Steven has worked with Anna on two large projects – one for Avon Cosmetics and the other in the public sector for the Scottish Qualifications Authority – the latter receiving an astounding average of 9.8 out of 10 for the 4 pilot deliveries of this programme. Anna and Steven are like-minded kindred spirits, both with a deep passion for experiential and accelerated learning.
Anna Beckwith
Background & Professional Expertise
Anna was formerly Commercialisation Manager and then Head of Development and Public Affairs at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, promoting and developing new income streams and latterly marketing the college. Prior to this, her work included work on BBC live daytime television, and a stint as an MP's researcher. From here, she branched into corporate communications, in which she specialised for several years.
Whilst working for a leading corporate communications consultancy, she developed numerous communications strategies and products for blue chip clients and government organisations, and became increasingly involved in training senior management and business leaders in advanced presentation techniques.
Anna has developed and delivered training and communications initiatives both in the UK and Europe, for companies including Glaxo SmithKline, the Royal Bank Of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, BAE Systems, Johnson and Johnson, NFU Mutual, Castrol International, the MoD, the water and civil engineering industries, and many, many more. She has also written articles on experiential and arts-based training for several publications both online and offline, and contributed reports to the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Culture Committee.
Training Approach & Style
Anna' s approach to training is very interactive, very creative, and very engaging. Working on the premise that we learn using ALL the senses, her development and delivery work involves the use of experiential - and sometimes unusual - methods and metaphors to allow participants to make connections between theory and practice, and to cement the learning.
Anna's work also focuses on the 'what's in it for me', for participants, not only highlighting new skills, behaviours and techniques, but also seeking to provide the emotional impetus that will mean that they apply these new skills and behaviours in the workplace.
Specialist Skills
In keeping with her interactive and creative approach to training, Anna has worked extensively on the development, presentation and delivery of training programmes utilising drama, film-making, music, photography and many other art forms as a catalyst for learning business principles, in addition, of course, to mainstream training delivery.
Considerable research into accelerated learning methods and a professional background that includes performing arts, in addition to extensive experience in business and b2b marketing and communications enable Anna to bring a unique blend of skills and experience to the learning scenario.
