OTD appoints Rebecca Farnworth as new managing director

Rebecca will succeed founders Chris Cummins and Andy Crotty, who will transition to new roles focused on business development, product innovation, and community partnerships.

Rebecca brings nearly 20 years of senior management experience, having held positions at leading pharmaceutical companies such as Almirall and GlaxoSmithKline. 

She joined OTD in 2014, where she has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, overseeing account management and customer experience, and supporting the expansion into new sectors including electronics, sports retail, and cosmetics.

Most recently, Rebecca served as head of operations, managing OTD’s global network of more than 120 associate business coaches. She is also qualified in neuro-linguistic programming as a business practitioner.

Rebecca Farnworth said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this role and lead OTD into the next chapter. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Chris and Andy and working with our talented team to continue delivering world-class learning and development solutions for our customers.”

Chris Cummins, joint founder of OTD, said: “We’re thrilled to have Becky step into the role of managing director. She has excelled in key strategic positions within the business and with her deep understanding of our company and its values, is a perfect fit to lead us forward.”

Since its founding in 2007, OTD has been a leading provider of leadership and development training, serving a diverse range of customers from SMEs to blue-chip companies. Headquartered in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, it employs a core team of almost 20 employees and trains c.4,000 delegates globally each year. 

In 2024, OTD earned City & Guilds Assured for its bespoke training programmes, and received a platinum accreditation from Investors in People, recognising its exceptional workplace culture.

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