Meet your tutors
Our trainers bring decades of real-world experience to help you succeed.
Steph Millward
A learning and development professional specialising in conflict resolution.
“My mission is to empower leaders to adapt, grow and overcome workplace challenges.”
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Charmari Downing
An expert trainer and psychotherapist with a passion for relational development.
"Great leaders know that relationships are the foundation of success."
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Early in my career, I recognised that creating strong relationships is essential for building trust and positively influencing behaviour. I have trained hundreds of professionals to develop successful workplace relationships, and resolved thousands of individual workplace disputes before they’ve had a chance to escalate – including averting collective industrial action in an NHS Trust. I hold qualifications in careers guidance and coaching, conciliation and mediation, and training facilitation.
I want leaders everywhere to have access to the essential relational skills that I use every day, which is why I’m dedicating my time to training others in the art and science of relational capability and conflict resolution. Married for 30 years, I cherish family time with my two daughters and one granddaughter. I love giving back to my local community, which is why I co-founded and chaired the Ilkley Cycling Club in Yorkshire – the UK's largest cycling club with over 1,000 members, 40% of whom are women.
I’ve experienced my own share of professional challenges too. Back in 2011, I was the managing director of a plastic injection moulding manufacturing company. Like many businesses, we faced extreme pressure to survive the economic downturn, and I knew we needed to expand our wholesale marketplace to include direct sales if we were going to make it. I had to convince my business partner that this was achievable, and we implemented the change on a small scale at first, bringing in new sales channels and managing hundreds of new customer relationships.
By being responsive and relational in customer service and delivery, we were able to establish a solid customer base and build a good reputation. By 2013, retail sales accounted for 45% of overall turnover, and the company had returned to profitability.
Being relational and capable of influencing decision-making was crucial here, because my business partner was also my husband – and he still is! This is just one of many challenging learning experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.
I want to share my expertise through OnePlusOne’s evidence-based Relational leaders training, so that you can overcome the challenges you’ll face, and achieve your own successes.
Steph Millward
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Having worked across three continents and in various sectors, I have come to realise the importance of healthy relationships as a basis for success. I am motivated by connection and seeing individuals and teams flourish, whatever their circumstances.
I have spent decades helping people to recognise their skills, building confidence to deliver their goals and achieve results. My diverse career has taken me to corporate settings such as Ford Motor Company and Fluid Interactive, and to the charity sector with Compass International Family Center and Oasis Children’s Home. I frequently speak at events and conferences, bringing messages of hope and transformation.
I am a qualified integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, with two degrees – a Bachelor of Arts (psychology and international relations) and a Bachelor of Commerce (major in management and human resources). I also have qualifications in project management, training, and facilitation.
I’ve been married for 20 years and have four children. We’ve been fortunate to live overseas, experiencing the richness of many cultures, making connections across the world. I’ve enjoyed leading and building teams that help those in need.
My professional experiences have shown me how to turn around “impossible” situations.
A change of leadership in an organisation I was involved with created instability, low confidence, and a loss in clients. As an active trustee, I was able to coach and mentor the new chief executive, allowing them to discover unique talents and productive vision. I played a key role in instigating strategic focus and organisational best practice, facilitating planning at board level and bringing a professional perspective.
Being able to partnership-build using emotional competence, self-awareness and strong communication helped me create positive change. Within a short time, client numbers picked up, the team was flourishing, and the new chief exec was leading in a way that suited their strengths.
Challenging experiences shape people . The difference we can make when we engage with each other – staying authentic to ourselves, giving dignity to others, and finding shared values – brings lasting change.
I am excited to share everything I learned in my own journey through the Relational leaders programme, which not only has an incredible impact on a professional level, but can also change the way we look at all relationships.
Charmari
