too. Whenever you want to work hard while having fun, call me!

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Leadership

The leadership playbook: executive summary

Get hands on with our interactive leadership playbook, shaped by 45+ years' experience working with some of the world's biggest organisations.

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Leadership
News

2025 Training Industry Top Training Companies Lists: Leadership Training 

Training Industry, known for its independent and rigorous assessment of the training marketplace, has recognized Impact as a Top 20 Leadership Training Company for the 15th consecutive year.

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Change
Innovation & Creativity
Leadership

C-level leaders on navigating complexity

Discover what it means to lead in today's global business environment through our insightful eBook.

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Emerging Talent
Transformational Leadership

Frontline leadership program for Orica

A 12-week blended program designed to help frontline leaders develop foundational and practical skills to be more effective in current

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Change
Digital & Technology
Leadership

Podcast: Is BANI the new VUCA? with Jamais Cascio

Jamais Cascio created the BANI framework in 2018 and six years later, Impact is the first UK/US based organisation to invite him to speak about it. In this podcast we explore what BANI is and how...

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Change Management
Transformational Leadership

Empowering transformational change through leadership with Charter Manufacturing

Charter Manufacturing’s multi-award-winning programs have produced leaders who are enabled to be agile and lead transformational change.

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Our awards

Year after year, we continue to be acknowledged for the quality and effectiveness of our partnerships with clients and for our own work on building Impact as an organisation worth working for.

2025 Training Industry Top 20 Leadership Training Company
Top 20 Leadership Training Company 2025

Impact is a 2025 Top 20 Leadership Training Company. Training Industry independently assess the training marketplace for top providers. Their Top Leadership Training List, based on capabilities and expertise, includes Impact for the 15th consecutive year. 

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AITD 2025 award finalist
AITD Excellence Awards 2025

Orica's Frontline Leadership programme has been shortlisted in the Best Leadership Development category of the AITD Excellence Awards 2025 (Australian Institute of Training and Development).

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