About Us

Peter Cooksley (Managing Director)

Peter is one of the initial founders of Top Banana Training which started trading in March 2000. He began his career in sales in the early 80's running his own business in the retail sector. In early 87, the opportunity arose to become a sales manager for a large British manufacturer. During his 9 years as a sales manager he was top sales person on 2 occasions and finished in the top 5 every year out of a group of 40 sales people.

In 1997, Peter took the role of sales training manager and created a new department for an American owned company. His responsibilities included all UK and European staff sales. His initial training was with the American Management Association based in Chicago.

He has done keynote talks as well as designing and delivering training around the world in places as varied as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, USA as well as many European countries. He is a board member of the Sales Training Association along with the Professional Speakers Association. Other memberships include the Institute of Directors, Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, Training Consortium, Institute of Professional Sales and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He was a 2001 finalist in the National Sales Awards, Sales Trainer of the Year Award. Peter is also a licensed personality and team profiler (psychometric testing).

His interests include his partner, 2 sons, golf and bluegrass banjo. Peter has also toured on the comedy circuit doing stand up, and occasional television. He is still heavily involved in theatre using his talents to direct as well as act in many different varieties of stage productions.

Peter McGowan B.Ed MA

Before joining Top Banana Training, Peter had a diverse career. After 5 years with the US company, 3M, Peter went to Durham University to take a degree in teaching. He graduated in 1978 as a teacher of English and within 5 years became the Head of an independent secondary school. Whilst in this role he obtained a Master’s degree in Victorian Studies. He moved to a second independent school 4 years later.

He left teaching in 1992 when he and his family moved to Wales. He joined the large, Swedish executive recruitment and development company, Mercuri Urval. He started in their London office and then, in 1995, set up Mercuri Urval’s 5th UK office in Bristol. He recruited and managed a team of 5 consultants and formed part of the UK management team.

He has worked for clients from a wide variety of sectors and across Europe. As well as carrying out numerous senior level recruitment and selection exercises, he has worked at Board level to bring about improvements in business performance through behavioural change and has considerable experience of coaching senior individuals and of developing teams in both public and private sector organisations.

He is a self-confessed pedant regarding the correct use of written English and has, sadly, been known to rub out offending inappropriate apostrophes from signs. For the past 5 years, he has also been a School Governor of a local comprehensive school.

Rebecca Mansfield-Fellowes

Rebecca Mansfield Fellowes is the Principal solicitor in Mansfield Fellowes Solicitors. She has been advising clients on all of the areas described below, for nearly 10 years. She was recognised in the Legal 500 and described as being “Intuitive and quick yet detailed and thorough”.

Having begun her career in Eversheds, Rebecca spent 15 months in the corporate department of Halliwell Landau in Manchester. Rebecca joined Capital Law in Cardiff in January 2000. She became a salaried partner in September 2002, having been fast-tracked to partnership on account of her ability. In November 2004 Rebecca accepted a further promotion to become a fixed share equity partner. Rebecca left to set up Mansfield Fellowes Solicitors in June 2006.

Rebecca is part of the team which runs the Executive Director Development programmes; bring all her expertise to add real value to all delegates.

Robbie Burns

Robbie has a great ability to ensure all participants are involved and enjoying themselves, he has been involved in organising and event managing prestigious events for over 25 years. He has a wealth of experience creating high quality and unique occasions for numerous Blue Chip clients.