Who We Are

Principal Consultant – David Hughes MEd, BSc, CPhys, MInstP.

Most of the training consultancy and delivery is undertaken personally by David Hughes, an experienced management trainer, consultant and team leader with over 35 years experience in helping people and organisations to realise their potential.

David was with the Bank of Scotland for 5 years as Director of Management Training, leaving in July 1999 to set up Torch Training Associates in Oxfordshire. During that time he was a member of the HR Division Management Group working on such initiatives as the development of a HR Scorecard, the introduction of a managerial competency framework and the rollout of a Management Development Programme for high-potential managers. As the Director responsible for all management training activities in an organisation with 16,000 staff, David and his team of management trainers worked closely with Divisional Executives to tailor courses and programmes to meet their specific needs. In several instances the team supported culture change initiatives by providing linked courses in leadership, teamworking, communication, quality and coaching. David’s role developed to encompass training delivery, internal consultancy and strategic planning facilitation.

Prior to working in the financial services industry, David was the Group Training Manager for 2 years with The Miller Group Ltd, one of the largest privately owned construction companies in the UK. Apart from designing and delivering courses to staff at all levels, he acted as HR consultant to Managing Directors, Directors and Senior Managers. This led to the design and delivery of a Management Development Programme for junior, middle and senior managers throughout the Group in support of the Board’s desire to re-shape the corporate culture to one incorporating a more participative management style.

David acquired much of his knowledge and practical experience in the areas of leadership, teambuilding and personal development whilst in the Education and Training Branch of the Army, an organisation he left in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. One of the many and varied appointments held involved the delivery of the professional elements of management, teaching methods and in-service training courses for all Instructor Officers in the Army. Others were linked to the recruitment, training and career development of graduates entering the Forces.