About Sterling
Established in 2015, Sterling Training was founded to meet the demand for high-quality, rapidly deployable training solutions for global military and defence organisations.
A trusted training provider to the British Army, the company quickly built strong relationships with the military in the Middle East, where we earned a reputation for delivering outstanding bespoke training.
Working as a ‘hidden gem’ for defence primes, we help them deliver a world class service to their clients through advanced defence instructor training, bespoke technical language programmes, cultural preparation courses and other enrichments for their customers.
This sustained success reflects Sterling Training’s commitment to excellence, innovation and long-term impact in defence training, where we provide life-changing learning experiences that strengthen capability and readiness.
Our Approach
We believe training should be transformational not transactional. Our bespoke programmes are rooted in a passion for learner-centred training, with a strong emphasis on practical application and real-world impact.
Our expert trainers don’t simply deliver content — they facilitate powerful learning experiences that connect deeply with participants, reinforce existing knowledge and challenge assumptions. By making training engaging, energising and interactive, we dramatically increase retention and application of skills. Tools and techniques are practiced repeatedly and participants leave confident to deploy them at work.
Our distinctive, discussion-led methodology is highly valued across defence communities for its ability to drive sustainable, long-term transformation. Combining hands-on skills development with strategic insight, our programmes consistently deliver measurable results for individuals, teams and organisations. See our case studies page for more examples of our pedigree.
We are proud to be an accredited ILM centre, reflecting our commitment to quality and internationally recognised standards.
Working with us – what to expect…
Transformational training, designed to meet your needs, delivered by experts.
Evaluation reports, recommendations and action plans at the end of each programme.
Training designed dynamically for your teams and your outcomes.
OUR TEAM
We have a team of highly skilled and experienced subject matter experts, all trained in our learner-centred techniques, who design and deliver highly specialised courses to meet our customers’ needs.
Richenda Askew
Training Manager, Trainer & Coach
Richenda is the architect of Sterling’s learner-centred approach and the designer of our unique TILT instructor course. She has trained business leaders, clinical staff, teachers and trainers all over the world but her work is most often focused on instructor development for the Army.
A highly qualified Learning and Development professional, Richenda’s qualifications range from a clinical degree in Speech & Language Therapy (SLT), to an HR qualification from CIPD, as well as a PGCE, several English Language Teaching qualifications and a Masters in Education Studies. She is also a qualified Neurolanguage Coach and Global DISC profiler and coach and thanks to her extensive experience of living and working abroad, she is also our cultural expert.
Lynn Mead
Trainer and Coach
Lynn is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CIPFA) who moved into financial and management consultancy and project management roles where she discovered her passion for training. A qualified Personal Performance Coach and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Lynn loves using our learner-centred delivery methodology to bring practical skills to life.
Her experience as a trainer for the Armed Forces Career Transition Workshops makes her the perfect trainer for our military participants and she enjoys delivering finance and accounting, as well as leadership, communications skills and project management techniques.
Andrew Smith
Trainer
An extensive Army career from 1972–2008 culminated in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as UK MOD Commander Medical, after which time, Andrew trained as a teacher. He delivers English, military language, cultural awareness as well as a range of topics around his experience within supply and logistics.
Vicky Taylor
Trainer
Vicky started her career working in financial services, latterly as an auditor with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, which took her from London to Singapore and Australia. A chartered accountant by qualification, Vicky has designed and delivered many training programmes, from helping managers and officers to understand the basics of finance, to communication and leadership, customer service and soft skills. Facilitating is at the very heart of her sessions – getting people talking and sharing their experiences and practical skills.
Claire Foxley
Trainer and Coach
With broad experience drawn from 24 years in the Army and 12 years as a Chief Executive, Claire delivers training, coaching and mentoring focused on developing strategy, people and teams. Claire loves supporting people to become a better version of themselves and is particularly well-placed to deliver leadership and management skills to those still serving as well as commercial employees.
Phil Houghton
Trainer
Phil’s key role was as Principal Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy, specialising in surface and anti-submarine warfare. He was responsible for the management and programming of 14 ships employed from Gibraltar to Finland in both training and operations.
After managing operations in Kosovo (Army and Royal Marines) and Iraqi No Fly Zones (RAF), Phil qualified as a teacher and having been trained to deliver in our learner-centred style brings a huge amount of expertise to the team. Phil works closely and enthusiastically with our clients designing and delivering military terminology, leadership, project management as well as tactical and operational training.
Annie Purcell
Trainer
Annie balances a career in teaching and training with one in Military Intelligence, having been an Army Reservist since 2013 and contributed to several overseas as well as UK based operations. She has 20 years’ experience as a trainer specialising in Learning Support, Challenging Behaviour and Alternative Curriculums.
Annie now enjoys combining her skills and expertise by delivering bespoke technical language or specialist military training to our civilian and military clients, either in the UK or overseas.
Jono Oswin
Trainer and Coach
Jono works across the UK, Europe and the Middle East helping to drive change and enhance individual and team performance. He has the ability to connect with delegates in a way that makes his sessions personal and relevant. Jono’s open, honest and challenging approach encourages dialogue and participation in both military and a commercial settings.
Jono’s extensive experience in the communications industry has given him a real depth of practical knowledge and experience, which he brings to his sessions. Management and leadership skills, as well as effective communication skills are the areas Jono relishes and he takes great pride in seeing the growth and development of those in his care.
Helen Price-Evans
Trainer and Coach
Helen is an experienced and dynamic trainer with a pragmatic and creative approach to her specialist area of HR and people management skills. With a proven ability to work at both a strategic and operational level, Helen relishes the challenges of bringing the best of her commercial nouse to our military clients.
Helen has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and is a Certified Master Practitioner NLP. She is very creative in the training room and ensures much of the learning is experiential. Delegates find her friendly, professional and entertaining.
Emma Lacey
Managing Director and Trainer
A professional educator, Emma has worked in both the public and private sector managing large contracts for the Army and the prison service. Now, as owner and Managing Director of Sterling Training Ltd, she works closely with commercial and military clients to help them realise their strategic and operational goals. When she can, she still delivers training, including Sterling’s unique TILT instructor training programme.
Mike Shepherd
Trainer and Training Adviser
Mike has over 25 years’ experience in language education, international training and cross-cultural communication in a variety of locations across the globe, delivering business English, cultural awareness, presentation skills and international relations.
Using our learner-centred style, Mike uses his enthusiasm and boundless energy to motivate our international defence sector clients, preparing them for training in fields such as finance, logistics and aviation engineering. He also works with our Armed Services clients in the UK, where his courses centre on enhancing cultural and communicative competence in the international training room.
Shiva Venkateswaran
Trainer and Coach
Over 25 years of experience in a variety of corporate roles across different countries has given Shiva a keen instinct for results-driven and outcome-focussed training. He is highly experienced at designing and delivering bespoke high impact training, both in-person and virtually and as a certified Executive coach, Shiva loves working with leaders at all levels in leadership, management and business expansion.
OUR PARTNERS
We also have a small selection of best-in-class training providers and original equipment manufacturers to help us deliver specialist programmes to meet client demands. Together we offer a formidable capability, combining expertise, innovation and delivery excellence.
VISION AND VALUES
Our vision is to be an internationally-recognised leader in bespoke training, serving logistics, technical and defence sectors through responsive, human-centred delivery. Our values are:
Positive impact
We focus on outcomes that change lives and strengthen organisations.
Partnership
We work closely with our clients and suppliers, building trust and long-term relationships.
Excellence and quality
We deliver customised solutions that meet the highest standards.
Nurturing
We create safe, supportive environments where people can be curious, grow and thrive.
Social Sensitivity
We recognise, respect and adapt to the personal and cultural differences of every learner.
Speak to us now about your training needs. We’re here to help.
30-33 Palmerston Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 1LL, United Kingdom
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