Arden Matheson Training Solutions
At Arden Matheson, we specialise in creating and delivering tailored learning solutions to support small to large businesses grow, retain, inspire and build their individuals and teams. We believe that better people make better business.
At the heart of Arden Matheson, is the capability to transfer learning to application in the workplace. Our promise is to listen to you and create unique training solutions to your business needs. We develop learning interventions that create a positive impact and enable your business to deliver, grow and sustain performance.
We are passionate about what we do and we take pride in our service and delivery. Whether it is a one off training course, a coaching module, individual mentoring or a continuous development programme, we are committed to meet your needs and objectives.
We are proud to have achieved our 10 year anniversary and we feel very privileged to work with some wonderful Clients across different sectors from SMEs to global corporate organisations.
Our founder, Holly Arden:
With 15 years in learning and development and 10 years running Arden Matheson Training Solutions, Holly’s experience includes developing individual, group and company learning solutions from modular training to longer-term programmes.
From managing an L&D team at a Global Recruiter to building her business at Arden Matheson, Holly works with drive, energy and enthusiasm to create the best solutions for her Clients. Holly aims to create solutions that engage, excite and evolve individuals and teams to be the best that they can be.
Holly’s previous experience as a successful Sales Consultant and Manager within the Recruitment sector, together with her learning and development expertise in a global brand creates an impactful approach. Holly’s enthusiasm, energy and commitment create a driven environment to learn, engage and succeed. Holly has created bespoke sales development programmes resulting in significant growth in net profitable income to business streams.
Katie Taberner, Learning and Development Manager:
In addition to her background in Education and L&D, Katie brings a breadth of knowledge and experience within Customer Service, Sales and Finance. As a ‘people-person’, Katie thrives on building relationships and puts the needs of her colleagues and clients at the heart of what she does.
She finds it extremely rewarding to help and support others to reach their potential. She is always seeking to increase and improve her own knowledge and skills and looking for fresh and innovative ways of delivering engaging course material and resources.
Outside of work, Katie relishes in family time. Being a real ‘foodie’, she enjoys cooking and baking with and for her family and friends. Katie has a sporty streak, and enjoys attending regular classes at her local gym, where she has recently discovered her love for Yoga!
Sarah Hall, Senior Learning and Development Consultant:
Driven by a desire to make a difference, Sarah is a passionate advocate for learning and development who brings dedication, energy and enthusiasm for supporting and guiding people to be the best they can be to Arden Matheson.
Sarah draws on nearly 25 years’ experience within the recruitment sector to empower individuals and businesses to achieve their goals and aspirations. High points of her career include securing management roles within a global recruitment business, and overseeing the internal talent acquisition function for a large multi-sector recruitment organisation. Sarah also founded a successful recruitment to recruitment business, in which she supported a wide range of recruitment agencies in their growth journeys, guiding them in finding the perfect talent, from trainee recruiters to seasoned senior managers.
Outside of work Sarah spends most of her time with her family and labrador Remy. Someone who loves travel, she will always be planning her next trip and seeking new horizons to explore.
Andrea Forton, Learning & Development Consultant:
Andrea is a Learning & Development Consultant with over 25 years of experience spanning recruitment, sales, and L & D.
She loves designing and delivering engaging learning programmes that drive high-performance sales and leadership behaviours across teams, drawing on her extensive background in recruitment and executive search. Her career journey had given her deep expertise in talent management, people development, coaching, and performance management. Her industry knowledge comes from a wide variety of sectors including FMCG, construction & property, care and education.
Andrea is passionate about creating impactful training experiences, incorporating innovation and new methodologies, including the use of AI in learning.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking (though happily defers to her husband’s culinary skills), reading, interior design projects and spending time with her dog, Maple.
Elizabeth Malone, Learning and Development Consultant :
Elizabeth is a Learning and Development Consultant with over 14 years’ experience across the recruitment and professional services sectors. She has worked closely with leaders to build capability across sales performance, professional skills, and management development, designing learning solutions that are commercially aligned and performance focused.
Liz brings a forward-looking and curious approach to her work, with a strong interest in evolving learning design and delivery approaches that keep learning engaging, relevant and impactful.
Ysabel Boston, Learning Experience Designer:
Driven by a genuine desire to support others, Ysabel is dedicated to helping individuals reach their full potential. She is eager to explore innovative approaches to learning and development, focusing on creating impactful experiences that inspire growth and empower others to achieve their goals.
Outside of work, Ysabel enjoys dancing, wild swimming, and hiking. She values quality time with family and friends, finding balance and inspiration through these activities.
Sarah Free, Senior Learning and Development Administrator:
With over 11 years of experience in administration, Sarah has built a career around supporting teams, streamlining processes, and making life easier for both colleagues and clients. She thrives on organisation and genuinely enjoys helping others succeed.
Outside the office, life is full and joyful. Sarah loves spending time with her young family, getting lost in a good book, and heading out for walks whenever she can. She also makes time for the gym—it’s her go-to for energy and balance.
Whether she’s coordinating behind the scenes or enjoying time with family, Sarah brings the same dedication, positivity, and attention to detail to everything she does.
Paula Downing, Learning and Development Administrator:
Paula is an experienced and versatile administrative professional, she brings dedication, reliability, and a strong team-first mindset to everything she does. Known for being dependable, organized, and highly motivated, Paula takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly while fostering strong, collaborative working relationships. Paula is committed, motivated, and adaptable, with a passion for supporting others and contributing to a positive, productive workplace.
Paula believes growth never stops and is always open to learning new skills and embracing new opportunities. She thrives in team settings and adapts quickly to new challenges.
Outside of work, Paula cherishes family life and enjoys her most rewarding role of all — being a proud Grandma.
Becky Viccars, Management Development Deliverer:
Becky is an experienced people manager with a history of building, leading, and developing national teams with high-profile clients. She draws on this experience when working with clients and has worked extensively delivering transformational Leadership Development programmes with an emphasis on personal and cultural change. Becky believes that everyone can find joy and fulfilment and ultimately thrive at work. She has a personal interest in diversity, inclusion and belonging and is passionate about enabling people to walk into their potential.
She has experience of working at all levels within organisations but particularly enjoys working with middle to senior managers. Clients find her approach to be engaging and authentic and appreciate how she makes complex theories accessible and grounded in real life application.
Eloise Robb, Learning and Development Project Coordinator:
Eloise is our glue that holds us together! Eloise supports all our L&D coordination, project support work and administration. She often knows what we are thinking before we do!
Outside of work Eloise enjoys swimming, dancing and having fun with her family. She has a passion for life-long learning and self-development, so is always on the look out for a new and interesting article or book to read.
Laura Woodward, Project Coordinator:
In the professional realm, Laura’s unwavering dedication shines through her work in L&D coordination, project support, and administration. Laura has a varied and experienced professional background and can turn her hand to most things with success. She loves using her artistic talents and prides herself on her keen eye for detail.
When she’s not immersed in her work, you’ll find her lost in the pages of a captivating book or cheering on her children at their sporting events. If there ever is time left, you may hear a rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon in D on the piano or even find her trying to capture magical moments on camera!
“I have been on many leadership and management training sessions. The Leadership Programme covered recent and relevant material that was fascinating and I really enjoyed the programme. Thank you!”
“As a new leader in my business area, I found the Leadership Programme insightful, informative and beneficial. I have already taken steps to implement the learning and I feel more confident in my approach”
“Not only does Holly bring enthusiasm and positivity to a team, she provides a fully commercial approach, which consistently achieves results. She engages teams at all levels and actively seeks solutions to improve performance. I have always enjoyed working with Holly and found her to be supportive, personable and professional at all times”
“The LEAP course delivered by Holly was both enjoyable and insightful. For me, it helps managers create a set of tools that genuinely help guide teams of people and their projects through tough times and unforeseen challenges that arise out of working remotely for long periods of time. I’d recommend to those looking to find new ways of thinking when you need that extra support and also help when the day to day contact we are so used to isn’t there.”
“Holly developed a highly successful sales evaluation and development programme for the business, which continues to deliver accelerated revenue growth and a healthy ROI. Holly has a passion for sales and sales management, coupled with exceptional communication skills, as you would expect from such a strong trainer.”
“I recently took part in the LEAP Virtual Development Programme. I found the content to be excellent and full of best practice in areas such as connect, communicate, resilience and engagement.
This was a virtual training course but the quality of the trainer and interactive approach allowed me to fully engage, not only with the subject matter but my peers as well.
Would definitely recommend it!”
“When I asked Holly to provide some training for us, I knew her passion and dedication to the recruitment world would have a huge impact on my people. 2 years later, Holly feels like part of the team, she is frequently working with small groups, 121s and also handling on desk management observations. We have had direct results from the training she has delivered over the years and I can not recommend Holly enough – she is 100% focussed on her content and relevance and inspires my team to always want to deliver what they have learnt.”
“Thank you for a really interesting and valuable training programme. I believe the entire programme was of benefit. Key areas include – Being part of a new group and the interaction, a well balanced programme which encouraged everyone to be engaged and take part. I would like my team to complete the LEAP programme.”
“In the 15 years of working in recruitment, I can honestly say this training has added the most value for me and my team. We have delivered 5 successive Regional ‘Best Evers’ as a result of the changes we have embedded. So many of the team have delivered personal ‘Best Evers’ over the life of the programme and since – and overall my region is currently 38% ahead of last year on margin!”
“I have had the pleasure of attending training delivered by Holly and found her style to be thought provoking, challenging but above all very helpful. I worked with Holly when working on a project reviewing one of our assessment centres and the work Holly had designed and shared, has made a big difference to the way we evaluate. Without question, Holly is someone I would look to gain input from, as she always makes the time to give a considered opinion.”
