About Us

Our Team

From our tutors to department heads, it takes an enthusiastic and tireless team to make great things happen.

Senior Leadership

Jonny Phillips

Jonny Phillips

MANAGING DIRECTOR
15 years with Strive Training

Driven to help people build successful careers, Jonny established Strive Training in 2009. He soon grew the company from a one-man show into a robust team that shared his vision and passion for people. Today, he focuses on developing the company and nurturing strong relationships with the government and our partners, while integrating cutting-edge technology to help shape Strive’s future.
Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC in Johannesburg, Jonny thrives on challenge and when away from shaping career pathways you can find him running marathons and on outdoor adventures with his family.

John Stapleton

John Stapleton

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND QUALITY
14 years with Strive Training

After first meeting and sharing a vision with Jonny, John joined Strive Training to help change lives through education. More than 13 years later, he continues to make an impact as Director of Operations and Quality, where he oversees all aspects of day-to-day operational delivery through management teams. A natural and positive leader, John has a rich background in education, with a teaching degree and years of senior level experience in curriculum development, quality assurance and business development. In 2021, he steered Strive through a very successful full Ofsted inspection. Away from the office, John’s also an accomplished Rhythm and Blues piano player and singer!

Ananta Patel

Ananta Patel

HEAD OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
7 years with Strive Training

There’s a reason Strive Training has so many strong partnerships with organisations across the country – and that’s Ananta! For six years, Ananta has been responsible for creating and managing our extensive and ever-growing network of partners and employers. She is constantly travelling to meet key stakeholders and forge relationships with partners at both local and national events. For the last six years, Ananta has helped Strive Training grow by driving business development initiatives.

Kim Franks

Kim Franks

HR DIRECTOR
12 years with Strive Training

Kim has been the HR heartbeat of Strive Training for more than a decade! People are her passion as she oversees every aspect of human resources within the company; managing recruitment, engaging employees, and driving development, while playing a key role in tendering for government funding opportunities. Holding a Master’s degree in Organisational Psychology, Kim worked in various fields of HR in South Africa and Australia before joining Strive in 2012.

Management

Aniqa Afzal

Aniqa Afzal

HEAD OF ONBOARDING & ENROLMENTS

9 years with Strive Training

Edita Jamshaid

Edita Jamshaid

LEAD ADMINISTRATOR

8 years with Strive Training

Ermira Kaso

Ermira Kaso

CENTRE MANAGER

3 years with Strive Training

Florina Todiras

Florina Todiras

HEAD OF COMPLIANCE

11 years with Strive Training

Gersh Grosberg

Gersh Grosberg

IT MANAGER

14 years with Strive Training

Jono Milner

Jono Milner

MARKETING AND PROJECT MANAGER

14 years with Strive Training

Naphtoli Englard

Naphtoli Englard

HEAD OF SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

5 years with Strive Training