Key Staff

Andy Powrie, Director

Andy gained a BA Honours Degree in English and Drama from London University. He then spent a postgraduate year studying Performance Arts at the Drama Studio, London, graduating with distinction.

As an actor, Andy worked in repertory, television and film. He has directed theatre in the West End and Opera at the Royal Festival Hall.

A founder Director of AKT, Andy creates programmes, scripts, live scenarios, and training films. He also facilitates conferences workshops and events, and is a consultant on the design of simulations and safety workshops.

Working widely across the public and private sector, for clients ranging from The Cabinet Office to Shell, Andy has created programmes as diverse as Security for the Nuclear Industry and Brand Stewardship for the advertising world. His work in Behavioural Safety has been adopted by clients in oil and gas, construction, utilities, aviation, manufacturing, national and local government and distilling.

Andy is an associate of the KPMG Tax Business School, for which he has designed and run programmes in selling skills, negotiation, impact, report writing and influencing.

He is a published playwright, a member of the Society of Authors and a Trustee of the Southwold and Aldeburgh Theatres.

email: andy.powrie@aktproductions.co.uk.

Tim Bannerman, Director

After gaining an MA in English at Cambridge University, Tim trained and worked as a journalist before doing the post-graduate acting course at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Then followed ten years as an actor, writer and director in repertory, radio, films, corporate videos and TV, before the discovery of an original approach to the use of theatre as a change and development tool led to a change in professional direction.

Tim is a Founder Director of AKT Productions Ltd. with responsibilities for marketing, strategic development, programme design and facilitation. He has travelled extensively with a range of programmes, from North America with our work in behavioural safety, to the Middle East with our work for Government, to the Far East with our work in banking.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and is intent on restoring the family tradition of cider-making in Herefordshire.

email: tim.bannerman@aktproductions.co.uk.

Sue Briggs, Project Manager

Sue Briggs was originally a practising psychologist before retraining as an actor.

She met AKT in 1998 and worked for them freelance before joining as a full time member of the team. Sue designs and facilitates theatre-based training programmes across many subject matter areas but has a particular interest in Behavioural Safety and has worked in this field for over 10 years. Her early experience was working in partnership with Shell and Step Change in Safety, the organisation which promotes and shares learning on safety across the Oil and Gas industry.

Since then she has worked extensively in Oil and Gas, Construction, Rail, Roads, Nuclear and even a distillery on Speyside.

email: sue.briggs@aktproductions.co.uk.

Annette Tierney, Project Manager

A graduate in communications and marketing, Annette spent a decade working in the pharmaceutical sector in sales, marketing and commercial development. As a performer she trained in acting with the Gaiety School in Dublin and worked for several years in Irish theatre and television.

Annette then spent over seven years using theatre-based learning techniques with businesses through the formation of Irish company Jel. Annette developed her skills as a theatre-based learning practitioner with corporate and community organisations and now produces and facilitates workshops using highly interactive forum techniques.

Having joined AKT in 2010 Annette leads programmes in their design, production and facilitation. In addition to live theatre events she produces interventions using film as a communication and storytelling tool.

email: annette.tierney@aktproductions.co.uk.

Celia Gray, Company Accountant

Celia graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Psychology & Physiology from London University. She then completed the two year Graduate National Administrative Training Scheme in the NHS before deciding to train as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. On qualification, and having been involved in training at DH&S, she joined Financial Training (London) as a lecturer, specialising in audit and taxation. She became a director of the company and also qualified as a member of The Institute of Tax.

On the birth of her second child she took a career break and used the time to acquire a Cordon Bleu Diploma and to train as a Master Practitioner in NLP.

She worked on a project with Andy and Tim just before they founded AKT and has looked after the finances of the company since its inception.

Her outside interests include Argentinean tango, cooking and growing auriculas.

email: celia.gray@aktproductions.co.uk.

Pauline Lord, Operations Manager

Pauline graduated from Warwick University with a BA Honours Degree in Theatre and Performance Studies, she went on to perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that summer.

Pauline managed a bar in the city for two years where she ran several events and established a successful Comedy night. After leaving the catering industry Pauline went on to provide administrative and project support for various organisations, including several arts based companies and Transport for London.

She joined AKT Productions in July 2006 and spent three years running the office, providing support for the team and projects. During these years she gained valuable experience in the workings of AKT and completed a Events Management Diploma, passing with Distinction.

In September of 2009 Pauline embarked upon a belated 'gap' year in search of sun and adventures. A year spent in Australia, travelling, working in events in Melbourne and more bizarrely a stint as a cook on a cattle station in the outback fitted the bill.

Returning to AKT in October 2010 Pauline is now responsible for managing operations.

email: pauline.lord@aktproductions.co.uk.

Isabel Affum, Admin Assistant

Graduating with BA Hons in Business & Sociology from Kingston University, Isabel joined AKT after stints working in insurance, property, television & government, doing varying roles from librarian to production assistant.

In fact, the only work Isabel hasn't done are those involving animals & children! With an array of skills from her various work experience, Isabel will be first point of contact in the office, answering your calls with a cheery greeting.

email: isabel.affum@aktproductions.co.uk .