MEET THE TEAM
JACQUI BAKER
FOUNDER, MATCHMAKER & DATING COACH
Jacqui started this business as a result of becoming single over 2 years ago at the prime age of 53. She tried online dating, but it just wasn’t for her.
She felt she had left behind all the traits and qualities she really wanted to find in her new partner. She also felt she had resorted to the superficial, fast and ruthless world of internet dating and past the game playing stage.
She decided to look at mature singles events aimed at the quirky, higher end market, something that was not readily available or accessible for singles over 45.
To compliment this, Jacqui has always had the instinct of matching friends, colleagues and acquaintances over the years. This has now given her so much satisfaction and delight, paired with her singles event passion, it was and is her dream job.
MELINDA SMITH
PARTNER, MENTOR, COACH
Melinda is a qualified and accredited Holistic Life Coach, NLP Master Practitioner and soon-to-be Hypnotherapist. Melinda brings a history of helping businesses implement change and processes to grow. She is adept at developing relationships and spent a large part of her life-building business for corporate companies, as well as giving career advice and playing matchmaker between job seekers and employers. She realised that the part she enjoyed was relationship coaching - helping employer and employee/job seeker understand each other and invest in their relationship to harmonise their work life together.
Now an Internationally Accredited Coach, Melinda uses holistic coaching and NLP techniques to help her clients to look at their dating behaviours and move through any barriers they may have. She assists them in establishing healthy boundaries so they can get the best out of their dating experience. Melinda delivers mentoring and coaching on an individual and group basis, regularly delivering workshops on loss, confidence, and common dating misconceptions and fears. Melinda delivers the bulk of our on-demand personal development offering and takes responsibility for the operational side of Select Connections.
CAROL O'BRYNE
QUALIFIED GUIDANCE COUNCELLOR
& LIFE COACH
She initially trained as a Life Coach in 2007 after 20 years of working in a busy corporate environment in London and Dublin. She went on to develop and deliver personal development courses to clients who were experiencing periods of ‘being stuck’ and needing guidance on what was next?
Throughout the different stages of our life, there are particular times which we consider to be transitional. These are the times when we feel the need to take stock of our lives and really consider what is important to us going forward. Carol uses coaching tools which can contribute to how we develop our own self-awareness and in so doing envision possibilities for the future. She guides her clients gently into assessing their own needs and how it is possible to look at their situations through a different lens.
EMMA GOTZ
PERSONAL STYLIST
Emma is a Personal Stylist trained with the Style Coaching Institute (UK) and The Style Core Institute (US).
Emma works with both men and women - her mission is to help her clients develop outer and inner confidence with a positive self-image.
She specialises in virtual and online styling services as well as offering one-to-one and group styling sessions in person.
Services range from one-off outfit advice to full-image makeovers. She believes that everyone can benefit from working with a personal stylist, no matter what age, size or body shape, and that it should be a fun, empowering, and positive experience.
Naomi Lloyd
`Photographer
Naomi is a professional portrait photographer who creates portrait photos and headshots that look both professional and eye-catching. With over fifteen years of experience and consistent five-star reviews, you can book a stress-free photo shoot with Naomi knowing that you will receive professional head shots that will enhance your online profile.
Having always worked on location, Naomi can organise an outdoor photo shoot for you that is quick, easy and socially distanced. It does not have to be weather dependent either, as she is a highly experienced photographer who knows where to look for top shade and excellent natural light throughout all the seasons.
Naomi studied law at Warwick University, followed by a successful career in sales and marketing before finally following her dream to run her own photography business in 2005.
Her experience in corporate and professional portrait photography is extensive. Celebrity talks and events include MIPIM convention in Cannes; Jo Malone at Bafta; Eddie The Eagle at Wentworth Golf Club; Princess Michael of Kent at Coworth Manor; Duchess of Rutland at Kensington Rooftop Gardens – to name a few.
LAURA PADBURY
CLUB SELECT
Laura’s professional background has been within the bespoke dating industry along with working for award-winning companies in the events and travel industry. Always having a passion for people and the desire to create and harness a niche community to connect and share in unique experiences. Laura brings forward her experience of working within exclusive clubs and organisations as well as being approachable and friendly with her everyday approach. ‘Being introduced to new people and discovering their path and story has always been something that fascinates me; even better when I have played a role in helping others connect and share in their backstory and future’.
Our mission is for ‘Club Select’ to be the private members club for those wishing to expand their social network and experience the very best curated events and travel experiences within the UK and internationally. ‘We carefully screen each person upon application giving all of our member's reassurance of the quality of our members; feeling confident they will be part of a club community with whom are cultured, polished and welcoming’.
