Meet our Instructors
Every black belt was once a WHITE BELT that refused to give up.
Meet our Instructors
Every black belt was once a WHITE BELT that refused to give up.
Our dynamic team of instructors all started as Bytomic TKD students, with their love and passion for the art of Tae Kwon Do developing into a wish to pass on what they have learned. They have all experienced, first hand, the benefits that regular training can bring and it is with honour and pride that they choose to devote their time to inspiring others to share their paths in martial arts.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, our chief instructors continually develop teaching styles and techniques in accordance with modern sports science and our instructor training is continuing and constant. All instructors are fully insured, DBS checked and first aid qualified.
Christie Bytom
5th DAN
Christie Bytom
5th DAN
Chief Instructor, Grading Examiner and Director of Operations at Bytomic Taekwondo. Christie has been training for over 30 years and teaching full time for over 15 years. World Silver medalist in patterns along with numerous British and English titles, Christie's high standards in the technical elements of Tae Kwon Do are carried through into the maintenance of high standards within the organisation.
Christie teaches at High Wycombe
Fun Facts
- I started training in WTF Tae Kwon Do with the Gurkhas in Hong Kong (where I grew up) and finished most classes in tears due to being scared, in pain or after being hit (which had absolutely no effect on my mum's determination to arm me with self defence skills)
- I studied Law at Oxford University and became a qualified solicitor, practising family law for a number of years before giving it up to teach Tae Kwon Do full time
- Teaching Highlight: Seeing a young autistic student's parents shed tears as he completed his first grading. It is a true joy to see students celebrate their achievements.
- Teaching Lowlight: Being told that "You've taught my Grandma" during a school taster day (I've been doing this too long!)
- Favourite Quote: "Our classes are akin to a watering hole in the desert. Many will pass by, some will stay for a while, some will stay longer but while they are with us we will nourish and feed them and set them up for their journey ahead"
Alex Mindry
3rd DAN
Alex Mindry
3rd DAN
Having progressed through our High Wycombe and Amersham Academies, Alex is one of our keenest competitors, winning medals at Local, National and International levels. e.g silver at the last US Open Championships in 2010.
With a gymnastic background, Alex is interested in the acrobatic side of martial arts as well as the technical side and is keen to pass on his enthusiasm (understatement of the year!) for Tae Kwon Do and its benefits to all who are interested!
Alex teaches at Chalfonts
FUN FACTS
Andrew Kinnaird
5th Dan
Andrew Kinnaird
5th Dan
Andrew is one of our Senior Instructors and Examiners. He is a great motivator and teaches in a manner true to his own experience as a student.
Andrew has a keen interest, and has developed great experience, in the practical applications of martial arts, particularly in the area of one step and self defence.
Andrew also teaches regular Bo Staff and Escrima Stick seminars for all students.
Andrew teaches at Abingdon & Thame and Long Crendon
FUN FACTS
- I keep marine fish and I also have a peacock mantis shrimp
- Favourite films - Aliens and Star Wars (the new one is epic)
- Guns & Roses, AC/DC and Gorillaz are a few of my favourite music artists
- I work as senior scientist at a diabetic health care firm
- To keep up my cardio I enjoy running - I once completed the 3 peaks challenge and ran 5 miles in the Red Man Self Defence suit for charity
Andy Griffiths
4th DAN
Andy Griffiths
4th DAN
Andrew is a traditional instructor with a strong emphasis on the technical aspect of the Art. Despite the transient nature of London, Andy has cultivated a club with incredibly loyal students and a great community spirit.
His own enthusiasm for attending Bytomic events means that his students are also great supporters of tournament and seminars, thereby widening and enhancing their learning experience.
Andy teaches in Central London
FUN FACTS
- I am currently learning Slovak as a second language
- I have the ability to break-dance and I will rise to any challengers
- Skiing is a favourite activity of mine and I can't wait to get away again to ski with some amazing views
- I once had a movie star's son attend my Tae Kwon Do class in London (I won't name drop in case paparazzi storm my class)
- I am a huge sci-fi fan
Cliff Turner
4TH DAN
Cliff Turner
4TH DAN
Cliff started training over 15 years ago with his wife and four children - all of whom have attained their black belts. As a family man himself, his clubs have a great family atmosphere where each family member can train hard and yet have fun together.
His classes have a great emphasis on fitness and strength and his students are not afraid of training hard!
Cliff gave up being a scout leader to become an Instructor and his experience has been invaluable in helping us to run our annual Kids Camp event for 30-50 children.
Cliff teaches at Amersham & Maidenhead
FUN FACTS
- During the week I run local boot camps and fitness workouts
- I run a family business and we specialise in loft conversions : CJ Turner and Sons
- My favourite holiday destinations are...anywhere hot!
- Before I became a BTKD instructor I was a scout leader
- I am covered in tattoos from my neck to my toes.
Edward Bowen
3rd Dan
Edward Bowen
3rd Dan
Edward started training at the age of 7, inspired by seeing his godmother, Louise May do the martial art for so long and achieving her black belt. Over 13 years later he is still training and enjoying teaching the Guildford club.
He gets the most satisfaction out of not only seeing his students progress into competent practitioners, but also evolving as people. His favourite thing to teach is breaking and self-defence.
Edward teaches at Guildford.
fun facts
- I have been working as an IT Support technician since leaving college
- My favourite music genre is Metal
- I am interested in nature and Biology and learnt about it through GCSE and A levels
- I enjoy exercising and improving my physical and mental fitness
- I like watching and playing rugby
Ellie Hiley
3rd Dan
Ellie Hiley
3rd Dan
Ellie started training, aged 6, with her father (Richard) and older brother in 2003. She is a perfect example of how Tae Kwon Do can develop from a simple hobby into something that has a much more profound influence.
Ellie made the transition from training a couple of times a week as a young child, to training almost every day as a black belt, to assisting the Instructor at Princes Risborough and now to opening her own club. A keen competitor, having taken part in a number of tournaments including Bytomic, International and National, Ellie is now excited to pass on her passion for sparring and the art.
Ellie teaches at Chinnor
fun facts
- I was a Visual Arts student and I now specialise in Graphic Design.
- I became PUMA World Champion 2015 in Cadet Black Belt Non-Sinewave patterns and I also became PUMA English Champion 2015 in the Womens heavy weight black belt sparring
- I was accepted to trial for Team GB's WTF Squad in Manchester.
- Live music is something that I couldn't live without. I have seen over 47 acts live across the UK and my favourite music festival is Reading.
Graham Parks
5th dan
Graham Parks
5th dan
Graham is one of our full-time Senior Instructors and Examiners at Bytomic Tae Kwon Do. Many of his students have gone on to become instructors themselves - a testament to the great sense of community that Graham nurtures in his clubs. His classes are known for being friendly and fun whilst upholding all the traditional values and standards of our Art.
Graham teaches at Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead & Princes Risborough
FUN FACTS
- I have competed in many international tournaments (Ireland, Spain, USA) and also in national tournaments including PUMA Bristish Championships and BTKD Open Tournaments
- I currently have over 30 black belts training from Aylesbury, Princes Risborough and Hemel Hempstead
- Greatest Taekwondo achievement - seeing students come through from white belt to black belt and eventually opening their own clubs.
- I have raced in motor-cross races across the UK including a few beach races.
- Before I became an instructor I was a commentator for British Eurosport TV on motorcross events.
Helen Gevaux
4th dan
Helen Gevaux
4th dan
Helen's Tae Kwon Do journey has run alongside her academic and professional career, as she started training in Oxford as a teenager, began teaching in Reading during her time as a student at the University and started our Wokingham academy while qualifying as a solicitor.
Known for her highly aesthetic technical knowledge and ability, Helen is able to inspire students by example to become the best practitioners possible. Her attention to detail encourages students to set high standards for themselves, physically, mentally and technically.
Helen teaches at Wokingham
Fun Facts
- I took up Tae Kwon Do in 2000 and started teaching in 2005. I spent a year living and training in France and Austria in 2004-2005
- Outside of TKD, my interests include yoga, travelling, cooking/baking and generally trying all things foodie.
- In 2015 I fulfilled a lifetime ambition of going on safari in Africa
- My husband (also a black belt in TKD) and I also ride horses (a bit, badly) and do Latin American and Ballroom dancing (slightly less badly)
- My sporting heroes include Jessica Ennis and Valentino Rossi
Kam Shergill
4TH DAN
Kam Shergill
4TH DAN
Kam has trained in Tae Kwon Do, and other martial arts, for many years taking it back up again with his son and daughter (both of whom have acheived their black belts as well).
Kam has gained great experience, having trained under a number of instructors, and has a traditional style, ensuring his classes reflect all the positive aspects of martial arts. He is a great all-round practitioner of Tae Kwon Do, enjoying sparring, breaking and patterns and still trains religiously with his children.
Kam teaches a club in Reading affiliated to the Singh Sabha Gurdwara (Sikh Temple). It is run as a community group providing over 60 children and young adults with an opportunity to get fit and learn the moral values of our Art.
FUN FACTS
- I used to be able to do the Rubiks Cube in under 2 mins, but can't complete it at all now!
- I support Liverpool FC
- I am a bit of a programming geek
- I speak fluent Punjabi
- I am a proud co-owner of two black belts kids
Kati Crome
2ND DAN
Kati Crome
2ND DAN
Kati started training at our Aylesbury and Princes Risborough classes with her son Charlie, daughter Matilda and husband Gerald, all of whom have achieved their Black Belts. Kati will welcome families of all ages to train with her and all students will enjoy her friendly yet traditional approach to training.
Kati started assisting the instructor at Princes Risborough before running an after school club at Great Missenden Primary School and then opening our club at Great Missenden.
FUN FACTS
- I started my career as a graphic designer at the BBC, and then became a Post Production and Special FX Producer in Soho until 1998.
- I then retrained and am now a Garden Designer and have won a Gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show
- I am part of the black belt training family at Princes Risborough (my husband, daughter and son have all achieved their black belt)
- Travelling is one of my favourite things to do and I have visited over 30 countries, including Korea and China (I would love to visit Japan)
- Skiing is a particular holiday favourite and try to ski every year
Matthew Wilshaw
4TH DAN
Matthew Wilshaw
4TH DAN
Matthew started training in Tae Kwon Do as a child and the Martial Art has continued to be an influential part of his life so far. A very keen and capable student with a dedicated approach to training and teaching, he enjoys sharing his passion for all aspects of the Art with others of ages.
Matthew brings a young, modern and fresh approach to his new classes in Wendover.
FUN FACTS
- I have recently taken up darts and worked my way up to play at County level for Buckinghamshire. I have played in a number of County matches and generally enjoy the sport for it's social factor.
- My Taekwondo career began when I was 7 years old and achieved my 4th Dan at the age of 19. That makes me the youngest Bytomic student to have achieved that grade.
- Arsenal is the best football team in the world...Mr Colgate might disagree "Come on you Gunners!"
- Over my Taekwondo career I have been awarded the Overall Junior Student of the year (twice), 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at Bytomic Tournaments and I have also competed at the PUMA Championships.
- My favourite aspects of Taekwondo are patterns and pad work.
Nick Colgate
4TH DAN
Nick Colgate
4TH DAN
Nick started training more than 15 years ago (in his late 30s) at our Reading academy and teaches at our Winnersh Academy, which is now one of our larger clubs. He is a prime example of how Taekwondo can benefit students of all ages and is always keen to develop new skills.
Nick has a friendly, attentive and professional approach to teaching and enjoys passing on knowledge and sharing the benefits of our Art - he also teaches morning Tae Kwon Do classes in local primary schools.
Nick teaches at Winnersh
FUN FACTS
- Love Family & Friends
- Big “Spurs” Fan – COYS!!
- Love Illustrated Books – associated with a great publisher - TASCHEN
- Big Film lover – favourite film of all time for me – “Top Gun”, I feel the need………….. the need for Speed!!”
- Comedy keeps me going too – Jim Carey in the “Mask” makes me laugh so much!!
Nicola Carr
Nicola Carr
Nicola Carr started training with her son and daughter at our Hemel Hempstead. She is now a 3rd Dan black belt who regularly attends seminars, tournaments and makes as many classes as possible. Recently, Nicola has taken up the role of instructor at our Watford club and looks forward to training with you on Tuesdays.
FUN FACTS
- In the autumn of 2002 I joined Bytomic's Hemel Hempstead academy as the 6th member, soon after my son and daughter (4th and 5th)
- I took part in my first running event this year, a 10k which I was happy to complete without stopping
- I have walked the equivalent of round the world with my dog - he is now 12 and tiring a bit!
- I don't like milk or eggs unless they are well disguised, ideally in a cake or pudding
- I love Christmas Pudding and buy several extra each year for big family dinners, my birthday and whenever I feel the time is right!
Oran Green
3rd dan
Oran Green
3rd dan
Oran works in the Bytomic office and helps organise events, gradings and tournaments. He and Christie will be your first point of contact in the office.
Oran teaches at Bicester
FUN FACTS
- I have been playing in covers bands for over 6 years as a bassist. I've performed at weddings, birthdays, functions and I've also stepped in for other bands needing a bass player.
- I also am part of an originals band called "Callow Saints" and we've written and played together for nearly 3 years at venues and festivals across the UK including Camden, Oxford, Aylesbury and High Wycombe and we have also toured in the USA (Jacksonville, Florida)
- All time favourite musicians: Bob Dylan, Arctic Monkeys, Tom Waits, The Libertines, Cherokee and Pulp.
Paul Holmes
5th dan
Paul Holmes
5th dan
Paul has been teaching Taekwondo as a full-time profession since September 2001 and is a Senior Instructor and Examiner. Paul takes a keen interest in the technical aspects of the art and has a very thorough approach to his teaching. Paul values the tradition of martial arts and is passionate about Tae Kwon Do maintaining its discipline and customs.
As with many of the Bytomic instructors, Paul has an active role in the community and education through self defence courses alongside his instruction.
Paul teaches at Oxford and Marlow
FUN FACTS
- I am a qualified life-guard
- If you'd like to learn how to swim I am also a Level Two swim teacher
- As well as cycling and Taekwondo I also am an open water swimmer
- I have taken part in a few triathlons (to Iron Man distances)
- I've been teaching Taekwondo for 20 years and have seen students from all ages, abilities and walks of life progress, achieve and grow into mature adults.
Richard Hiley
3RD DAN
Richard Hiley
3RD DAN
Richard began training with his son and daughter (Ellie) at our Princes Risborough and Aylesbury clubs and took over as Instructor of our Witney club a few years ago. Richard embodies all that a Black Belt role model should be : maintaining regular training and is always on hand to help out students and other instructors at events and tournaments.
Richard is keen to pass on to others the benefits that Taekwondo has brought to him and his family and his enthusiasm and positive attitude is infectious!
Richard teaches at Witney
FUN FACTS
- I enjoy teaching children and adult students, as I believe Taekwondo is for all ages and abilities.
- I have been an instructor since 2009 and I love passing on my knowledge and teaching at my own club.
- Cows - for a living I am part of the senior management team,where we design and develop products for milking cows.
- I can make a pun or joke out of anything! (Come to my class and I'll show you)
Sekhar Kumar
4th Dan
Sekhar Kumar
4th Dan
Sekhar started training as a teenager at our High Wycombe Academy and, like for many young adults, Tae Kwon Do helped him to gain confidence and find direction and ambition. Sekhar has high standards for himself in terms of his technical performance and knowledge of the Art and we are sure this will inspire students to better themselves within the Art, and outside, mirroring his own many achievements in gradings and tournaments.
Sekhar teaches at Windsor
Simon Keen
2nd Dan
Simon Keen
2nd Dan
Simon started training in his late 30’s after his son started training with BTKD at the Winnersh academy. Simon got bored watching him and wanted to join in which he did and the rest is history! Both Simon and his son Toby are now 2nd Dan Black Belts and train at Winnersh.
Simon works shift in London but tries to train as much as he can during the week even when he gets up at 3:30am to go to work. When not working or training Simon enjoys experimental cooking, watching documentaries’ on TV, especially nature and wildlife, spending time with his children and his favourite hobby of sleeping! Simon enjoys the technical side of TKD and really gets enjoyment from seeing students get to grips with a new pattern or understanding particular move. FUN FACTS
Done a 12’000ft solo freefall parachute jump for charity and has also done two bungee jumps from his ankles (but hates heights with a passion!)
Holds a Private Pilots Licence (loves flying to the Isle of Wight)
Has a Degree from the University of Wales (Swansea) in Physics & Medical Physics
Favourite foods – Steak & Chips, Cheese, Crisps and Tomatoes.
Had more operations & medical procedures than he cares to mention but if you’ve got a spare few hours I’m sure he will tell you all about them!