Alex is the founder of Flying Start XP, helping young people build the confidence, skills, and self-awareness they need to step into work and thrive. A former teacher with a career spanning education, sport, events, media, technology, and entrepreneurship, Alex brings real-world insight into what employers are looking for and what helps young people succeed.

She has delivered programmes and workshops for global brands including TfL, Sky, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, Lego, AXA, and GSK, and is an International Best-Selling Author in resilience and leadership. Her background in both business and coaching means she understands the pressures young people face—and how to help them navigate their next steps with clarity and confidence.

Alex’s mission is simple: help young people discover their strengths, grow their confidence, and build a future that feels right for them.

Outside of Flying Start XP Alex has also played for GB and coached international sports teams.

Charlie is a leading business facilitator and programme development consultant who has worked across most business sectors. She was the first female winner of the Queen’s Medal at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Charlie has facilitated at all corporate levels, from boardroom to new employees and has experience nationally and internationally in public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Clients include The United Nations, EDF, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, GSK, RBS, GE and The British Red Cross.

James has been consulting in employee engagement and change management for FTSE 350 companies for 20 years. He has led a team that created award-winning experiential techniques accelerating learning and sustainable behaviour change. He brings experience from many different perspectives including serving as an officer in the Scots Guards and driving a food convoy into Bosnia, as well as fund-raising by rowing across the Atlantic as part of an eight-man team.

He believes that the first step into business is one of the biggest that we take. It should be exciting and inspiring and, like all adventures, you need to be properly equipped. James and his team have created Flying Start XP to achieve this and are determined to accelerate the career of each person on every course.