People Academy was formed in 2010. The co-founders, Phil Ferrar, Miles Henson, and Lillian Hosea (retired 2021) were aligned behind one purpose - to shine a spotlight on the People Dimension: enabling people to communicate and behave in ways that consistently deliver performance, with, and through, individuals and teams. Developing high performing teams and cultures starts with the individual, whatever their role, and what is always key is how they self-manage to bring out the best in each other.
Phil Ferrar & Miles Henson – founders and owners of People Academy
Initially, People Academy worked almost exclusively in the corporate world, but quickly learned that the ‘People Dimension’ translates into any sector or role where people are the key. In 2013 we were invited into USA Olympic sport, the results proving that our approach released untapped potential in already great teams and individuals. Since then, the team has worked in public service institutions, education, law, alongside continued work in the commercial and sports world.
The experience and track record of the people in our team is rooted in the sports and business worlds. In the case of sport, this is at elite, professional, and grassroots level. Outside of sport, the team’s knowhow is derived from many years of working with everyone from global, world-class companies to boutique businesses, colleges, educational trusts and local government bodies, from small teams to boards of directors, and whole organisations.
Jessie & Mike Kohn – our partners leading People Academy USA
In 2025, we made a strategic move to deepen our presence in the USA market by forming a formal partnership with trusted allies, Mike & Jessie Kohn (see Client Stories & Bios). With a strong resonance in U.S. sports and Mike and Jessie's extensive experience, this collaboration allows us to accelerate our growth in the region. While we've been active in the U.S. since 2013, this partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter, providing us with an established operational base and an expanded network across the country.
Our Team
Phil Ferrar
Co-founder and owner
Phil Ferrar is deeply passionate about helping individuals and organizations understand their impact on others and harness their full potential. As an executive coach and facilitator, he specializes in unlocking high performance within teams, tackling complex challenges, and driving sustainable change. Phil thrives on navigating the tough, urgent moments when organizations need to transform their culture and leadership practices.
His work spans industries including automotive, banking, financial services, public services, healthcare, law, insurance, IT, precision engineering, retail, telecoms, education, and Olympic sports. A recognized thought leader in the field, Phil's academic research has been pivotal in exploring the psychology of the 'manager-as-coach' relationship.
Whether through executive coaching or mentoring, or facilitating teams and groups, Phil’s influence goes beyond organizational transformation—he drives personal growth and profound change at the individual level. His ability to inspire and challenge people enables them to unlock untapped potential, both within themselves and within their teams.
“I believe everyone has untapped potential. My role is to help individuals, teams, and organizations realize and release that potential—achieving more than they ever thought possible. It all starts with self-awareness and a commitment to growth.”
Miles Henson
Co-founder and owner
Miles Henson is a highly experienced behavioural change specialist and a passionate advocate for effective communication and leadership. Miles has had the privilege of working in over 35 countries, partnering with individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve excellence in communication, leadership, and culture transformation. His work spans a diverse range of sectors, from Olympic coaches and athletes and medal-winning teams to corporate boardrooms, global businesses, education, and the public sector.
Miles is renowned for his ability to facilitate lasting change, drawing on his deep understanding of human behaviour and how it shapes communication and team dynamics. He has worked with a wide array of clients, including top athletes, leading coaches, and business leaders, to enhance their performance and navigate complex cultural and leadership challenges. Whether in high-stakes environments or day-to-day business, his focus on fostering meaningful connections and improving engagement has been a cornerstone of his success.
As a coach, mentor, facilitator, and keynote speaker, Miles is dedicated to helping people unlock their potential and navigate the complexities of human interaction with clarity and confidence. He takes immense pride in the achievements of People Academy and the positive impact it has had on the lives and careers of those he works with.
“What fascinates me most is understanding why people behave and communicate the way they do. The way we interact—both intentionally and unintentionally—has a profound impact on the people around us. My focus is on helping individuals and teams become more aware of their communication styles, and how to ensure their message is received as intended. Because, ultimately, it’s not just about what you’re trying to say; it’s about how it’s received that truly counts.”
Mike Kohn
Partner - People Academy USA
Mike is passionate about helping others unlock the same tools, insights, and mindset shifts that shaped his own journey—from Olympic medalist to transformational coach. A two-time Olympian and bronze medalist in the sport of bobsled, Mike went on to coach three Olympic teams. Over the course of his coaching career, he guided athletes to eight Olympic medals and was honored with the prestigious Order of Ikkos medal for his contributions as a coach.
Through it all, he learned that the true differentiator in high performance isn’t just talent or tactics—it’s people. How we lead, connect, and grow together is what elevates both individuals and teams. Mike’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that high-performance cultures are built on deep interpersonal connections and a foundation of trust and clarity.
Mike’s parallel career as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer brought discipline, resilience, and perspective to his leadership. Now retired from military service, he draws on that experience to help individuals and organizations build the accountability that elite performance demands.
His professional turning point came through his work with People Academy, where he encountered the frameworks and coaching tools that helped him understand himself—and others—in an entirely new way. Today, he’s committed to paying that forward. Whether on the field of play, in a boardroom, or across a team huddle, Mike believes that people skills are essential high-performance skills—and that self-awareness is the first step to unlocking them.
"When you understand how you’re wired, you give yourself the power to lead, connect, and perform at your highest level."
Jessie Kohn
Partner - People Academy USA
Jessie’s professional journey has taken her from corporate recruitment offices to elementary school classrooms, united by a passion for understanding people and helping them thrive. With degrees in music, education, and conflict analysis and resolution, she brings a unique, interdisciplinary approach to the way individuals and teams work together.
Whether she’s guiding leaders through challenging conversations or helping groups unlock the potential buried in team dynamics, Jessie’s focus is always the same: how to use conflict as a catalyst for clarity, connection, and high performance.
Her ability to ask the right questions, surface what matters most, and create an atmosphere of trust and openness makes her a trusted coach, facilitator, and mentor. She is driven by the belief that people already have what they need to succeed—when they are given the space and tools to fully embrace who they are meant to be.
“I’m endlessly curious about what drives people—why they do what they do, what holds them back, and what lights them up. I’ve seen, again and again, that when people understand their own nature, strengths, and patterns, they don’t just work better—they lead, connect, and live with more intention and impact.”
“I’ve learned it's not about changing yourself but about being aware of where you may have to work harder with some relationships. Also, we need more clarity over what ‘good’ looks like, and ’how we do things around here’ as a leadership team. We will be creating a code for our company, and I need to work on one for my department.” Thank you, People Academy!”
Senior Leader