Meet our experts
Every Victory Retreat is brought to life by a handpicked team of industry-leading coaches, consultants and wellness specialists, each bringing their own unique insight, energy and passion to the experience. These aren’t just experts in their fields; they’re dedicated to helping others grow, transform, and thrive.
With a dynamic mix of business acumen, therapeutic tools, creative coaching and holistic wellbeing practices, meet the inspiring individuals who will support, challenge and champion you every step of the way.
Vicky Simpson
victory retreat founder and trusted guide for growth
Victory Retreats was born from a deeply personal and transformative chapter in my life. While volunteering and mentoring young adults transitioning out of care, I saw just how powerful it can be to give back and how vital it is to help people reignite their inner fire. That experience shaped everything I believe in today; that everyone deserves the tools, support and space to truly thrive.
My approach is grounded in real-world experience. I spent 34 years in the legal profession, including as Head of Compliance for a national law firm, before stepping away to create a compliance and business consultancy and eventually Victory Retreats. Along the way, I coached managing partners, leadership teams and professionals navigating major transitions, all of which showed me that sustainable success starts from within.
But my journey hasn’t been all corporate. A childhood accident left me with life-changing injuries and decades later, it was a Tony Robbins event (and an unexpected firewalk!), that transformed my mindset and ignited my passion for personal development. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to help others discover just how powerful they truly are.
Each retreat is designed to bring that same energy, insight and compassion, giving you clear space mentally and emotionally to understand what really matters to you and begin building a life and mindset that supports your next chapter.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, direction or simply a break to reconnect with yourself, I’m here to support you on that journey with honesty, empathy and the tools to create lasting change.
Let’s walk through the fire together and come out stronger on the other side.
Clare Pinkney
AWARD WINNING AND CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST
Clare is an award-winning celebrity hair and makeup artist with over twenty years of experience in the industry. Renowned for her expertise in enhancing natural beauty, she has had the privilege of working with high-profile celebrities across film, television, and public relations. Her exceptional male grooming skills have set her apart in the competitive landscape, allowing her to create looks that instil confidence and radiate authenticity.
As an accredited trainer, Clare is passionate about sharing her knowledge and empowering others. She believes in the transformative power of a positive mindset, striving to bring about meaningful changes in individuals. Her goal is to teach clients how to grow with confidence and embrace their inner beauty, understanding that true success stems from self-assurance and a genuine smile. Clare’s professional yet calm nature allows her clients to feel relaxed and safe, creating an atmosphere where they can fully express themselves.
Before establishing herself as a sought-after makeup artist, Clare honed her leadership skills in the corporate sector, heading a Sales and Marketing team in the IT industry. This unique background allows her to connect with corporate clients and brings a wealth of business etiquette and professional grooming insights to the table.
Clare is committed to empowering individuals to glow with confidence. Whether on set or in the boardroom, she is dedicated to delivering exceptional results that leave her clients feeling their best.
“I am lucky to have found a career I enjoy and love, where I can use my creative and corporate skills to enhance people’s lives”.
Edwin James
Editorial photographer and educator
Edwin James is a multi-talented Entrepreneur and photographer. As the owner of Edwin James photography, Ed has over 28 years of experience in Hair and Beauty, Fashion, commercial photography. He is an expert in shooting in Natural light, Mixed-light, and studio lighting and holds full professional qualifications with the
MPA, BIPP, and the Guild of photographers.
Ed’s photographic and award-winning retouching and image-making have received accreditations and awards by all of the above national and international governing bodies mentioned.
Teaching and Learning are a massive part of Ed’s life, and he feels it’s essential to pass on the fantastic knowledge and experience he has accumulated over his long career. So if you are interested in training or mentoring please feel free to reach out.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Abbie Newcombe
FOUNDER OF VIRTUALLY ASSISTING YOU
Abbie has spent the last four years building and running a successful social media marketing and virtual assistant business that supports busy, ambitious business owners who are ready to grow.
Helping clients show up consistently online enables them to connect with their ideal target audience and boost their visibility through strategic content, clever planning…and a whole lot of personality!
Abbie’s sessions will break down the foundations of a solid social media strategy, minus the fluff, covering how to create content that connects with your audience, how to plan and batch (even when you’re short on time) and the simple steps you can take to boost your engagement and visibility.
From strategy to content creation to full management, Abbie knows what it takes to turn overwhelm into ‘OMG, this actually works!’.
Becca Hull
BSc (Hons), MSc, HCPC, CSP, POGP affiliate member, APPI Pilates Trained
Becca Hull has over 17 years of experience as a Physiotherapist. She has worked across all clinical areas of Physiotherapy in the NHS including Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Neurology, Respiratory medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal outpatient clinics. She specialised in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, progressing to a Team Leader roles and becoming involved in National clinical research before moving to the Private sector 8 years ago. Becca further specialised in Women’s Health Physiotherapy offering women at any age support through pregnancy, postnatally and through peri- and menopausal changes. She now runs her own clinic, Reconnect Physiotherapy, in Leatherhead, Surrey and enjoys offering both Musculoskeletal and Women’s Health therapy.
Following the birth of her first daughter 11 years ago, she completed the APPI’s comprehensive Pilates training offering 1:1 clinical and class-based Pilates. Pilates with Becca has grown over the last decade to 6 classes a week which are fun, sociable, varied and cater for any ability, age and exercise goal. She offers mat classes, standing aerobic Pilates to intensive HIIT Pilates!
Working with people is what Becca enjoys the most. She is an advocate for supporting and educating people in their understanding of their condition, building confidence in the management phase, supporting recovery and seeing people return to the things they love the most. Becca is passionate about getting to know each Physiotherapy and Pilates client, building rapports and optimising positive changes in peoples’ physical and mental health.
In her spare time, she loves the variety exercise brings from strength training, running and spinning to roller skating! She is kept very busy with her two young daughters hobbies and supporting her husbands golf antics! As a family, they love the outdoors, travel and being with friends and family.
Ben Carbone
NLP practitioner and life coach
Ben is a certified NLP practitioner, public speaker, and sales professional with a background in mechanics. After eight years in vehicle repair and earning NVQ Level 2 and 3, he transitioned into a exciting sales career, leveraging his strong interpersonal skills. Currently, he works as an account manager at Hilti Great Britain, focusing on sales strategy and building relationships.
Over the past four years, Ben has undergone significant personal transformation, delving into psychology, philosophy, and personal development. His passion for public speaking drives him to share valuable lessons and tools to help others achieve their own transformations. Ben is actively seeking to connect with like-minded individuals and communities for networking, partnerships, and insights.
Kirstie Smillie
Personal Fashion Stylist
Kirstie currently works with Bloomberg London’s TV talent (including virtual wardrobes for their global teams) to organise and tailor weekly outfits to enable them to present confidently on live television.
Her private clients, including Tim Peake for his TV work, generally come to her for wardrobe solutions that suit their real, everyday lives.
Kirstie believes that everyday casual, work and special occasion outfits should be planned to avoid last minute panics, whilst developing a more conscious sense of buying ‘less but better.’
Originally trained as a fashion designer, her focus is on a great fit and classics over trends, but she’s always on the look out for clothes with identity.
It takes time to make considered decisions knowing that your clothing can positively change your body image and show the best version of yourself to the world.
Kirstie is looking forward to imparting some tips and knowledge to help find your own style.
Neil Tuson
Founder of Perfect Teams, author, mentor, and trainer
Neil is a graduate in Marine Engineering and has sailed around the world as a ship’s engineer. Somewhere on that voyage he discovered a passion for personal development. Landing in California he worked for Dale Carnegie before returning to the UK to build a business for them in South London. Being entrepreneurial he quickly set up his own coaching and consultancy business. He has had the privilege of working with over 7000 people in 150 businesses in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
Neil loves creating innovative approaches to helping businesses develop individuals, teams and divisions resulting in the formation of Perfect Teams in 2016. Using a unique algorithm ‘Perfect-Teams’ has become the new standard for helping businesses to understand the mix of people they have in their teams.
Perfect Teams have, in turn, licensed their exclusive Intellectual Property [IP] to help consultants and clients make sense of the people equation in an increasingly chaotic, hybrid, and fragmented workplace. People often describe Neil as – Enigmatic, Quiet and Driven.
When not consulting or coaching you will find Neil running or trekking the Surrey Hills or similar vistas around the world.
He’d love to give a TED talk on Perfect Teams.
sarah durbin
wingwoman extraordinaire
In 2021 Sarah founded a virtual support & events business, combining her skills in organisation, admin and event management to support business owners and senior professionals behind the scenes.
With her grounding in over 15 years in events and hospitality, from exhibitions and corporate functions to weddings and social gatherings, Sarah has learnt to bring a calm presence, a feel for coordinating all the moving parts and a deep understanding of how to keep things running smoothly.
Whether it’s lifestyle, business or project based support, Sarah’s steady presence enables others to reclaim their time, reduce stress levels and focus on the things that bring them joy.