The CHEK Institute Team

Gavin Jennings (CHEK Practitioner Level 4)

Chief Executive Officer

Gavin has a very varied career spanning over 30 years of owning his own businesses in various industries.

Before taking the reins of the global company as CEO in 2017, Gavin had spent 15 years running a string of his own very successful CHEK Clinics, employing CHEK Practitioners, Medical Doctors, Physiotherapist, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Remedial Therapists, Psychotherapists, Functional Medicine Doctors and Traditional Medicine Practitioners.

This very expansive experience has allowed Gavin to see behind the curtain in many healthcare professions, and this experience inspired Gavin’s many creations within the CHEK Institute.

In 2014 Gavin founded the CHEK Academy, initially to help students in the UK study with the CHEK Institute’s advanced education programs whilst still working full time and to master the art of being a CHEK Practitioner, rather than passing exams.

For students who may not previously have had been successful in traditional academic studies, Gavin says “I left school at 16, without any formal qualifications that were appealing to employers, so after a succesful apprenticeship in the building industry, I started my own companies – first in the building industry then in retail and wholesale, and then finally when I turned 30 in the health care industry.”

Because of the issue that many health care professionals face, a lack of business skills, Gavin built and delivered extensive business training and mentorship for all students, based on his own experience and what he had proved had worked within real clinics.

In 2017, Gavin took CHEK Academy global with online learning, and has updated all online content for the Academy during 2020. The Academy student intake has doubled in size every year since 2018.

Since then, Gavin and the CHEK Institute Team have successfully launched the CHEKIVA free platform, built the first CHEK Media Film Studios in the UK, and opened the CHEK approved E-commerce store in 2020.

Gavin is passionate about the vision and values of the CHEK Institute and all of it’s practitioners and is a shining example of a successful health entrepreneur.

Penthea Crozier (MA, MSc, MBA)

President & Co-founder CHEK Institute

Penthea combines an academic background in biological anthropology, exercise and sports science, and business administration together with eighteen years of experience in the fitness profession as an instructor, personal trainer, gym manager, and international presenter. She loves dance, outdoor activities and multisports.

Gabi Cani

Chief Financial Officer

Gabi has extensive commercial and business partnering and operational finance and accounting experience within a large organisation. She has worked in a procurement and financial transactional services outsourcing environment across a portfolio of 6 blue chip customers (including the aerospace, banking, retail and manufacturing sectors).

Gabi is experienced in working in fast paced entrepreneurial environments both large and small. She is a confident decision-maker, effective team player, and able to influence key stakeholders across all levels of an organisation.

Matthew Wallden
(MS Osteopathic Medicine, CHEK Practitioner Level 4, CHEK Golf Performance Specialist, CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3)

Global Head of Education Development

Matt’s overarching passion is to help people realise their potential. Matt’s unique angle is to utilise a wide variety of modern clinical skills combined with evolutionary principles to achieve optimal health & performance. He has a broad yet refined skill-set; employing cutting edge technologies integrated with ancient healing traditions to offer a complete system of health. Matt is qualified as a healthcare practitioner, a sports injuries & performance specialist, a teacher, presenter and an author. He lives in Surrey, UK with his wife, 2 children and small menagerie of pets.

James Phelps

Director of Marketing & Social Media

Recovering philosopher, aspiring evolutionary biologist and running addict, James draws on a diverse background to head the Marketing Department at the CHEK Institute. Beyond helping the Institute to transform the world’s approach to health and wellness, James plans to complete the Western States 100, finally complete that novel collecting cobwebs on his hard drive, and spend time exploring all of the continents on the planet.

Galyn Bradshaw

Director of Education

Galyn joined the Institute in 2016 after thirteen years in the legal field as a Paralegal. She brings her extensive office knowledge, attention to detail, and honed interpersonal skills to a company she truly values.

Galyn loves music and dance, traveling the world, and spoiling her two fur babies, Bula and Lomani.

Abdul Shahid

Director of Technology

Abdul has been in the Tech industry for almost 25 years working with a number of large corporations including the Co-operative Group, Atkins, NHS to name a few which has taken him all over the UK and abroad.

He is a self proclaimed geek and has experience in network infrastructure, server architecture and web development.

In his spare time Abdul likes to ride out on the tracks on his mountain bike, his rides are the usual local spots including Lee Quarry, Gisburn Forest, Bike Park Wales and Llandegla.

Abdul is also a huge foodie, he’s always one of the first to try out any new cuisines that pop up and also cooks up a bit of a storm in the kitchen. Above all else he is a family man at heart and loves spending time with his small family in the rolling hills of Rossendale

Lisa Chapman

Education Manager

Lisa joined the Institute after working for several years in the Health and Fitness Industry. Her past experiences, attention to detail, and passion for helping others are strong benefits to the company. Lisa’s interests are traveling and visiting new countries, spending time with her husband, family and friends, and going on long walks with her black Labrador, Bruce.

Tom Sumner

Chief Operating Officer

Tom joined the Institute as an Administrative Apprentice in 2012 and over the following decade, progressed through a variety of Operational roles, culminating in his appointment as Chief Operating Officer in March 2022. 

Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor swimming, paddleboarding and spending time with his young family.

Angela Hanley

CHEK Academy Manager

Angela joined the institute in 2021 after 25 years of working in the legal industry, most recently working in a training and development role within a Legal Academy.

She brings to the CHEK Academy experience of online learning in a fast paced environment, with a real passion for self development.

Angela has a keen interest in alternative wellness and enjoys making home aromatherapy products in her spare time, as well as walking the family bulldog, Diesel.

Natalie Everton

CHEK Academy Coordinator

Natalie started working for CHEK Institute in June 2020, during the midst of a worldwide Pandemic. Joining during this period allowed her to reflect on the importance of her own health which has been greatly assisted with the help of the CHEK family.

With a background in property and law, the two industries helped sculpt Natalie’s career and taught her about customer service, organisation and professionalism. In her spare time, Natalie can be found spending time with family and friends and going for long walks in the nearby countryside.

Matangee Purohit

Finance Manager

Matangee was born and raised in India, Gujarat before moving to the UK. Working in finance in India, gave Matangee a good and thorough standing to continue her career in the UK. Having worked as a finance assistant previously, a further opportunity arose for Matangee to join the team at CHEK Europe in March 2021 as a finance manager.

Stuart Cooke

Customer Service

Stuart joined the CHEK Institute in April 2021. Even at this early stage of his life journey with the Institute, Stuart has proved to be a popular and integral member of the team bringing passion, motivation and endless enthusiasm to the team.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his young family and following his favourite football team, Manchester United.

Phil Delaire
(CHEK Practitioner Level 4, CHEK Golf Performance Specialist, CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3)

Producer & Editor

Phil attended York University to complete a Bachelor of Arts as he double majored in Film Production, and Kinesiology & Health Sciences.

Phil worked at the Granite Club, one of the top private family clubs in North America. He would become Wellness Manager overseeing the Fitness, High Performance, Group Exercise, Specialty Programs, and the Active Therapy Clinic. Phil consulted on the design and layout of their multi-million-dollar expansion of the Granite’s wellness facilities. Phil would have the opportunity to train a variety of athletes and clients, including professional hockey players, Olympic Figure skaters, National Synchronized Swimmers, and Ultra endurance athletes. Phil’s leadership position allowed him to evolve and inspire others to improve health and living wellness.

Phil is thrilled that he is now able to pursue his passions creatively as a producer and editor for CHEK media.

Asim Gulzar

CHEK Marketing Manager

Asim sailed over from Northern Ireland in 2012 and into our hearts at the CHEK Institute.

Determined & enthusiastic, he is a software developer turned marketer, and has built up a resume of managing marketing teams & growing startup businesses across multiple industries.

Callum Wood

Customer Service Manager

Callum started working for CHEK Institute in 2022, shortly after completing bachelors degree with honours.

He brings with him a good knowledge of customer service and technical support from previous roles, including a role in the public health sector. Outside of work, Callum enjoys spending time with his young family, reading, hiking and football.

Cristina Ayala

Administrative Assistant

Cristina has extensive experience in small business operations and podcast production and management, spearheading podcasts into the top 50 charts globally. She’s the co-founder and co-owner of a boxing gym in San Diego featured as one of the “Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs” by San Diego Voyager Magazine. Her business is functioning independently, and now, she is devoting herself full-time to assisting the CHEK Institute in facilities management, customer service, and the podcast. Cristina wants to contribute to the Institute’s mission of spreading health, wellness, and fitness to those who come to us to prepare themselves for that mission.