Meet the team
Kate Pigeon-Owen – BA Hon., ITEC, CIMI
CEO & WellBeing Consultant
Having worked in London as a manager in the corporate, statutory and voluntary sectors, and after running her own Stress Management Company, Kate took a leap of faith and moved to the Norfolk/Suffolk borders where, in 2016, she launched Wellbeing International Ltd.
Kate has invited a selected group of dedicated, highly qualified experts who share her enthusiasm, to join her in helping small to medium sized businesses establish their own Wellbeing Programmes. Wellbeing International offers a variety of Capsules, Trainings, gender-neutral Workshops and Retreats on the web and face to face covering topics from Parenthood, Sleep, Breathwork and Resilience, to the Menopause.
Fascinated and led by science Kate believes that her considered blend of both a researched and holistic approach to a team’s wellness, plus her warmth, understanding and empathy for the individual, are the key to her success.
‘After much encouragement and persuasion by my partner, I’m thrilled to have started exploring the wonderful Norfolk countryside on rollerblades’!
Sonja Montague MacKay
Mindfulness, Breathing and Emotional Culture Consultant
Sonja is the founder of The More Human Company (TMHC) and The Wild Orange School of Wellbeing. A former executive who has worked across three continents in international economic development, Sonja launched TMHC to support people to increase their personal wellbeing and become more human leaders.
Blending positive psychology, neuroscience and contemplative practices, Sonja’s unique style provides practical easy to implement tools to enhance the every-day in small incremental steps.
‘Twenty eight plants and counting and they all have names! Avid tree hugger and crazy plant lady with a slight coffee and stationery addiction’
Sue Firth
Sue Firth is a Business Psychologist, Performance Coach & a leading authority on stress, resilience, and well-being. She is also an author and helps CEOs and senior executives manage their work, life and become more resilient. She works both with groups and individuals. She is an international speaker & presenter and holds both a Batchelor of Science and a master’s degree. She is a member of the British Psychological Society and The Health Professions Council. Sue regularly appears in the media & press, has an established social media following and has been a guest/expert on ITV and the BBC.
She runs a private practice in Cambridge, and London.
She has written several books including ‘More Life, Less Stress’, ‘Taking the Stress out of Leadership which are available on Amazon, and ‘Understanding Relationships’ available from her site. She regularly appears on the Radio and television and runs her own podcast, The Executive Edge.
Frances Salles
Stress Management Consultant
After training in counselling and therapeutic massage, Frances and her husband Robert opened the Isthmus Centre for Health in 1994, offering a range of complimentary therapies. and were founding members of HSC Training Europe, specialising in work-based stress management.
After the unexpected and tragic loss of her husband in 2000 her life changed: “My professional understanding of counselling and stress management suddenly became deeply personal and I had to draw on everything I had learnt and taught.” Frances and her young son moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2004 where she worked as CEO of a non-profit homecare agency, running a Dementia Carer Support Programme, and opening Santa Fe’s first residential hospice house.
Her work deals with life as it is; messy, challenging, sometimes heartful, sometimes heartbreaking, and always amazing.
“You’ll most likely find me swimming, year-round, in the chilly sea off the coast of northern Brittany or hiking through forests with my husband, Jean-Luc, looking for mushrooms and foraging foods.”
Deniz Paradot
Qigong and Mindfulness Consultant
Deniz is an experienced Mindfulness and Qigong practitioner and teacher with his award-winning Qigong and Mindfulness programmes successfully used in organisations such as the NHS, Parkinson’s UK and The Royal Voluntary Service. These programmes won the coveted Active Norfolk ‘Activity in the Community Award’ in 2019.
He has also worked with multinational companies such as Bentley Motors and Mondelez International delivering employee wellbeing initiatives.
He is a highly regarded authority of Qigong and Mindfulness and as the author of ‘Move Life Better’, his approach and method of teaching have been hailed as:
“the spark that will surely ignite a revolution in the way in which Qigong is practised and taught in the modern world”.
“For the best part of 30 years, I have lived, breathed, taught qigong and mindfulness. It’s been my honour, sharing knowledge and empowering thousands of individuals to help themselves with their physical and mental health”.
Kim Uzzell
Financial Wellbeing Consultant
After a 30 year corporate career as a stockbroker and investment manager, Kim handed back her building pass and lanyard to focus on supporting a wider range of people in becoming financially confident and resilient, setting up The Financial Wellbeing Academy and My Money Movement.
Kim helps to make the dreaded ‘money talk’ easier, helping those with levels of financial unease deal with their feelings of shame, guilt and fear allowing everyone to feel in control of their money.
“Having completed 8 marathons, I know that the first step is often the hardest, but with determination, inspiration and motivation we can achieve things we never previously thought possible.”
Gail Bovenizer
‘Trainer in Training’ – Wellbeing for Mothers & Babies
Gail has joined the team as a ‘trainer in training’ for the Wellbeing For Mothers & Babies Programme. She is passionate about the wellbeing of new parents as this can be a challenging time for all, and believes that attachment is the basis for a healthy childhood. Gail trained in Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies during lockdown as it was more important than ever at that time. She loves teaching it face to face now and seeing how much the parents benefit from the class.
She has been working in this field since 2002 and is an International Trainer for the International Association Of Infant Massage and the Massage in Schools Programme. She has extensive training experience in Europe, Asia and Australia. Gail is a Director of a company called Complete Harmony.
‘I’m also passionate about animals and foster puppies and kittens to give them the best start in life (although I’ve failed at some re-homing attempts and now have 3 cats and 1 dog)!’
Ed Pearson-Shaul
Education Advisor
Ed graduated from university in 1994 with a degree in Education with Physical Education and Religious Studies. He has taught for over 25 years in both secondary and primary schools and was a headteacher for more than 12 years in two primary schools. He is an instructor in both Infant Massage, and Massage in Schools, and has an MA in Educational Practice and Research from the UEA, where he researched the impact of peer massage on children’s well-being and relationships. Now working independently, he supports schools and Multi Academy Trusts with school improvement and staff wellbeing.
Passionate that education is the most powerful force to change lives Ed believes that curiosity, creativity and robust mental health are just as important as academic attainment.
‘Physical exercise, spending time outdoors and being with my family are three things I love to do. A walk in the country is a great way to combine them and refresh my mind.’
Francesca Davey
Physiotherapist & Pilates Teacher
Francesca’s passion for health, and helping to support others came through her own personal experiences within healthcare from a young age.
Francesca graduated from Bournemouth university with a BSc (Hons) in physiotherapy in 2017, and began a specialist job in the musculoskeletal field within the NHS straight away. Since then, she has worked hard and progressed from junior, to senior to lead physiotherapist.
In 2023, Francesca expanded her skills and trained in Pilates with the APPI. She now offers regular classes and 1:1’s, which offer a chance to strengthen the body, and calm the mind.
Francesca prides herself on maintaining a strong evidence-based approach with her physiotherapy and Pilates practice, as well as offering a holistic view and treating everyone as complete individuals.
‘I adore spending time , especially with my two horses, Joey and Fleur, and my little Pomeranian, Pixie! I’m a massive foodie too, so always concocting new healthy recipes in the kitchen!’
Sharon Peirson-Hagger – B Ed, CIMI
Infant Massage Consultant
Sharon graduated from university with a 1st class honours degree in English, Drama and Education and began her career in London as a teacher in Primary Education.
Following the birth of her two children Sharon changed career as a Deputy Head Teacher and Literacy Specialist, and retrained as a Massage in Schools Teacher.
In 2013 she became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage and is now one of the UK’s leading baby massage instructors with over 27 years of experience of working with children and their families.
‘There is nothing I love more than standing in a field listening to my favourite band and dancing the night away’
Caroline Roberts – BA Hons., PGCE, ITEC, CIMI
Wellbeing for Mothers & Babies Trainer & Consultant
Caroline holds a post-graduate certificate in education and has trained and qualified extensively in many areas of complementary therapy. She runs her own private practice in Surrey where she integrates seven different healing modalities into her treatments. Using her vast wealth of knowledge Caroline has proceeded to train hundreds of Holistic Massage Practitioners and Aromatherapists, and more than a thousand infant massage instructors throughout Australia, New Zealand and nationally within the UK.
As the joint course creator of the successful accredited training course ‘Wellbeing for Mothers & Babies’ Caroline passionately believes in supporting new parents and their babies traverse into this unknown territory.
She is the author of ‘grace from grief; death, divorce and the divine feminine’
“I love going to yoga, hanging out with friends, lying on the grass and exploring anything to do with the raising of our consciousness”
Penny Simmonds – MAR, CHO
Reflexology and Menopause Consultant
Penny trained as a general nurse, midwife and health visitor prior to setting up her own Reflexology practice in Suffolk almost 30 years ago.
As well as providing 1:1 reflexology to her clients, she also facilitates meditation sessions, a variety of hand and foot workshops and her popular ‘Introduction to Healing’ course aimed at those wanting to learn relaxation and visualisation techniques as well as healing for friends and family.
Penny is an expert in supporting women going through the Menopause. She loves the opportunity that Wellbeing International offers of allowing her to combine her skills with the knowledge of her colleagues here at Wellbeing International, providing workshops that are truly tailored to the specific requirements of our clients.
A keen dressmaker, I love the creativity of making something unique. Examples include upcycled charity shop purchases and a much admired top, made from a pillowcase!’
Jialin Knight – BA
North American Marketing Manager
Jialyn is a Marketing Professional who graduated from Carleton University’s (Ottawa, Canada) BA programme with a major in Communications and Media Studies. Over the past 9 years Jialyn has worked in various sectors of the Marketing industry, including Health Advertising, Radio, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and Influencer Management. She has built her professional portfolio by managing brands such as Pepsi, Lay’s (Walkers), Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Stingray Music, and more. She is based in Montreal, Quebec, and is currently the Head Social Media Manager at Rodeo FX, the largest independent VFX studio in the world. She is passionate about her work and is thrilled to be part of the Wellbeing International team.
“Fun fact – I love all things supernatural and true crime. Podcasts, movies, TV shows, books – I’m obsessed!”
Clare Corcoran LMT
Massage Consultant
Clare runs her own massage therapy clinic treating clients of all ages with a variety of conditions. Pain Management is one of her passions as well as teaching people how to pace themselves and listen to their body…prevention is key after all!
Clare graduated from Massage school in 2002 after completing her studies in Massage Therapy, Anatomy, Physiology and Hydrotherapy in the USA. She returned to England and has been treating clients ever since.
Her love and respect for massage began following almost an entire childhood as a sufferer of M.E. Complementary therapy helped her so much to increase energy levels and decrease muscle pain that she was inspired to learn to help others with similar conditions.
Clare believes that listening to your body is the way forward, and that understanding and learning about yourself is a vitally important investment for your health.
“One of my favourite things is being snuggled up in front of a roaring fire with my golden retrievers”!