Instructor Bio
Mark - Lead instructor and Founder

My name is Mark and i am the Lead Instructor and Founder of Best Foot Forward.
I am 32 years old and am based in the West London area. I have been skateboarding since I was a young teenager and have over a decade of experience on a skateboard.
Skateboarding is a huge passion of mine for both the technical skills and wider sense of community and culture it brings to my life.
Outside skateboarding I have spent close to 10 years working and managing in the NHS as Operational Lead and Practice Manager roles of multiple Medical Centres in North West London.
During this time with the NHS I was managing upwards of 20 Clinical and Non Clinical employees during the recent challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
My time managing in the NHS has given me a focus on safety, quality and process led development and I aim to bring that approach to the thing I the love most – Skateboarding.
With a keen interest for developing people's skills in and out of a work environment I made the decision to combine my work skill set with my passion for Skateboarding and launch Best Foot Forward Skate Academy and have loved every minute since.
Skateboarding is a demanding activity with lots of challenges but can also be one of the most rewarding activities you can do and I believe everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality or age should be helped to feel confident to take their first steps into the skating world.
I cant wait to help all of you on your skateboarding journey and look forward to seeing you on board.
Skate Profile
Age: 32
Stance: Goofy
Current Board set up: 8” deck, Tight Hollow trucks, 53mm hard wheels
Skate style: I like to mix technical flip tricks with transition skating (Ramps) and multiple stances.
Favourite Skateboarders: Guy Mariano, JB Gillet , Daewon Song
Favourite Tricks: Nollie Kickflip and Frontside Shuv-it

My Certificates
- Skateboard GB Certified Coach - Coaching certification issued by Great Britain's official governing body which also means I am fully Insured to teach anywhere in the UK.
- Advanced DBS checked
- Safeguarding Adults Level 2
- Safeguarding Children Level 2
- Equality, Diversity and Human Rights
- Health, Safety and Welfare
- First Aid Trained
All Certificates are available upon request where needed and I am constantly looking to add to my learning portofolio


