#267: Serena Gordon – Hoffman UK Founder & Director

Hoffman has been called the ‘Rolls Royce’ of personal development workshops. Frequently in the press and on the radio and in podcasts, we are now in our 28th year in the UK. Our growth has been due to word of mouth as well as the recommendation of therapists, life coaches and people looking to develop human potential. Our 7-day residential course is available around the UK (www.hoffmanprocess.co.uk) and we offer places to around 500 people a year. As well as growing the business, I have also been part of the training of our trainers. I’m also a license holder and Administrator for Hoffman International our global franchise company.

1989-1999 Personal Presentation Ltd

I worked as a corporate trainer with Julia Goodman who founded Personal Presentation ltd. Julia created a unique ‘You brand’ coaching methodology which was ground breaking at the time. Her company continues to work with blue-chip clients today.
As a female entrepreneur, I’ve successfully juggled being a mother with an acting career and running a growing business.

1985-2018 Actress

I have had a varied TV, film and theatre career spanning 33 years. I trained at RADA (colleagues include Ralph Fiennes, Jane Horrocks, Imogen Stubbs, Neil Dudgeon). I spent six months as Superintendent Amanda Prosser in the Bill, was murdered twice in Midsomer Murders and kissed Pierce Brosnan in an Aston Martin in Goldeneye. See separate page for acting credits.

Other skills

For the Hoffman Process, Serena coach all our teachers in voice and breath work. She gave them tips on how to monitor their energy and use the appropriate performance levels to engage an audience over a long period of time. She also uses role-play to help them with their one-to-one skills, building trust, rapport and create a safe place for our clients to do their work.

She hosts regular monthly talks in London and also facilitate all support groups for our Hoffman participants. She has held talks and co-facilitated courses in Ireland, South Africa, Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam. I wrote and co-facilitated a Hoffman workshop specifically for teenagers that we launched at Bedales school in 2013 and hope to include in University programmes.

As the face (and voice) of Hoffman UK, I engage with our social media on a daily basis. I inaugurated the Hoffman magazine and edited the first three issues. A few years ago, she designed the Hoffman App and co-wrote and published a Hoffman 365 day journal. She is currently upgrading her website, work which should be completed this year. In the past year, she has been working with a business consultant on the plan for Hoffman to transition to a not-for-profit organisation and ultimately a charity.