Meet the team!
We've got an incredible admin team who are here to answer your questions, help you book or just have to chat with to help you decide on the right course for you.
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We also have an extraordinary team of tutors, both in-house and external who know their subjects inside out. Here at GCDA we pride ourselves on delivering accessible, informative and relevant training, and these are the people who will do just that!
Mel Taylor
Head of Learning
​I've been a trainer with GCDA for 15 years and now manage the Adult Learning contract. I oversee the design and development of the training, and am also responsible for the quality of the sessions through regular tutor observations and skills training sessions.
If you have any questions at all, I'd be happy to try to answer them! Email me on mel@gcda.org.uk
Georgia Hunt
Head of Training Administration
I have been with GCDA for over 2 years, and work on administration and compliance. My role is to help you get onto the right course and support you on your learning journey.
I'm here to answer any questions, so just drop me a line - georgia@gcda.org.uk
I'm looking forward to welcoming you to one of our courses soon!
Andrea Goba
Administrative Support
I am Andrea Goba, part of the administration team at GCDA. We take enormous pride in providing outstanding support and service to all our clients.
My role includes providing great customer service to all our learners and ensuring the admin is all up to date
For more information please email me: andreag@gcda.org.uk
Esme Carpenter
Admin Support
I joined GCDA in 2011, and have worked in the adult learning team for the last 3. With firsthand experience from attending several business courses myself, I bring an excellent understanding of learners' needs, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for both students and instructors alike.
I currently work on ‘Cooking’ and ‘Business’ courses and am always happy to help with any enquiries, or recommendations for your next step.
Brian Emmons
Chef Trainer
Brian is a professional chef trainer, and has a broad and rich history of cheffing around the world, covering high-end restaurants and hotels, hospital catering, and running his own pubs. He was also a lecturer for a hotel and catering training. He has worked with GCDA for 11 years as a cookery club tutor and chef trainer training thousands of happy people!
Titilope Durojaiye
Sewing Tutor & Chef Trainer Support
I'm Titilope and have 2 roles in the adult learning team. I am Brian, the chef trainer's support assistant so you'll see me at the cooking classes, but I'm also a dress maker and run All Sewn Up and the One Day Introduction to Sewing. I've been sewing and dress making for many years and also run my own dress making business and love passing on the skills and knowledge I've learnt.
Gary Mack
Social Media &
Website Design
Gary joined GCDA in 2015 and is now our community development and communications lead. His experience in retail, large and small, means he understands first hand how to successfully use promotion for business success. Gary brings this expertise coupled with a lively and interactive approach to his training.
Claire Pritchard
C.E.O
Business Start-up & Financial ManagementÂ
Claire is GCDA's CEO, a Borough Market Trustee and the Chair of the London Food Board. She brings over 2 decades of experience in food, health and business support to her dynamic, up to the minute training.
​Claire trains many of our courses from business and food business start-up, market research and financial management.
Coral Turner
Coral is a self-taught couture designer-maker, with a love affair with fabrics, pattern-making and fashion. Her company Coral Turner Couture specialises in bespoke women’s wear alongside her collection of couture ready-to-wear garments. A desire to share her passion for couture sewing techniques a skill-set now resurfacing, Coral feels it is important that the fine art of sewing be placed back in the forefront of Arts and Crafts.
Sewing Tutor
Joanna Clinton
Joanna joined GCDA in 2022 after teaching for many years at City Lit and other Adult Learning Colleges. She gained her PGCE in Lifelong Learning and initially trained as an Illustrator at Camberwell School of Art. With her background in art, she loves teaching both adults and children to be creative, learn new skills and improve their mental health.
​Mary Jane Baxter
PR & Sewing Tutor
Mary Jane Baxter is a former BBC journalist and the author of three books all about sewing. Her passion for creativity led her to train as a professional milliner and she taught hat making at The Kensington and Chelsea College for two years. Mary Jane has a post-graduate teaching qualification and teaches Sewing and PR courses
Amanda Easto
Bio to come
Nutrition Specialist
Livia La Camera
Livia La Camera
Livia, is a registered pediatric dietician, has worked in public health, and is currently working in community health development. Livia develops and delivers training in infant feeding and nutrition and product labelling for small businesses.
Livia’s hands-on, informative and fun approach supports learning in a relaxed and accessible way.
Sheila Louis
Bio to come
Kevin Godby
Gardening Courses
Kevin has been with GCDA for over 12 years, running our garden sites and giving advice to schools, local groups, and interested individuals. He has worked with people of all ages from pre-school to senior citizens.
His sessions are lively and interactive, coupling a light-hearted approach with a sound knowledge of plants and the natural world."
Romina Hy
Bio to come