Dr Peter Hawkins leads a satisfying portfolio career. With his family at the heart of his life, he creatively blends his own working, learning, playing and giving.

An international expert on career and life management and co-founder of Windmills Ltd, Peter has developed a pioneering range of programmes which enable young people and adults to realise their full potential. He constantly puts his own ideas into practice through extensive charity work and for 25 years has helped empower people with special needs as leader and trustee for the Thursday Club.

Helen Wakefield as a co-founder of Windmills is passionate about the difference the portfolio can make and enjoys encouraging individuals and organizations to use it in their lives. She is particularly involved with the various Champions Windmills works with. Helen practises what she preaches by striving to create a blend of what's important in her life and keeping her family at the heart of it. She acknowledges her personal good fortune by working as a volunteer for Childline.

Lizz Plumtree is a Learning and Development professional who enjoys helping people from a wide range of organisations through periods of transition and change. Having previously run her own consultancy company, she appreciates the variety of work Windmills offers. Lizz emphasises the priority she places on her family by describing herself as 'a mum who works'. In between coaching contracts, Lizz loves to escape with her family for holidays in their caravan.

Sharon Nicholson still gets a real buzz from encouraging others to think positively and confidently about their future after 20 years as a learning and development professional. Her extensive work with adults has convinced her of the need to give young people the tools to benefit from the Windmills approach. Sharon has two children and is working hard on a personal goal - to play the bagpipes well enough for competition and public performances.

Sally Beyer describes herself as a 'pragmatic and down-to-earth' Learning and Development consultant.

Her 15 years experience in career and life management equips her to support organisations and individuals all over the UK in making informed choices about work and life issues. A busy mum and active member of her local church, Sally loves putting people at the core of everything that she does.

Helen Hawkins is particularly enthusiastic about Windmills delivery and development work as a result of her 20 years experience working in people development at Liverpool NHS, Boots Healthcare services and leading a SME. As a qualified careers advisor, Helen is passionate about inspiring young people and has pioneered a novel primary school programme based on the work Windmills has developed using STAR to engage parents as head teachers of their child's curriculum.

Gill has more than 15 years experience of creating and implementing business development and commercial strategies for small to medium sized businesses. Her primary focus is high-growth businesses and her vertical-market expertise is high-tech.

Gill works in a non-exec role with four companies on a regular basis and with others on a project basis. Gill also works with the North West Business Leadership Team on projects that relate to SME interests in the region.