Meet the Team

For over 30 years Dave has had an active interest in all aspects of sports coaching and personal training. Dave began working with special populations early in his career through his involvement with GP Referral schemes in London. He has also continually studied, be it for professional, vocational or academic qualifications. Dave holds a BSc in Psychology from Goldsmiths, a PGCE from Greenwich University, an MSc in Sports Coaching from Brunel University, an MA (Ed) from the Open University, to name just a few.

In 2000, Dave started lecturing in sports and fitness for various FE colleges and Universities from entry level vocational qualifications to degree programmes. Whilst teaching in central London, he worked extensively with disabled groups delivering sessions in exercise and physical activity.

Dave co-founded AMAC which continues to develop professional fitness qualifications. As well as his role as Education and Training Director at Amac, Dave has worked in numerous capacities with leading awarding bodies. As an external verifier and moderator he was responsible for ensuring centres’ assessment and internal verification met the National Standards. He was also commissioned by one awarding body to produce tutor packs for their qualifications.

Recently, Dave joined Open University’s production team to write material for a module on their sports and fitness degree, focusing on special populations such as those with cardio-pulmonary diseases. He also reviewed course material on older adults, diabetes, and anatomy and physiology.

Dave continues to develop courses for AMAC’s AllActive range ensuring that they meet the high standards set by sector skills councils and awarding bodies. He is involved with every aspect of course provision from implementing, monitoring and reviewing strategy to producing learning resources and internal quality assurance. He is currently researching vocational pedagogy and metacognition as part of a Doctorate. He is a fellow of the Society for Education and Training and a member of the Institute for Health Promotion and Education.

Sarah Bolitho has had a long career in the fitness industry starting as a fitness coach over 25 years ago. She has since been a Course Director for a national fitness training provider and holds an MSc Postgraduate Diploma in Exercise and Health Behaviour. Sarah continues to develop resources and training programmes for specialist fitness instructors alongside writing books for the fitness industry. She regularly trains medical professionals, midwives and fitness instructors. Sarah specialisms include exercise referral, mental health, obesity, ante post-natal, older adults and activity, disability fitness, and behaviour change. She has developed and delivered training and cascade training for peer-led activity for older adults (LIFT programme) for Welsh Assembly Government/Age Concern Cymru.

Andrea Olver has worked for Amac for over 10 years as an assessor, programme manager and more recently as their operations manager. Prior to that, Andrea worked as a physiotherapy technician for the NHS and has also run her own fitness and sports massage business, running after school activity sessions for primary school children and at a local football club providing injury rehabilitation advice. Alongside her work at Amac, she works for the NHS as an obesity and weight management specialist.

Sarah graduated from London South Bank University in 2006 with a First class Honours degree in Physiotherapy and she has worked at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) in London, Buckinghamshire NHS hospitals and The Peace Hospice in Watford. She has worked in all areas of physiotherapy and has extensive knowledge and experience of working with older people, orthopaedics and rehabilitation.

Sarah participates in regular training in order to optimise her skills and keep abreast of current evidence and research. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Oncology and Palliative Care. Sarah also has specialist training in Sports Massage and have been practicing this since 2002.

 

Trevor has considerable teaching experience of 30 years as a Tutor and Assessor delivering fitness professional qualifications. He has taught wide range of subjects including personal training, older adult instructor, disability instructor and circuit training. Trevor also been involved in the delivery of the Instructability program which teaches disabled students to obtain a gym instructor qualifications.

James has over 10 years teaching experience and an additional 6 years experience working in the fitness sector. He has worked at all levels, from gym instructor, personal trainer and exercise referral instructor through to cardiac rehab and managing a facility. James teaches the on the level 2 and 3 personal training courses.

 

 

Francesca has taught at Amac for over 10 years on wide-ranging courses and programmes with both young people and adults. Her background is in coaching sports and fitness instructing children in primary schools. Francesca is very experienced in group exercise classes and along with other courses, she teaches the Profusion range.

 

 

Lucy has over 12 years experience in teaching and assessing and has much industry experience. She also has a wealth of experience in the business-side of fitness with sales and marketing. Lucy has a degree and masters in sports and exercise science along with a host of other industry specific training. She teaches a variety of programmes including PT and Ante/Post Natal courses.

Nicola has worked within the Active Leisure industry for many years, working in a range of roles. She has a wealth of experience in quality assurance across a range of qualifications in the fitness industry.

Roger has over 10 years of teaching experience and a further 12 years of industry experience. Over the years, he has delivered at a number of fitness conventions, taught group exercise classes and worked as a studio manager. Roger has taught a wide range of level 2 and 3 courses along with many CPD courses.