Here at Laughology, we constantly strive to improve. This means being diverse in the way we work, think and act. In order to meet our commitment to diversity, we are proud to introduce a newly-recruited rebel boardroom; a group of people who will help us think differently and who will be involved in strategic decisions within the company. 

The rebel boardroom will meet once a quarter with our team to discuss our plans and how we stay current, stay diverse and improve our offering. 

We value their experience and passion to make a difference. Say hello to Yara, Chris, Shelley and Saanwal.  

Chris is a 30-something year old originally from West Yorkshire, who is now living and working in Munich, Germany as the Head of Recruitment for a group of British International Schools.

Prior to moving to Germany, Chris spent 10 years working for First Direct Bank, which is where he first had the pleasure of attending a number of Laughology workshops - lucky guy! Having followed Laughology via social media ever since, he’s really excited to finally be involved.

Chris has lived in Germany since 2017. Moving to a country where he doesn’t fluently speak the language has certainly proved a challenge - he soon came to realise that he’s far from a natural linguist. That’s easy for him to say...

He would describe myself as a lifelong learner and prides himself on always having something happening alongside his day job, whether this is enhancing his German language skills or learning how to play the piano.

Chris has a Siberian husky called Dillon and a partner called Malcolm, whom he was due to marry last December. However, COVID-19 had other ideas. Planning and then re-planning a wedding throughout a pandemic has possibly been one of Chris’ biggest life challenges so far.

His lifelong dream is to design and build his own house alongside opening a pet hotel to keep him busy once he retires.

At least now we’ll have somewhere to send Barry when Stephanie is off on her holibobs.

1. Who or what makes you laugh until it hurts? 
Sarah Millican never fails to cheer me up. As a fellow northerner and a lover of cake, I think we’d get along smashingly if we ever met!

2. What would your superpower be?
Teleportation. I do love travelling but you just lose so much time getting there.


3. What is the nicest thing anyone ever said to you?
I’m really proud of you

4. What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
I split my jeans open all the way from front to back whilst performing an enthusiastic dance move at a friend’s 30th birthday party, which to my horror another friend happened to catch on camera.

5. What’s your mantra? 
If you don’t try, you’ll never know

Shelley started her career as a professional artist. From her creative beginnings, she moved into the residential property management sector, alongside her brother, growing a successful and award-winning property management company. 

Shelley’s desire to help her employees to be engaged and motivated led her to go back to University and retrain to become a Business Psychologist. 

Her extensive and varied experience is put to good use through delivering leadership and resilience training to the residential property management sector, as well as adapting great working practices within her own Property Management business.   

Shelley is passionate about helping people to work at their personal natural best, developing confidence in the workplace and advising companies on great people practices.

And occasionally she can still be spotted painting, although these days it tends to be with a roller and emulsion!

1. Who or what makes you laugh until it hurts? 
My cat when she’s chasing her tail.

2. What would your superpower be?
To click my fingers and my house will magically clean and tidy itself.

3. What is the nicest thing anyone ever said to you?
That I was very inspiring.      

4. What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
I went to a friend’s wedding in Latvia where I was one of only a few English speakers and I only knew the bride and groom. I was ‘encouraged’ to participate in a game which involved a few women bedecked in their wedding garb, sitting on foot pumps (the ones that look like half a football) with a balloon attached to the end and inflating the balloon by bouncing up and down. Regrettably, I was wearing a short and low-cut dress which brought a whole new meaning to the term ‘Asset Management’! It wasn’t my finest moment! 

5. What’s your mantra? 
What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Steph used to be an elite gymnast, cartwheeling her way into the regional team. She still coaches gymnastics now – although thankfully not in a leotard.

Steph started out as a primary school teacher, reaching the dizzy heights of deputy headship, before turning her hand to writing. In fact, she wasn’t just anyone’s deputy. She was Laughologist, and former headteacher, Sarah Creegan’s deputy. Quite the dream team! While in her leadership role at school, Steph was lucky enough to experience a Laughology session first-hand and she loved every minute.

Fast forward a few years and Steph found herself part of the Laughology team, joining as social media manager and content writer. She also contributed towards the lessons and resources for our Happy-Centred School Programme.

Steph is also a published writer, regularly contributing to Teach Primary Magazine. She’s the author of three books for newly qualified teachers, helping them successfully navigate their first year in the classroom. She has also ghost-written two books on personal development for an Australian publisher. Steph is currently writing her first children’s book, under the watchful eye of Branford-Boase Award-winning editor, Imogen Cooper at the Golden Egg Academy.

In 2019, Steph qualified as a personal performance coach and, when not writing witty content for Laughology, she coaches teachers at Strive Coaching and Development, to help improve their work/life balance or support those looking for career change.

Eating is Laura’s first love, but baking comes a close second. Not only does she enjoy the process, but she can rest easy in the knowledge that, if all else fails, there will always be cake.

During a quiet patch in her career, Laura made a bit of money on the side baking carrot cakes, brownies and French toast cupcakes (yes, they are a thing) for her local pub.

Laura began her professional career as a performer and trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Her passion lay in theatre; particularly Shakespeare, comedy and farce. She always felt she had great comic... wait for it... timing!

She started delivering communication skills programmes as a ‘side-line’ but rapidly became interested in the psychology behind the work, and trained as a coach. She became passionate about helping others believe in themselves and achieve their goals. Laura is determined to help as many people as possible experience what positive psychology can do for them.

Over the past eleven years, Laura has created, delivered and facilitated various training programmes at all levels within the public and private sectors. Some of her more recent clients include; EE, SSP, the CIPD, the Civil Service, Global and Exterion Media. She specialises in communication, impact, influence, coaching and leadership.

Laura has also worked in education with the English Pocket Opera Company; devising opera workshops for children from ages 3 to 11. She has delivered physical education sessions based on mathematics for Key Stage 1 and facilitated programmes to raise financial awareness for teenagers.
Described by her husband as vertically challenged (or just small), Laura is as spirited and determined as she is short. She is also warm, intuitive and has the ability to create an instant rapport with those she works with, using humour to help them push boundaries and go outside their comfort zones.

Laura Drury presents Flip-It to the EPAA Summit in Fitzrovia. Flip-It is Laughology's unique learning and development model.  It uses wellbeing and humour as a thinking tool, to enhance thinking skills and improve decision-making processes.

Laughology Life Hacks: Understanding and Managing Stress with Laura Drury from Laughology L&D on Vimeo.