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The Team
The New Start - Are you up for a challenge?
Are you looking for a future in motivation? Do you think you have what it takes to get others thinking about success. Do you think you could motivate teachers? Perhaps you can see yourself as part of our world class customer service team?
If so, send your CV to happy@treeof.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact The New Start
Ben Best - Creating confidence in Ireland.
Ben has now been with the Tree of Knowledge since 2004 where he was intiially brought into the company to become a full time pupil trainer, but over the recent months Ben has had the oppurtunity to develop the Tree of Knowledge in Ireland and Northern Ireland, in which he has grabbed with both arms.
"I have to say that working with the Tree of Knowledge is the most amazing experience I have ever had. I get to help the young people of today reach thier full potential and I get to have fun in doing so"
Aside from the obvious advantages and disadvantages of growing up in a town called Shat, Ben enjoyed great success within sport, representing his county at just about every sport you can imagine. Notably Ben had trails for Bradford Bulls (Rugby league), Huddersfield Town (football) and played golf and squash for his county on a regular basis.
He moved to Scotland when he was 18 to study Sports Development and Coaching. Whilst completing the course he also spent time in America playing and coaching golf in which he experienced a lot of success in both playing and coaching. Once he returned Ben took up the post of Sports Co-ordinator at the University of Abertay Dundee. He also coached football for the Scottish Football Association, Dundee united FC and most of the local primary and secondary schools.
Ben now spends his time in Ireland and when he is not working you will probably catch up with him on the beach surfing, on the golf course or at the bottom of a rugby scrum.
Ben's motto - 'Happy Days Dude!'
Contact Ben
Derek Walker - Clarity, Vision, Focus.
Derek Walker has co-directed the Tree of Knowledge since his co-founding it 2001.
Today, Derek has added "International" to his job description. He's specifically assigned to the Tree of Knowledge in Australia, having presented at a number of leading universities there on the subject of encouraging confidence in young people. Closer to home Derek has spent this last year working with the Tree of Knowledge team leading them into a clearly defined future.
In addition to being co-director and founder for Tree of Knowledge, Derek also finds time to party hard and make the most of his life in general. He believes, "the way to experience real happiness is to help as many people as you can to believe that they can achieve all that they wish for".
During his career, Derek has been honoured with awards from the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust, Shell Livewire and from many school pupils and staff who have experienced his motivational personality first hand. He is most proud of being honoured by his colleagues when they nominated Derek for Britain's Best Boss 2005 & 2006.
Most recently, Derek has also been leading the Tree of Knowledge in its growth into England and Northern Ireland.
Derek began his career in pre-school education and says his love for education really began when at Scotland's National Aquarium in North Queensferry where he worked as the Senior Education Officer, leading the presentation department in its pursuits of building awareness of 3E's Education, Entertainment and Environment. Derek left Deep-Sea World to become team leader for the schools motivational training organisation The Learning Game where he found himself and his ability to motivate others. Derek believes his success is driven by a belief that we create our own luck and he spends his time chasing his dreams of helping those who want to help themselves.
Derek was born in Scotland's ancient capital Dunfermline in 1974 and is proud to live there now with his partner, Martin.
In his spare time, Derek enjoys reading, travelling, and finding great places to eat; he is a magician and can be seen eating fire!
Contact Derek
Colin McLeod - Opening minds, intriguing futures.
The indepth story of this trainer coming soon...
Contact Colin
Gavin Oattes - Entertaining Potential, Inspiring Belief.
Since joining Tree of Knowledge, June 2004 Gavin has worked his nmotivational magic in every department. This year Gavin steps into new shoes taking on the role of Tree of Knowledge Managing Director, replacing Founder Derek Walker. We all wish him luck, excited to see him take Tree of Knowledge to new heights.
He grew up in Troon where he attended Marr College and spent most of his days playing rugby, and volleyball. After leaving school in 1997 he headed north to Aberdeen where he trained as a primary school teacher. During this time he was president of the student association.
It was at University that Gavin became interested in the performing arts, particularly comedy. He would spend many hours writing and rehearsing comedy sketches. Any free time he had was spent driving from Aberdeen to comedy clubs all around the country to perform.
After graduating from University in 2001 with an Hons Degree in Primary Teaching, Gavin took his unique brand of humour around the world. The pinnacle of this was a four week run of his show "Bravefart" at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2002.
Gavin returned to Scotland and moved to Glasgow where he had hoped to continue performing. However due to a break up with his comedy partner, his final performance of that show was to be in Troon Town Hall to nearly 1000 people.
In 2003 he moved to Edinburgh and took up a teaching post at Tranent Primary School in East Lothian. This proved to be the most enjoyable teaching experience Gavin had ever had. It was during this period that he took part in an in-service day training course called "Putting the Fun Back in the Staffroom". The course was presented by Derek Walker, Chairman of The Tree of Knowledge, a company that Gavin had heard amazing things about. "I couldn't believe that the perfect job for me actually existed! " says Gavin. "Derek gave me his business card, and the rest shall we say is history".
Gavin is very proud of what he has achieved in his time with Tree of Knowledge. Having worked with literally tens of thousands of youngsters and adults he is very passionate about trying to make a difference in people's lives. Gavin has always been one to chase his dreams and think big and he hopes to continue to inspire and motivate many more people throughout his career.
Living happily in Edinburgh with his wife Alison and son Kian, Gavin enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His motto in life is "be excellent to each other"!
Contact Gavin
Gary Walsh - Confidently building, building confidence.
Gary hails from the "sunny south east" of Ireland and the lovely coastal town of Waterford (Up the Deise!). He went to school in De la Salle College, Waterford and left there in 2000. He now lives in South Queensferry with his fiance Jude. He has been a trainer at the Tree of Knowledge since March 2007.
Gary's background lies in music. He is a classically trained trombonist, having studied for four years at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He has played with all sorts of amazing bands and orchestras all over Europe and he has absolutely loved every minute of it. However he has now put the trombone back in the case for the time being and is now concentrating on his exciting work with TOK. In 2005, after living and working as a musician in Manchester for five years, Gary decided that he wanted a new and meaningful challenge so he decided to train as a secondary school music teacher at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. From there he taught at a number of schools in the Glasgow area which was an incredible experience. From there he moved to working with TOK which was a huge move for him, but one which he is extremely thankful for. "It's the best job in the world and I love every minute of it!"
Because of his performing background, Gary's move into Motivational Training seemed a very logical choice - he loves being in front of an audience! His sessions have a very laidback, informal atmosphere which puts everybody at ease straight away. He is very passionate about what he does and has an insatiable curiosity in the people that he works with in his sessions.
Other talents of Gary's include being a former All-Ireland Javelin Champion (you wouldn't think it to look at him) and he once won a mammoth doughnut eating competition at the RNCM which is talked about to this day.
Contact Gary
Alan Burton ...your competitive edge.
Although Alan has only been with the Tree of Knowledge since January 2005 he has already been involved in various aspects of the Tree of Knowledge. Alan has a very successful sales background with Toyota GB so his natural role was obviously to join the sales team.
Alan quickly showed a natural talent and interest for training and as a result became a valued member of the training team.
When growing up, Alan was always and remains heavily into his sports, playing everything from football to table tennis and actually represented his country at Squash on several occasions.
"Joining the Tree of Knowledge has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life", "it has allowed me to achieve so much in such a short space of time and still continues to amaze me with how much belief everyone has to ensure we make a difference to every single child, teacher or parent that sits in on our sessions or uses our resources".
Alan has currently been given the fantastic opportunity of expanding the Tree of Knowledge into the North-East of England and beyond. Alan can often be seen presenting pupil training around Scotland, with a smile on his face.
Contact Alan
Dougie Clark ...your best interests at heart
Born 1976 in Edinburgh Dougie moved to Glenrothes in Fife. Following his attending Glenwood High School he was employed working for Kirkcaldy District Council on a Youth Training Scheme. Dougie's career experience broadened as he made a dramatic career change when choosing to work with SKY TV, it was here that he decided to set up his own business running one of the first mobile car valeting services in Scotland.
Dougie's entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed led him to the Tree of Knowledge in 2005 where he now gets his kicks from creating opportunities for young people to experience the Tree of Knowledge motivation programmes. During his time at the Tree of Knowledge Dougie has presented many motivational training courses to students throughout Scotland and had been commended by his clients on many occasions for being inspirational and enthusiastic in his approach to helping others.
Dougie has made the gym his home from home and thrives on the 'buzz' he gets from working out. Dougie is wonderfully positive about marrying his future wife Celia in 2007 and lives for the time he spends with his son Troy.
Contact Dougie
Karen Brown - Officially yours...
Karen was born in Dunfermline in 1964, and totally confesses to not acting her age! "My daughter thinks I'm cool, and so do her friends" she proudly says. She loves nothing better than dressing up in strange clothes and going to rock and goth music gigs. Not a great sport lover, she nevertheless enjoys walking, and is proud of her participation in the Caledonian Challenge, a 54 mile walk in 24 hours back in 2004.
Karen has had several jobs in her working life, most notably as personal assistant to the officer for Central Scotland in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, and office manager for a technical sales agent in Dunfermline before joining Tree of Knowledge back in February 2003.
"Tree of Knowledge changed my life. I have always had a positive outlook, and believed in the power of the 'can do' attitude, but it was totally reinforced and added to when I joined the Tree of Knowledge" says Karen. Pestered relentlessly by the team here at the Tree of Knowledge into booking a proper holiday, she eventually went to Rhodes for her first foreign holiday in 14 years in July. "My goals have broadened immensely since I have been here, and my next goalpost is Australia next year!"
Karen is single and lives with her 19 year old daughter Linzi and her cat Bill!
Contact Karen
Sarah McKinlay He aha te mea nui? He tangata. He tangata. He tangata.
The full story coming soon.
Contact Sarah