DIRECT ANSWERS LTD is proud to have a team of highly qualified individuals with vast experience and a wealth of knowledge in their perspective fields.

Deena provides the team with the logistical and administrative support as well as her Teaching and Educational responsibilities.   

As a company we have access to a group of high profile speakers and trainers in the Legal, Financial and IT sectors.

Our backbone is teamwork as well as group effort.

Dr AHMED SHOOKA

Director

Dr Shooka is a Consultant Psychiatrist and a Lead Clinician working within the NHS, UK. He is one of the Co-Founders and Director’s of DIRECT ANSWERS LTD; a UK based company for Training and Development. Dr Shooka is a British National of Egyptian origin with thirty years of experience in the field of Psychological and Mental Health both in the UK and abroad. He is also an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Essex, UK. Dr Shooka delivers Educational Training seminars and workshops in UK, Europe and the Middle East, utilising his blend of cultural wealth, clinical knowledge and charismatic character to ensure a high quality standard of Education.

He has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice, UK as a Medical member of the Mental Health Tribunal panel; a role which entails an utmost responsibility and a very high level of expertise within the field of Mental and Psychological health.

His main assets chiefly include being dynamic, a team player and leader, highly motivated and very keen to progress.

Dr Shooka firmly believes that knowledge is power and through empowering people by training, you can get the best out of them enabling them to achieve their goals.

Deena Shooka

Director

Deena is a British National and one of the Director’s of DIRECT ANSWERS LTD; a Training and Development company based in the UK.

She holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology, Culture and Media from the University of Essex, UK (also studying Psychology and Philosophy within her degree), a UK TEFL diploma and a PGCE from the University of Sunderland, UK. Deena has had several work experiences throughout her career, both in the UK and abroad.

Previously, Deena was working in Bahrain in the Education sector as a full time Primary School Teacher, a post she held for 7 years. Within that time, she had the experience of being a Managing Partner for a private company she part-owned in Bahrain (Children’s Activity Centre). Her role involved the daily running and management of the centre including managing a team of staff as well as teaching and dealing with the accounts and all enquiries.

Deena has gained a wealth of experience in the field of management with impressive organisational skills and is able to work under pressure and tackle any task set to her. Deena is a keen advocate for continuous training and professional development.

Dr Mark Tarn

Dr. Tarn is currently employed as Consultant Psychiatrist in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in the independent sector in the UK. 

Prior to this he spent 27 years in government service and occupied a number of senior positions which shaped his leadership style and managerial expertise.

He has gone on to teach Leadership and Management in a number of settings.  In addition to his regular professional commitments he is a Co-Director of a successful Medico-Legal reporting company.

Jamal Dardouk

Jamal is founder and Managing Director of NHL Educational Service, Microsoft IT Academy.  The Academy aims to help the local community to gain the best combination of ICT training, skills, experience and certifications to gain employment successfully within their preferred industry. Jamal has been teaching Information Technology and Management studies for several years.

Jamal was a member in E-ACT board of Directors, E-ACT is a leading Academy sponsor and social enterprise, specialising in the development of world class academies and schools in the UK. He is the President of LAU Alumni London Chapter.

Before joining the Institute of Education, Jamal previously worked in the Hotel and Catering industry and at Schiller International University where he was Assistant Director and Programme Advisor to the school. He taught four subjects to Graduate and Undergraduate students in Business Administration focusing on Accounting, Marketing and Budget Planning  in Hotel and Catering and International Tourism (including front office computer operation and restaurant services).

Jamal holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Hotel Management and International  Tourism from Schiller International University, a PGCE, EdD in Business Studies and Education from University of London now known as UCL (Institute of Education).

Jamal is a member of the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services.

Matthew Croughton 

Matthew has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Mental Health Nursing. He has worked in the field of Mental Health for nine years.

Upon completion of his training, he worked as a Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse and now holds the post of Ward Manager in a busy NHS acute Psychiatric hospital in North Essex.

Matthew has also delivered lectures in Risk Management and De-escalation to nursing students studying at Masters level at The University of Essex. As a person, he thrives on dynamic communication skills and firmly believes that effective leadership is a key component for any successful establishment.

He is currently studying for a Bachelors degree in Planetary Science and Astronomy.

Matthew J. Harvey

Matthew holds a Banking, Finance and Management degree from Loughborough University and is a member of the Institute of Bankers (Ireland).

Matthew’s career path includes working in various personal and corporate insolvency roles for the accountancy practice BDO before then joining Royal Bank of Scotland (“RBS”) where he managed a portfolio of non-performing commercial loans.

Matthew then accepted the opportunity to relocate with Ulster Bank (part of the RBS group) in Dublin, Ireland in a similar role as the impact of the credit crunch and subsequent recession started to bite.

This experience provided a valuable insight into a number of key considerations including the management of working capital, profitability and balance sheet management – and importantly, why businesses fail.

In 2014 Matthew established Ferndale Advisory with a remit to assist businesses in areas such as fund raising, the preparation of business plans, negotiations with banks and financial institutions and general business operations and practices.

Matthew regularly presents on topics such as Property Investment/Development, Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency, the Raising of Finance, Business Plan Writing and Business Start up. Matthew is able to offer consultancy services on related topics.   

                  "We Train, You Gain"