Meet the ICPC Team
We are incredibly lucky to have a team who are deeply passionate about their work and who strive to bring you the best training, tutoring and ongoing support. You can read a bit more about each of them here...
Stuart L Morris • Founder and Director
I am the founder of the International College of Professional Celebrants, the father of three sons, pilot, award winning lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Henley Business School and general lover of life. I took my first funeral in 1995 and I've been passionate about the rites of passage ever since.
Years ago, I recognized that most training organizations were only teaching to specific ceremonies; weddings or funerals, nothing encompassing all the many rites of passage. There was a massive void in the education offered and it was then that my entrepreneur-self kicked in and I realized I needed to start a training company. One with a diverse curriculum; teaching everything a celebrant would need to celebrate any milestone, transition or rite of passage. Thus, was born the International College of Professional Celebrants, now the Number One training organization in the United Kingdom.
As human beings we have celebrated these moments in life throughout history and across all cultures. I fundamentally believe that as professional celebrants we bring joy, comfort and fulfilment to the people we serve. I like to say that I'm a minister without religion, of the “priesthood” for this generation.
The Teaching and Tutoring team
Julie Bisacre •
Operations Director, Assessor and Trainer
Hi, I’m Julie. It’s nice to meet you! I am a busy wedding and funeral celebrant, running a very successful business in North Somerset. I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen to join this amazing profession and train with ICPC.
After training as a teacher, I worked with a variety of students from age 4 to 60 years old teaching all subjects but specialising in the performing arts. This has given me a great insight into how people 'learn’ - enabling me to be a very versatile teacher/trainer while making learning accessible (and fun) for everyone.
Along with my celebrant business, I ran a successful independent retail business for 14 years, which gave me a good insight into all aspects of running a business.
I have a passion for theatre and the arts and this permeates through my writing and my ceremonies. My sense of performance helps make my ceremonies memorable.
Maxine Ward • Trainer
Hello, I’m Maxine and am delighted to be part of the ICPC training team. Originating from the North East, I am now based in Wiltshire where I am a professional celebrant. A career that has given me more joy and job satisfaction than any other.
My background is working with organisations on large recruitment projects, where I also trained interviewers, and coached countless undergraduates on how to be their best at interviews. I have trained, and continue to practice as a Life Coach and Neuro Linguistic Practitioner, and use the skills this has given me to apply to my celebrant career, to help others to confidently develop theirs, and in all of my interactions with clients and families.
When I am not working I enjoy watching period dramas, throwing dinner parties, walking and country pursuits.
I love to help people develop and pursue their dreams and if becoming a celebrant is yours then, I would love to meet you on one of our training courses and perhaps we could squeeze in some walking in the breathtaking Yorkshire countryside.
Mike Warren • Trainer
Hello, I’m Mike and I am thrilled to be part of the ICPC training team. I am also excited for you, as you embark on your celebrant journey and enter an amazing profession that is unique, personally rewarding and extremely enjoyable.
For the past 25 years, I have been a teacher and for 10 years, have been a primary headteacher. My experience of teaching children, training adults and leading schools, has developed important skills – not only in my celebrant career but also as a trainer. I am passionate about life-long learning and recognise the value of transferable skills. As a teacher & trainer, I enjoy the opportunity to get to know people, work alongside and support them to grow in skills and confidence during their training with ICPC.
When I am not busy working, I enjoy spending time with my family and love walking our westie and rescue dogs. We are so lucky to live in Hampshire and have the New Forest walks on our doorstep! I love listening to music, visiting the theatre, and have been fortunate to travel around the world.
As a celebrant, it is an honour to work closely with families and serve them with genuine care, empathy and professionalism. I enjoy the creativity of weaving life stories in order to make the ceremonies meaningful and memorable. I am passionate about being a celebrant and know the joy that comes from doing something that you love – doing it well and making a difference to others. I look forward to sharing this passion with you too.
Stuart Atherton • Trainer
Hello, I’m Stuart a full-time celebrant working across the South West of England but predominantly based in Wiltshire. It is such an honour to be a trainer for the ICPC and look forward to meeting you as you begin your journey, to such a rewarding career.
My job as a celebrant gives me that personalised people contact that I love and feel so at home with. To craft a ceremony, just for them, is a beautiful task that I never take for granted.
I spent 20+ years in primary education, ultimately becoming a Headteacher. Within my career, I trained teachers and leaders within the schools where I worked and across other schools in the boroughs of South West London. I loved it.
Seeing people develop in their chosen profession is a such a privilege. My development in teaching and leadership has given me a toolkit to share with all students who join the ICPC. I get so much from seeing people grow, and with the quality curriculum the ICPC delivers, you will recognise that in all that you do.
I have many interests outside of work, living in the countryside often means exploring the forests and hills that are just outside of my front & back doors. When I am at home, the house is often a buzz with baking! I also have a studio set up to make clothes, costumes and toys. And there is nothing better in my spare time than having a cuppa, natter and a whole lot of cake with those that I love.
…and with the ICPC, you are never alone. It gives you a wider ‘family’ who you can draw upon for support and advice, our ICPC community is an active one.
Amber Lee • Curriculum Developer, Assessor and IQA
Hi, my name is Amber Lee
I am passionate about education and I will never forget what it is like to be a learner. Especially as an adult learner, I was a late bloomer to education returning to University in my 30’s and as a single parent found the balance challenging but rewarding.
I have over 12 years experience working in education focusing primarily on teaching and learning from early years to teacher training. I have a BA Hons Early Years Education degree and an MA in Education.
My passion for teaching and learning has seen me work as a tutor, assessor, team leader, curriculum leader and Internal quality assurer. I work as a freelance End Point Assessor for Apprenticeships and Quality assurer across several different clients, and I also support the students of ICPC alongside assessing and quality assurance support to the Head of Quality.
Alongside my roles in education I also support my husband who has recently opened a shop selling painting and decorating supplies. I do not claim to know anything about painting but I am learning every day. I am also a grandmother and if I am not running around after my grandchildren you will find me with my head in the latest crime thriller! I am also trying to learn crochet, apparently it's easy…..it's not!!
The Admin Team
Mary Collins • Customer Service
Hello I am Mary and I am a Customer Services Operator here at ICPC. I may well have spoken to you at the beginning of your Celebrant journey. In my support role, I answer any questions that you may have which come in via email. I also work as a Professional Celebrant having trained first with ICPC. I love having the opportunity of getting to know you on the telephone or via email, listening to your stories and telling you more about what it is like to train with ICPC, to do what in my view is very probably the best job in the world.
Before I became a Celebrant, I worked in education for a number of years and before that I was a tour guide in Europe and the UK. I have two grown up children who have now left home and I live in Hampshire with my husband. Any free time is spent with my family, cooking or travelling.
Emma Rowlands • Marketing Manager
John Nicholson-Alexander • Tech Support and Administrator
Hi, I'm John. I manage our pre and post course systems, both online and residential to make sure everything runs smoothly and that students and teaching team have all the information they need. I'm also the resident visual media editor.
I came to ICPC from a customer service background in hospitality and utilities. I'm data driven, and slightly obsessed with spreadsheets and guitars.
I live in the West Midlands with Anita, and I get the pleasure of being stepdad to her 3 beautiful daughters. I spend a lot of time playing my guitar, writing and recording music, and "fine tuning" my speaker setup.
Anita Nicholson-Alexander • Creative Lead and Designer
Hi, I’m Anita - I’m the web and graphic designer here at ICPC HQ. I have over 10 years experience in visual design, now specialising in branding and website design for the wedding industry. It’s my job to manage our company's identity and create excellent websites that are easy to use and look great!
I also work closely with John (because we live together and work from home) and the rest of the team, in managing the logistics of our courses, in order to keep our online systems up to date.
I live in the West Midlands, I’m married to John and mum to three beautiful daughters. I’m a hoarder of fantasy books, black clothes, art supplies, and cake making equipment. When I’m not working I’m usually making a mess creating something, or dragging the family out for long walks somewhere hilly.
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