Penny, your trainer, is a Certified Professional Facilitator (Master) of the International Association for Facilitation (IAF). She has spent decades helping people unlock their creativity and find their own facilitation style. She’s a natural mentor and encourager. Originally she trained as an engineer (PhD from Cambridge), where she had to draw complex problems out on paper to understand them and communicate ideas with others. Penny discovered later that simple graphics could also bring clarity, connection and engagement, to complex, high-pressure people environments, even facilitated workshops!

Penny has worked with leaders and teams across industries, from tech, pharma and finance to universities, government and charities, using visuals to cut through the noise and bring out the best in everyone. She even uses them when she teaches Leadership on Durham University MA Modules. Penny’s approach is about making things simpler, clearer and more human (and, she adds, a lot more fun!)

For Penny, graphics help to capture ideas and help people be seen. She knows that many facilitators worry they “can’t draw” in public, so she’s designed this workshop as a safe, supportive space where laughter and exploration are part of the journey. (Just take a look at that photo of her laughing – she'll bring that sense of fun and support to help you enjoy the day. Most of the time she's focused and sensible, as you can see from the books she's written and her post-graduate degrees in both science and arts subjects.)

Penny’s also the bestselling author of Making Workshops Work: Creative collaboration for our time, and every participant will receive their own signed copy. You’ll leave with new graphic tools and your own sense of visual style, and also with a renewed sense of confidence and excitement in your facilitation journey.