The AoR Board

Karen King - Chair specialising in Training and Education

Karen King I graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Education from Birmingham University, and have taught in the UK and Middle East. I trained at the Athena School of Natural Therapies and set up own practice in August 1993, which I still run.

I gained practitioner status in a number of therapies including massage (Swedish & remedial), aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, thermo-auricular therapy, Crystal Therapy, EFT, Reiki & Sekham Healing, Advanced Louise Hay Trainer status. I also trained as Precision reflexologist, ART practitioner, VRT practitioner and Universal Method reflexologist. I was the main course tutor at Cheshire Academy in Nantwich, training students as ITEC and AoR qualified reflexologists.

After writing and marking AoR exam questions, I joined the AoR Council as Training & Education Co-ordinator in 2002, and was the chair of SAC (Schools Assessment Committee, later the Accredited Centres Assesment Commitee). My team oversaw the accreditation of all AoR centres and I revised and marked exam papers for AQA. When ABC became our awarding body, I stepped down from exam paperwork, but then remaining as a moderator until 2006.

Kalok Bonar - Director of Finance

Kalok Bonar I've worked as a Finance professional for over 17 years, from a very successful start-up business, to large international companies. My work has taken me around the USA, Europe and Asia, working with a variety of cultures to improve reporting and solve problems. With a busy work life came the importance of maintaining good health, which fuelled my interest in complementary therapies like reflexology. I'm pleased to see the public increasingly embracing complementary therapies, no doubt largely due to organisations like the AoR. I'm enjoying working and living in London again, having worked in Switzerland for the past three years, which was also great for my husband and me to improve our skiing and German!

Ireen Goulding - Honorary Secretary

I qualified as a reflexologist in 2003, and still consider myself to learning on the job, I really love it, and since retiring two years ago I've had more time to practice. I've been on the Board as Honoary Secretary since February this year. Most Board members have years of experience, and are only too pleased to help and assist any new recruit. Before I retired, I worked in a Nuclear Medicine Company.

Judith Hammond- Director specialising in Research

Judith Hammond I worked for 19 years in various laboratories in the food industry, including three years at the Public Analysts laboratory. After being made redundant I decided to retrain, got an HNC in Social Care and got into Swansea University where I read joint Honours sociology and psychology. Here began my interest in research. I've also worked in market research, co-ordinating a drop-in-centre and teaching A-Level psychology at a local comprehensive, during which I studied for my diploma in reflexology. I'd long been interested in the the therapy, and eventualy gave up teaching altogether to allow myself to be able to concentrate on my reflexology business.

I joined the AoR board as Research Co-ordinator, working on the Research pack and giving talks to area groups. I've also written articles for Reflexions, prepared an annual research report for the AGM, and attended a number of courses and conferences.

Ali Norell - Director specialising in PR and Media relations

Ali Norell spent several years working in the marketing, events and PR sectors before training in reflexology. Ali worked as European Coordinator for a US based non profit organisation, the Urban Land Institute. In 2001, she joined Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as their PR Manager, and went on to perform the same role for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Ali graduated from the Central London College of Reflexology in May 2004. After completing training in several other therapies, including studying Ayurveda in India, she joined the team of renowned therapist and healer Dr. Gowri Motha.

In her private practice, Ali specialises in working with pregnancy and fertility. She is a Foresight Practitioner, helping couples to better their chances of conception through reflexology treatments and focus on lifestyle and holistic wellbeing. She studied Jenny Lee’s Baby Reflex technique last year and is in the process of setting up classes and workshops for parents and babies in London. She has appeared on The One Show (BBC 1) and live on Channel Five News discussing her work, and has also been featured in the Daily Mail You Magazine and the Guardian.

Ali often works intuitively and employs a range of healing therapies and techniques – based on ancient knowledge - to assist each client on an individual basis. She is passionate about her work and seizes as many opportunities as possible to increase her knowledge of her subject matter. Much of this is achieved through her clients, whom she says teach her something new every day.

In any remaining spare time, Ali is a keen yoga practitioner and has been dancing flamenco for eight years.

Viv Knowland - Director

After three years working in the fashion magazine division of IPC Magazines, Viv set up and ran her own business in the design, manufacturing and wholesaling of millinery for 17 years.

Having always taken an avid interest in the promotion of good health, Viv retrained as a reflexologist and aromatherapist in her early 40’s.

Since 1997 Viv has built up a full time private practice. She also holds a weekly clinic at the Paul D’Auria Cancer Support Centre in SW London. Viv is dedicated to the inclusion of complementary therapies within the palliative care sector and is a long term volunteer with the PDCSC Home Visiting Service.

General Information

The AoR Board