Andy Murphy

Andy holds a business degree with an HR emphasis and is DTLLS Teaching qualified (Level 6). He has been teaching for more than thirty years, with extensive experience as a Lead Verifier. He has supplemented that experience by working with organisations from various backgrounds, including the military and public services.

He has been working with Avado for the last five years, teaching on both Level 3 and Level 5 programmes. He also has over 30 years of people management and leadership experience, with a focus on learning and talent development.

Need to know: Andy used to teach cross-country driving and has a rescue German Shepherd named Jess.

Grant Ward

Grant is a qualified educational professional, who’s passionate about inspiring others to achieve, unlock their potential and change lives. He’s been a member of the CIPD for over six years and is working towards chartered status.

Need to know: Grant loves working in the digital sector, as with such wide global reach it provides an opportunity for him to help and support many students from all over the world – assisting them to make a difference.

Dr Nicola J Bowman

Nicola joined Avado as a CIPD marker over 6 years ago and now is employed as a CIPD tutor.  She has taught CIPD levels 3, 5 and 7 and CMI Levels 5 and 7, in addition to supporting learners on both MA in HRM and Senior Leadership programmes throughout her career.

Nicola previously worked within HR, where she provided HR support on various HR and management-related topics to support managers. More recently, she managed CIPD and CMI provision within a local college including the management of a team of 22 lecturers, having been actively involved in the recruitment, engagement, development and performance management aspects of their roles. 

Need to know: Nicola loves to roller skate.

Vanesa Serafini

Vanesa holds an LLB (Hons) from the Open University and a Master of Laws (LLM) in legal practice from the University of Law. She is currently undertaking the CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Learning and Development.

With a career spanning 15 years in HR leadership roles within the UK and overseas, Vanesa possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all areas of HR. Prior to joining Avado, she was a CIPD lecturer delivering HR qualifications at both Kingston College and Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College.

Need to know: A self-confessed life-long learner, Vanesa enjoys keeping abreast of the developments going on in current affairs and her profession.

Honor Holloway

Honor holds a degree in human resource management and has a range of experience working in the HR field, from induction training to contracts administration. She has worked in a variety of businesses, providing HR troubleshooting and general support.

Honor joined Avado in 2015 as a CIPD HR tutor and has worked in all of the programmes. She has a wide range of experience in teaching, having worked at Amersham and Wycombe College, where she delivered courses on BTEC Business, HND Business and CIPD Level 3 & 5. 

Need to know: In Honor’s spare time, she is a keen public speaker and a qualified toastmaster. Honor also enjoys helping friends and family write speeches for special occasions.

Loretta McKay

Loretta holds an honours degree in management studies, a postgraduate diploma in human resource management and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

She has taught at further and higher educational establishments across Scotland, having specialised in HR, business management, employment law as well as the CIPD courses (levels 3, 5 and 7). Loretta has over 13 years of experience working within the public and private sectors, where she specialised in employee relations.

Need to know: Loretta is a keen marathon runner.