​ABOUT US

The National Centre for Behaviour Change started in 2003 (originally as Zest Consultancy) after it had become clear there was a lack of evidence-based, central support and guidance for developing and maintaining best practice in supporting behaviour change. We have recruited some of the world’s leading experts who are passionate about creating effective long-term change and ensuring this is deep-rooted and sustainable. From this, we have developed our services to meet our fundamental aim: creating positive, person-centred sustainable change.

Meet the ncbc Team...

Kendelle bond (msc ph, pg dip rm)

director

Kendelle founded NCBC (Formerly Zest Consultancy) in 2003 and has been working in behaviour change for over 16 years to date. Kendelle originally trained as a Midwife before moving into Public Health where she has passionately worked as a Public Health Consultant to integrate evidence-based practice into behaviour change interventions and practice and delivered extensive training in this area.  Kendelle specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing as a therapist and has extensive experience working within healthcare, social services, criminal justice, addictions, and is an active member of the Motivational Interviewing International Network of Trainers (MINT).

suzanne bardsley

associate director

Suzanne has been working with us for 8 years and is a Motivational Interviewing Practitioner and Trainer (member of MINT). Suzanne delivers training such as the Making Every Contact Count and Motivational Interviewing courses and also provides 1:1 MI coaching and supervision on our contracts and services for people wanting MI to change. She has a specialist interest in MI within mental health conditions such as depression and psychosis and has been supporting a  Carers group in Brighton as well as guest lecturing at Brighton University. Suzanne is a qualified and experienced teacher with 5 years experience prior to joining NCBC and is a former Education Manager. With a wonderful energy and knowledge-base Suzanne is invaluable to all that work in association with NCBC.

dr merav devere 

lead associate (trainer)

Merav (EDD, MSC COUNSELLING PSYCH, BA PSYCH, DIP SUPERVISION, CERT COUNSELLING & GROUPWORK) is a Psychologist who specialises in Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focussed Therapy training and consultancy and has been running her own business, Joint Diversity, for over 20 years.  Dr Devere’s years of experience includes delivering counselling and groupwork in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, designing and implementing groupwork training and courses at different levels and working for South India and Africa Aids Action Programme.  Dr Devere is a member of MINT, the BACP and The Association of Coaching.

sandy utton

lead ASSOCIATE (health and Social Care)

Sandy Utton is our lead associate in health & social care support, and is an MI Practitioner supporting people with long-term conditions and Diabetes to make changes in their lifestyle behaviours. Sandy has over 15 years experience supporting disabled people to independently manage their own lives through Direct Payments, Individual Budgets and the development of Personal Health Budgets. Sandy has been integral in developing our best-practice services within this field and is sought after across the country for her expertise and understanding of services, the law and management of independent living, direct payments, care plans and safeguarding. Regarding best-practice and safeguarding, Sandy developed the unique and outstanding Motivational Interviewing focussed Independent Support & Supervision Service (IPASS) for Personal Assistants and Carers in order to elevate the role, provide robust safeguarding measures, reduce workplace stress and isolation and support the dignity and independence of the disabled employer. For more information or to speak to Sandy please contact us or see our Supervision page.