OUR
TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM OF EXPERIENCED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITATORS.

We’re an approachable, professional and caring bunch — experts in consultancy, project management and facilitation.

Experts in sustainable behavioural change. A dream team. Whatever the scale or type of training you need, we can provide the team to match.

MANDI CONNEELY
PROJECT & MARKETING COORDINATOR

I joined Interaction in 2015 after living in Virginia, USA for 3 years. Prior to this I spent many years working within customer service in the UK publishing and print sector - after owning my own print business in Southern Africa for +10 years.

I work with a number of Interaction’s key clients to provide the project and administrative support needed by our internal team and our clients.

My role also includes providing marketing support for our sales activities, website, and events. I coordinate and support our popular Talent Forum special events and registration process.

I am passionate about our brand and as a creative at heart, enjoy producing high-impact and high-quality visuals for our programmes, marketing materials and sales tools, and thoroughly enjoy watching our brand continuously evolve.

In my spare time, I’m a keen cook, PT and Pilates enthusiast, and love nothing more than my two young granddaughters keeping me young and fit!

LAURA KELLY
IT & Admin MANAGER

I’ve worked at Interaction since 2004. I oversee the day-to-day provision of ICT and facilities, ensuring everyone has the equipment and support they need to do their job well. I also provide administrative support to Project/Client Managers and am the first point of contact for many of our clients.

I enjoy working closely with our clients to make sure our projects, programmes and workshops run smoothly – both virtually and in person.

We’re a busy consultancy with a large number of clients, so I’m also responsible for resourcing our programmes, ensuring we provide the best facilitators and teams to meet our clients’ needs.

I’m passionate about cooking and nutrition and enjoy shopping locally and ethically. I’m also a qualified yoga teacher.

MELANIE HOWELL
Finance & Project Coordinator

I’m an experienced Administrator with a passion for all things admin. I joined Interaction in 2021 and support our internal team and clients. I have a keen eye for detail and set high standards for everything I do. Admin makes me happy.  Honestly!

We all live in a more virtual work world now; and, as we are discovering, efficient remote working requires more organisation, not less. This includes the administration and coordination of our hybrid programmes.

I enjoy the variety of the work I do, liaising with both the internal team and with delegates and clients.

In my spare time, I listen to lots of music and enjoy going to gigs.

MATTHEW IVES
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

I am passionate about helping people and organisations grow. As Deputy Director at Interaction, I support the Managing Director across all aspects of the business, contributing to strategic direction and taking responsibility for leading our operations and finance functions.

I believe that leadership behaviour has a powerful influence on workplace culture, and I am committed to creating environments where openness and adaptability can thrive.

Earlier in my career, I held leadership roles at Deloitte, Marsh and Allianz across Europe and Asia. I now use that experience to help align strategy with delivery to create lasting impact.

Outside of work, I enjoy cycling and going for an open water swim when the sun is out!

CATHERINE MILNE
SENIOR CONSULTANT

I’ve worked in learning and development for nearly 20 years and design, deliver and manage different learning programmes for our clients – from early talent and high potential, through to technical leaders and senior managers.

At the heart of all our programmes, is a belief that emotional intelligence is key for individual growth and development.

I’m an ILM L7 executive coach and mentor and a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

I’ve enjoyed many different roles at Interaction, having started work here as an associate role player. I’ve helped with marketing, been an associate facilitator and, having stepped away for a couple of years to work client side in L&D roles, am now firmly back in the fold.

KATIE SCOTT
MANAGING DIRECTOR

I’m Managing Director at Interaction, with overall responsibility for leading the business and shaping our strategic direction. Twenty years ago, I took a leap from a career in FMCG brand marketing with large multinationals to follow my passion for behavioural development – and I’ve never looked back.

I love combining my curiosity about how organisations work with the day-to-day challenges and rewards of running a growing, purpose-led business.

Drawing on broad commercial experience, a deep interest in people development, and organisational insight, I help steer the design, delivery and management of diverse leadership programmes – while guiding Interaction as a thriving employee-owned organisation with big ambitions.

In my spare time, I have a (not so secret) passion for running far and wide across hills and trails. Some may call it a hobby; some may call it escapism. All I know is, I love it!

CHRISTINe HOOD
SENIOR CONSULTANT

Passionate about helping people, I have been working in experiential learning and development for over 10 years and I work as a Senior Consultant with Interaction.

My work is varied and encompasses many different areas including delivery, design and working in partnership with our diverse clients to deliver programmes that focus on behavioural change and transformation.

Working with people at all levels of their careers, I thrive on helping them to develop their potential. I am passionate about drama based learning and the transferable skills and methods used by actors which are brought to life in our workshops and 1:1 sessions.

I advocate the benefits of developing deep rooted self-awareness and helping people recognise the benefits of less is more, being present and demonstrating high level listening skills.

Outside of work, you will often find me enjoying the great outdoors, going to the theatre or cheering on drivers in the F1!

DANIEL YUKI SMITH
learning Consultant

I have worked in three continents across a number of industries including translation, market research, pharmaceuticals and education and apply this experience to my everyday work within learning and development.

A personal passion of mine is coaching a growth mindset through self-reflection and I particularly enjoy using creative coaching ideas that enable people to develop new skills.

I believe the key to sustained learning is creating a safe environment where the learner feels able to make mistakes. It’s essential learners compose ideas for themselves, test these out and learn from the experience. This ensures a learner’s conviction in their own ability grows and enables them to realise their full potential.

Out of work I enjoy playing and watching basketball as well as other sports but also like to dabble in some DIY, a homemade pizza oven being one of my greatest creations.

HARRY PARSONS
LEARNING CONSULTANT

I have a passion for helping people develop and have over 16 years’ public sector experience with operational leadership teams and as an organisational development practitioner, learning facilitator and project manager.

As a fire service leader I grew to understand the way teams performed in difficult circumstances and how important non-technical people skills are when leading teams. I now channel my passion for helping people through learning and development and empower individuals and teams to become the best version of themselves.  

I believe the key to high performance lies in a culture of openness, trust and inclusivity. I help individuals achieve this through raising self-awareness, nurturing curiosity and providing a safe space to explore and innovate.

Outside of work I love to get in the ocean, I surf, paddleboard and swim with varying degrees of success!

EMMA BACON
BUSINESS SUPPORT ASSISTANT

With many years of experience working with new talent and developing leaders, I bring a wealth of knowledge to my role. I have worked with Interaction for 14 years, the last 2 working as an integral part of the core team. I support all team members and the wider business to ensure success and growth.

I manage the Talent Forum and enjoy the opportunity to connect with L&D professionals during our weekly meetings. My diverse project and programme management expertise, coupled with excellent communication and people skills, enables me to inspire and motivate at every level – driving exceptional outcomes.

I’m passionate about people development – my ultimate goal is to make a positive difference in others’ lives.

Outside work, I channel my energy into dance, running a weekly ‘Dancing Divas’ class where I teach routines across a variety of musical genres. I adore cats and currently we have five, although there is always room for more!

loz taylor
project coordinator

My experience spans multiple industries, where I’ve honed my skills in managing projects, and optimising processes to increase productivity through efficient workflows. I enjoy collaborating and helping others to solve problems.

I’ve long been committed to both personal growth and development within the workplace. Over the past few years, I’ve attended workshops and courses that have deepened my self-awareness and challenged my own thoughts and beliefs, including completing my yoga teacher training in India.

Outside of work I’m an avid adventurer, who loves exploring new places, cultures and cuisines. I’m especially drawn to nature and the ocean, where I spend my free time surfing and recharging.

I feel grateful to be part of the Interaction team, whose values align with my own.