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.

Rhian Morallee

LLB and Employment Lawyer and Accredited Mediator

Rhian’s extensive and diverse experience as an Employment Lawyer, for over 20 years,  has given her great insight into high performing, pressured and stressful situations which can negatively impact the wellbeing of individuals and businesses.  Over the years she has listened to the different perspectives of business and individuals and has drawn on this in her own business, specialising in practical employment law advisory, mediation and preventative employment law and mediation training.

She is a keen problem solver and looks for ways to improve the potential and situation for all.  Rhian trained as a Mediator having been at the mercy of the Employment Tribunal and Court System for so long and recognised that often there is another way, which may in fact have a better outcome for all. Rhian has always been interested in the psychology of humans and following working in and with businesses and employees she understands that each of us respond and react to situations in our own way.  As a result of this, Rhian has explored and taken a keen interest in new and innovative ways of increasing wellbeing.  She was a Trustee of South East London Mind for almost 4 years and believes that an increased understanding of self and what works for you and others , increases resilience and wellbeing, reduces conflict and increases potential.  With one foot in the legal world and the other in business, Rhian’s unique and varied experience of employee disputes, together with her business knowledge and interest in people puts her in the forefront of understanding that an individual’s wellbeing is key to success.

Her favourite quote is from Maya Angelou “Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.” Which encompasses her love of learning and influencing increasing the potential of both the individual and businesses alike.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, singing in a choir and swimming as well as attending sound healing events.

Clair Mackenzie

Health & Wellness Coach

Clair holds a biology degree and blends her scientific knowledge with advanced coaching techniques to help individuals transform their relationship with food, health, and themselves.

Clair’s journey into health and coaching was inspired by the life-changing transformations she made to her own wellbeing in her early forties, leading her to become a Certified Health & Life Coach.

Over the past eight years, Clair has supported hundreds of men and women worldwide—including in the UK, Australia, South Africa, and the USA—through personalised health coaching.

Clair balances her coaching practice with specialist contract roles at the London Stock Exchange Group and Thomson Reuters. This dynamic portfolio career enriches her ability to connect with clients across diverse industries, offering practical strategies and insights to support personal and professional wellness.

Previously, Clair was Senior Marketing Director at Thomson Reuters, where she refined her skills in leadership, strategy, and communication. Her corporate background ensures her coaching resonates in professional settings, while her dedication to wellbeing provides a holistic, transformative approach for her clients.

“The decisions you make today about your health are the ones your future self will thank you for—so make them count! When I’m not helping others live healthier, more intentional lives, I enjoy country walks with my husband and miniature labradoodle or visiting my young adult children as they start new adventures.”

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’

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!’

Jialyn Knight – BA

North American Marketing Manager

Jialyn is a Marketing Professional with 10 years of experience across Health Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Influencer Management. A Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) graduate in Communications and Media Studies, she has worked with brands such as Pepsi, Lay’s, Royal Caribbean, Stingray Music, and Rodeo FX.

Now based in Montreal, Jialyn brings her expertise to Wellbeing International, focusing on creating impactful marketing strategies and building strong brand connections.

“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”!