Work Life Body®
About us
CopyrightFiona has practiced as a Business Consultant for
the last 16 years, in management training,
communication skills, people and business
development.

Emphasis on health has played an important role
in training and mentoring individuals and teams on
performance and motivation.
Fiona Slade
Fiona was formerly joint Managing Director of a successful business consultancy which specialized in business development, communication and management skills. With A levels and a Business Studies Diploma from technical college, she began working life with an agency in London, in the West End. She joined a team at Colgate Palmolive running the Sunningdale Golf Tournament; a team at an international bank involved in planning and research projects; advertising agencies co-ordinating product launches; support, customer services and PR in large firms of solicitors and accountants - and taking a job in project management with a large construction team. Career moves built on the project management, operations and marketing, relying on strong communication skills, training and management. Fiona then worked as a freelance consultant and in 1995 started a business consultancy as joint Managing Director. The focus was on business development and people skills - communication, management, team, presentation, sales, negotiation, motivation, coaching and counselling - always trying to emphasize that health was an important key to success. The business grew from start up to a £2.6m turnover plc in 4 years, running many simultaneous contracts from £12k - £693k, involving consultancy, design, business development, recruitment, administration, organisation and all the requirements of the business and associates. The business was sold and Fiona then discovered the benefits of taking a lot better care of herself. She attended nutrition, anatomy and physiology courses and seminars and has studied the subjects covered here since 2001. She now combines business skills and consultancy, health and people development - always working towards the intricate balance of demands, survival and success in modern life.

CopyrightSacha Swift-Smith
Chartered Physiotherapist, BSc MCSP HPCreg

Sacha works as a Chartered Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor in Bath. She graduated with her BSc in Physiotherapy in 1998 and has since worked at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals; as senior physio at the Westminster Primary Care Trust in London and then 7 years in private practice. During that time she set up an Acute Care Department in A+E at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and a Low Back Pain Specialist Clinic. She then moved back to her home city of Bath and worked with Orthopaedic Surgeons in a private hospital and initiated a physiotherapy service through a chain of Chiropractic Clinics and a satellite clinic at a fitness gym. Sacha is used to working with Consultants, Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, GPs, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Nutritionists and Sports Therapists and is continually developing her practice. She qualified in Pilates in 2007 in matwork, ante and post natal tuition and class instruction with the Australian Institute of Physiotherapy and Pilates and incorporates Pilates in rehabilitation programmes as well classes. She is also interested in nutritional therapy to assist and support clients and aid recovery. She believes firmly in the role of fitness and nutrition in our health and lifestyle and works to promote understanding and benefits. Sacha has always enjoyed sport and exercise and has a long history in competitive athletics. She competes in the Summer Touch Rugby League in Bath, trains with weights in the gym, runs and plays tennis.

CopyrightLaura de la Harpe
BA, DipION, BANT, FdSc, NTC, CNHC Registered Practitioner

Laura has a busy practice in nutrition therapy in Reading. She is resident nutrition therapist for BBC Radio Berkshire and publishes articles in a number of magazines and newspapers. She has extensive experience in working with people on improving health. This may be working alongside GPs treating many medical conditions and advising on fitness and lifestyle - explaining nutrition science and how the body works. Laura trained for four years and qualified at the renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London, accredited by the University of Bedfordshire. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Before training to be a nutritionist Laura did her BA in French, Spanish and Business Studies and worked for 15 years in the IT corporate sector in various, demanding and high-paced management roles. Laura is married and a mum of three and has used nutrition to help her own children’s asthma, eczema and childhood illnesses. Her current programmes include employee wellbeing, executive health and nutrition 'MOTs', stress management, long term support and rehabilitation, workplace restaurant review, sports nutrition for rugby players, female health and nutrition, and the importance of digestive health.

CopyrightRenate Larkin
BSc(Hons), DipION, FdSc, BANT

Renate has always worked in some capacity with people and their welfare and now runs her own practice in Bristol, London and Gloucestershire consulting in Nutrition and teaching Pilates. This offers the fundamentals of helping individuals and companies look after their own health. It is a powerful combination of physiology working on the inside and physical exercise on strength, tone, prevention and correction of injury, improved energy levels and anti-stress - all supporting each other. She qualified as a Nutritional Therapist in 2006, at the internationally renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London, and as a fully certified Level 3 Matwork Pilates Teacher in Body Control Pilates®. She previously worked in business for 16 years, in senior recruitment positions, training, marketing and IT, again looking after clients and teams. Before that she was an army Captain on active service and looking after the welfare and careers of soldiers and officers. Renate is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy, regulated by the Nutritional Therapy Council and adheres strictly to their code of ethics and practice. She is passionate about eating locally sourced food where possible and getting to know our seasonal food calendar again. Renate lives in Bristol and fits in exercise as much as possible, having discovered a number of years ago that Pilates is fabulous for mind, body and spirit and enjoys to run on the downs with her black Labrador, who is sadly much faster!

CopyrightVanessa Francesconi
BA(Hons), Dip ION, FdSc, BANT, NTC, CNHC

Vanessa runs a busy nutrition practice consulting on personal and family health, sports performance, general health topics, stress and obesity. She believes in practical, supportive, realistic solutions for people to understand health, food and fitness and eating plans to help manage home, work and time. She frequently advises on everyday conditions of headaches, low energy, digestive disorders, colds and infections, adult and child food intolerances. Before qualifying in nutrition Vanessa worked initially in management in retail banking and subsequently for many years in international investment banking to Vice President and Associate Director level in the City - in high pressure, fast-moving, target-driven business environments. She has a thorough understanding of busy lives, energy levels, stress and the demands of work and family life. Vanessa qualified at the highly renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition accredited by the University of Bedfordshire, is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy, the Complementary and National Healthcare Council and the Nutritional Therapy Council and adheres strictly to their codes of ethics and practice. She is married and lives in Maidenhead with her two children.

CopyrightMatthew Reay
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), PGCTL, NTCC, BANT

Matthew runs his nutrition and health coach practice in London/Royal Greenwich, the Midlands and Cardiff. He trained and qualified at the University of Worcester where he still continues with further study and research. He advises clients on all aspects of health including weight management, fitness, allergies, fatigue, stress management, pre and post pregnancy and lifestyle. He practices to create individual and personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes whilst promoting the benefits of self help and community groups to assist in better health awareness and understanding. Matthew's commitment and determination is to provide suitable, tailored help and solutions for individual clients, community groups and local businesses incorporating food, catering, advice and activities. Matthew previously trained and qualified as a lawyer, worked for many years within the NHS including work as part of a surgical team and spent time in Australia in the healthcare business and charities. His move into nutrition, health and lifestyle support was to develop the opportunity to help others in simple, practical ways to thrive in good health. Matthew is a registered member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. A committed family man from the Midlands, he loves being in the outdoors any time of the year hiking and surfing and enjoying the healthy benefits this brings, plus yoga and the gym.

CopyrightPhilippa Parish
BSc, Dip ION, BANT, NTC, CNHC

Philippa runs her nutrition practice in clinics in Bristol, Bath, Portishead and Keynsham. She is also nutritionist at Clover House near Bath, a clinic that specialises in treating children aged 3-20 years. She is Theory Leader for the MEND Programme delivered by Bristol City Council to support and help obese children and their families. Philippa studied her degree in Food Science at Reading University and worked in research and development in the food industry for 15 years. In 2005 she qualified again in Nutrition at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition. She is a member of the Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC), Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Philippa is married with 2 teenage daughters and lives near Bristol. Her hobbies include playing badminton and hockey, jogging, snow-boarding, walking, swimming and cycling.

CopyrightMorna Murphy
BSc, Dip ION, FdSc, BANT, CNHC, NTC, BSHG, ACC

Morna gained her BSc in Biological Sciences from Edinburgh University and worked in the Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology fields in both the NHS and the private sector for many years. She has always had a keen interest in health and nutrition and studied a further 3 year Foundation Degree in Nutritional Therapy at the renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition (ION) in London. She has now run her successful practice for many years consulting on health and fitness and treating many conditions including energy levels, blood sugar balance, digestion problems, hormones, skin and stress. Morna likes to include advice on how the body and the systems of the body work together and affect each another - how the digestive system can affect the hormone system, the cardio-vascular system and the nervous system. Morna is a registered member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. She also works as the Nutritionist at The Haven in Leeds, the leading breast cancer charity. Several of Morna's academic papers were published. Morna is married with two grown up children and lives in Harrogate. She enjoys creative cooking and her interests include hiking in the Yorkshire Dales and Switzerland, gardening and yoga.

CopyrightSue Gilbert
Full Certification STOTT PILATES levels 1 and 2, Anatomy and Physiology Level 3, post rehabilitation athletic training

Sue has been a full-time professional in the health and fitness industry since 1990. She runs her own practice and classes and has worked with many prestigious health clubs and venues: David Lloyd in London and Bristol, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Cadbury House (Hilton) and Holmes Place. She has many qualifications in pilates, health, fitness, training, yoga, exercise and dance. Her broad knowledge in fitness, anatomy, physiology and bodywork treatments enables Sue to tailor sessions to suit the clients' needs making sessions dynamic, intuitive and rewarding. Sue has been involved in fitness and training since school, joining every team possible including county athletics and winning a pentathlon age 12 against all school years and both sexes. She also studied dance and choreography. Sue is popular, informative and motivational in corporate work. In private practice she changed her work to focus on Pilates, in 2005 - the extraordinary story is on her web site. Sue has a family and lives in North Somerset.

CopyrightJudy Watson
BSc(Hons), DipION, BANT, NTCC, CNHC

Judy is a popular nutrition consultant running her own practices in Stevenage, Hitchin and London. She has a BSc in Nutrition and Food sciences and went on to study her Diploma at the renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition. Her interest in health and food was from a very early age, Judy grew up on a farm and appreciated the importance and value of good food and food production. Judy works with clients assessing symptoms and causes to work on successful, long term solutions for many conditions, including weight management, low energy, headaches, food intolerances, stress, digestive disorders, conception, maternity, sleep, sports and performance. Judy has also been involved in many media projects, supporting high profile charity campaigns and organising health events. She has written columns and articles for many publications, including: Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Now, Men's Health, She, Woman and Home and Woman's Own. She has been resident nutritionist for Champneys, Henlow for 8 years and works with chefs to make sure that healthy food is provided and presented at good nutritional value. Judy is a registered member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Previously Judy worked in hotel, catering and business for many years. She lives in Hitchin and enjoys walking, local and national theatre events and eating good food!

CopyrightJoanna Oates
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), PGCTL, NTCC, BANT, CNHC

Jo runs her nutrition practice in various medical and health clinics throughout London. She successfully uses nutrition to treat and support a variety of health conditions, including: stress, fatigue, weight-management, digestive problems, hormone disorders and allergies. She is convinced that good nutrition is the backbone of health and excellent results can be achieved by eating the right diet. She also promotes the importance of the role of food for pleasure in our personal, family and social lives. Having travelled widely, Jo loves trying foods and recipes from other countries and cultures, as well as traditional British food. As a working mother, she is familiar with the pressures of modern life. Her aim is to provide realistic, practical healthy eating advice to suit individual lifestyles and budgets, available for everyone. Jo has a BSc(Hons) in Nutritional Therapy and Health Sciences and is a registered member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. She works independently and with GPs as a member of integrated health teams. Previously, Jo was a teacher, lecturer and student counsellor in the UK and overseas. She currently teaches nutrition and trains at university level. She works with corporate clients, delivering workshops and one-to-one consultations. She loves conducting research and writing about nutrition and has created a number of distance learning study modules for undergraduate courses. Jo is married and has a son and daughter and lives in West London. She enjoys travel, swimming and yoga.

CopyrightTracy Land
MA, BEd, DipION FdSc, BANT, NTC, CNHC Registered Practitioner

Tracy runs nutrition practices in York, privately and at two clinics. Her work includes many cases on digestive and gut problems, immune system disorders, hormone problems, mental health problems and food allergies, as well as many other conditions. She originally trained as a teacher and then following her masters degree from Nottingham University moved to a 20 year career in health service management, research and consultancy. She had always had a strong, personal interest in the power of food in health and trained and qualified in nutrition at the renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutrition Therapy and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Tracy also does a lot of work on reducing the negative effects of stress which contribute to ill health. Tracy lives in York with her husband and 7 year old daughter and retired greyhound. Her hobbies are all things to do with dogs - especially greyhounds, running, yoga and food.

CopyrightClare Jones
BA(Hons), DipION, BANT, NTC, CNHC Registered Practitioner

Clare practices in nutrition working privately and in busy, popular health centres in Manchester, Chorlton and Cheshire. She works with clients to produce individually, tailored programmes including dietary changes and lifestyle advice. She is particularly interested in allergies, asthma, eczema, pe-conceptual care, digestive disorders, hormonal health and the effects of what we eat and drink on our moods and emotions - but works with many other conditions as well. After many years in the IT industry Clare trained for 3 years at the renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition graduating with distinction. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Clare also tutors and lectures at 2 colleges and Manchester University and writes for an on-line magazine.

CopyrightRita Carmichael
BA(Hons), PGCE, DipION, FdSc, BANT, NTC, CNHC Registered Practitioner

Rita runs a busy nutrition practice privately and in 2 clinics in Nottingham - with clients from Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. She has experience of very varied cases, including digestive problems, headaches and migraines, poor sleep, lack of energy, chronic fatigue and ME and weight management and many more. She is passionate about people achieving good health, feeling good and minimising susceptibility to disease and chronic conditions. She started her career teaching French and German and then moved into demanding roles in IT and sales and management - holding senior positions in specialist IT companies with very large, busy, corporate clients. In 2002 she re-trained and qualified in nutrition with a diploma and foundation degree with the renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutrition Therapy, the Nutritional Therapy Council and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Rita writes on healthy eating and recipes with a particular interest in gluten-free cookery. She lives in Nottingham with her husband and enjoys growing herbs and salads. She has recently discovered Pilates and takes every opportunity to escape to the coast for long walks.

CopyrightFern Maybee
BSc(Hons), PGCE, Dip ION, BANT

Fern has her own practice and works as a nutritional therapist at a busy clinic in Clifton, Bristol. She sees a diversity of clients, either wanting to treat specific health problems or wanting to improve general health and vitality. She devises individually tailored nutritional programmes, supported by menu ideas, information and explanations, recipes and lifestyle change recommendations. She also runs a healthy eating and weight loss group. Alongside her clinical work, Fern provides advice to companies on how to promote health and wellbeing, particularly through nutrition. This includes giving group talks, participating in health awareness schemes and advising on a one-to-one basis. She is also a writer for a health and nutrition website on various topics such as weight loss, pregnancy and nutrition support during chronic illness. Fern qualified as a Nutritional Therapist at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 1996 accredited by the University of Bedfordshire. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and the Nutritional Therapy Council and abides by their strict codes of ethics and practice. Before training to be a nutritionist, Fern worked as a project manager in public and private sector organisations, on education, health and environment - developing and producing new work for internal and external customers and bid negotiation. Her original degree was in Biological Science from Bristol University, where she also obtained a post graduate certificate in secondary science education. She is married and lives in Bristol with her husband and little boy.