BTKD INSTRUCTORS

Experienced, certified, and dedicated to your progress.

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.
Instructor photo

Christie Bytom

Chief Instructor

Chief Instructor, Grading Examiner and Director of Operations at Bytomic Taekwondo. Christie has been training for over 35 years and teaching full time for over 25 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.

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"
Instructor photo

Alex Mindry

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!

Fun Facts
  • Learning guitar
  • Working on being a stuntman
  • Becoming bi-lingual
  • Horse Riding
  • Gymnastics
  • Working Out
Instructor photo

charley gleeson

Charley teaches at our Wokingham club and regularly attends the Winnersh club to train. Charley enjoys teaching the technical aspects of taekwondo, so you’ll be sure to find classes full of new knowledge, interspersed with lots of fitness drills! Charley started taekwondo at age 15 at Bytomic’s Bracknell club.

Fun Facts
  • - I’ve been a keen musician since I first picked up a guitar around age 13 and can now play more than 5 instruments… some better than others!
  • - I also love live music and try to get to concerts and gigs regularly!
  • - I’ve always been a sporty person, before taekwondo I was a ballerina and then played rugby (a weird combination, but both surprisingly come in useful in taekwondo)
  • - While at university, I also trained and competed in Judo, so I love teaching 1 step-sparring and self defence as I get to share skills and techniques from other martial arts!
Instructor photo

Andrew Kinnaird

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
Instructor photo

Andy Griffiths

Andrew is a traditional instructor with a strong emphasis on the technical aspect of the Art. Having run our Central London academy for many years pre-covid, Andy now runs our classes in Liphook, Surrey

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 Liphook, Surrey

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
Instructor photo

Ellie Hiley

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.
Instructor photo

Graham Parks

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.
Instructor photo

Kati Crome

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 and also teaches at our Amersham academy.

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
  • Travelling is one of my favourite things to do and I have visited over 30 countries, including Korea, China and Japan
  • Skiing is a particular holiday favourite and try to ski every year
Instructor photo

Kam Shergill

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 our Maidenhead academy and also runs 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
Instructor photo

Oran Green

Oran teaches at Bytomic Bicester and our newest club - Buckingham, and also covers regularly at other classes - so you'll definitely see him soon! Oran enjoys teaching patterns, padwork and fitness, but most of all loves teaching spinning and jumping kicks!

Oran teaches at Buckingham and Bicester

Fun Facts
  • I have been training with Bytomic since I was 12 years old and achieved my 5th Dan in 2024
  • I used to work in a wine shop - so if you need any recommendations please give me a shout
  • Top 3 favourite films: The Last Samurai, Enter The Dragon and 1917
Instructor photo

Nick Colgate

Nick started training more than 20 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!!

Rhett Pavlik

Rhett started their Tae Kwon Do journey during University in Canterbury and continued as a blue stripe at our Hemel Hempstead academy and has since been training, competing and coaching

Rhett is a primary school teacher by day and loves seeing their students, in both areas, progress and feel proud of themselves

Rhett teaches at our Bushey academy

Fun Facts
  • Rhett is a qualified Guide & Scout leader, achieving the highest level in Guiding and has been part of international events
  • They are half american and spent time living and studying across the MidWest and East Coast
  • Rhett loves theatre and has LAMDA qualifications and improv training, regularly performing locally
  • Their other favourite sport is Formula 1
Instructor photo

Paul Holmes

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.