The original and largest network of part-time performing arts schools for 4-18 year olds

Stephanie developed the idea of a national network of performing arts schools for young people after identifying a gap in the market for quality tuition in dance, drama and singing - all in one place. This led to the founding of the first Stagecoach school in 1988 with David Sprigg. Stephanie has primarily been responsible for establishing and maintaining the Stagecoach brand and setting the ethos and high standards of tuition.

Previous to Stagecoach, Stephanie had spent a lifetime of involvement in theatre as a performer, writer, director and teacher. Early credits include TV appearances in Lytton's Diary, Three Up Two Down, Hold the Back Page. Writing credits include Book and Lyrics of 'Punch', performed by Chichester Festival Studio Company and 'The Everyday Opera' - a prize-winning one-act play.

Stephanie is a Licentiate of the London Academy of Dramatic Art and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

David co-founded Stagecoach in 1988 with Stephanie Manuel. Having failed in his chosen career of rock star, David enjoyed 13 years with Barclays Bank, latterly as a lending manager in the West End, before being rescued by Stephanie to co-found Stagecoach. David has primarily been responsible for establishing the systems and procedures of Stagecoach and managing the franchise operations. David is responsible for the operational side of the business, including managing the franchise network.

If his Stagecoach commitments ever allow it, he will pursue his hobbies of music and motorsport, and spend more time with his wife Dee.

David is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Manzoor Ishani, a solicitor specializing in international and UK franchising for more than 30 years, was appointed to the Board in 2002. He has assisted franchisors in 30 countries, and spoken extensively in the UK and overseas and written numerous books and articles on franchising. A former Advisory Editor of the Journal of International Franchising and Distribution Law, and a member of the Legal Committee of the British Franchise Association he is a Practicing Associate of the Academy of Experts, International Practice Advisor to the John Marshall Law School (Chicago) and Member of the Board of Advisors of the Suffolk University Law School, (Boston). For Stagecoach, Manzoor is responsible for franchise development, international operations and management it's German Division.

Richard qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1995, and he was corporate finance manager at the Bank of Scotland from 1995 to 1998. He co-founded a price comparison shopping website in 1999, before joining Thomson Intermedia as its Finance Director where he was responsible for managing its flotation in 2000. Richard joined the Board of Stagecoach Theatre Arts in 2001 to manage the flotation process and carry out the duties of Finance Director.

Richard is responsible for all financial aspects of Stagecoach, helping our franchisees with their businesses, overseeing the investor relations, and managing our US and Canadian Stagecoach operations.

Veronica Bennetts is a musician whose career spans teaching, composing, performing and directing. She trained at Homerton College, Cambridge. She holds a Master of Education degree in Arts in Education and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She founded the Jigsaw Music Theatre and the Jigsaw Community Theatre in Chester, where she was also Musical Director of the Chester Mystery Plays. Veronica has written, compiled and piloted material for BBC television, including directing live transmissions of her work and judging new hymns for Songs of Praise.

Veronica has wide experience in Music Education. She has taught across the age-range in a variety of schools and colleges. She is Stagecoach's Director of Education and the founder of The Midlands Choir, composing commissioned works for The Dome, Coventry Cathedral, The Queen's Jubilee, Sadler's Wells and The Royal Albert Hall.

Michael graduated with an honours degree in Law and English and holds a PGCE in English. Michael is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). For The Stagecoach Charitable Trust, of which InterAct is the lead project, Michael has been responsible for developing workshop opportunities for disadvantaged children. Before joining Stagecoach in 2000, Michael ran RE:ACTORS, a theatre company. Previously, he was a Marketing Manager at American Express and also spent some time serving as a police officer for The Metropolitan Police in London.

Michael is also a partner and co-founder of The Performance Business - an arts based training company, offering role-play services for businesses and individuals.

Nicola trained at Bush Davies and Guildhall in London before working on board P&O cruise liners as an Entertainments Officer & dancer. Back in London she went into recruitment, publishing and PR before having children. She then pursued an acting career, alongside joining Stagecoach at its inception helping out on a part-time basis with the Agency and PR and eventually becoming a Stagecoach Principal and running schools for 13 years. She became part of the Stagecoach Franchise team in 2005 and sold her schools in order to become Senior Franchise Manager, working with a dedicated team of Franchise Managers supporting the Stagecoach network.

Matthew started his career working in London's West End as a stage manager where he worked on several large musicals including; Oliver! and Starlight Express. After a year working at the Millennium Dome, he was looking for a more permanent position and found the job of Events Manager for Stagecoach in the Stage newspaper. Nine years later, he finds his role of events manager has a very broad spectrum. His responsibilities include; managing all large scale events run from Head Office, overseeing the annual production Easy Stages, and arranging all conference and meeting venues. On top of all the events Matt jointly manages the Stagecoach Surrey Performing Arts Schools from Head Office in Walton on Thames, consisting of 10 main schools and 11 Early Stages.

Zeena joined Stagecoach in 2010 having previously held the roles of Head of Marketing & Development at Arts Educational Schools London and East 15 Acting School. Her specialities include web and brand development, social media marketing, youth vocational performing arts education, student recruitment and offline print management. For the last 12 years she has worked within the performing arts and educational sectors having spent earlier years as an professional Actor and Agent's assistant. In 2004 Zeena set up E15 Management, an artist's agent which created a platform for newly qualified actors and performers leaving drama school gaining them work in national theatres, TV dramas and feature films.

Zeena regularly holds marketing seminars for Stagecoach Franchises nationwide.

Following drama college, and five years as a member of The National Youth Theatre, Polly founded her own theatre company where she co-produced and acted in several productions funded by the Arts 4 Everyone National Lottery Fund. Before joining Stagecoach, Polly previously worked for Bigfoot Theatre Company, a children's arts education company. As Creative Producer and Company Manager Polly set up the core infrastructure of the company, managed a team of 10 full time staff and over 50 freelance facilitators. She was creatively involved with the writing of courses and workshops for schools and produced several children's theatre tours across the country. In 2006 Polly joined Stagecoach to develop the concept of Stagecoach Parties - a creative and magical experience for children. The parties are available in many areas nationwide and serve as an excellent introduction to the full Stagecoach experience.