Meet the Team

Tom King

Tom has worked in the learning industry since his days working at ASK Learning in Sydney. In 2003, Tom relocated to Singapore to start ASK Learning’s Asia business. In 2012, with long-time accomplice Nick Dorney, Tom founded Up 2 Speed, where today he acts as Managing Director and is focused on driving the sales side of the business globally. In 2019, Tom agreed to become a shareholder in Explore Performance and acts in a consulting capacity for the business.

Did you know? Tom keeps busy looking after his family which includes 4 kids and 2 dogs. He does not get much sleep.

Nick Dorney

Nick started his career with ASK Learning in Sydney in 2005, and in 2007 relocated to Singapore to help drive the Asia business. Along with Tom King, Nick left ASK Learning to start Up 2 Speed where today he is the Director of Sales & Operations. In 2019 Nick also agreed to become a shareholder in Explore Performance where he helps drive both the sales & operational efficiency.

Did you know? Nick is a keen cricketer for the Singapore Cricket Club and in 2019 was selected to play some international matches for Singapore.

Gene Whitlock

Gene has worked with both Tom King & Nick Dorney for over 15 years and today is recognized as Asia’s number 1 Corporate Artist. Gene leads Up 2 Speed’s vaunted corporate art / heART team. Gene also remains hands-on in his role and is an outstanding live graphic recorder, animator, and video producer/director.

Did you know? Gene is also a published author of Graphic Novels, and also had a leading role in Singaporean Kung Fu short movie – “Bounty” (rated R).

Jim Wagstaff

Jim used to be a long-time client of Tom and Nick’s but these days is Up 2 Speed’s leading Sales Consultant globally. Alongside this, Jim is also a non-executive director of Up 2 Speed and provides strategic advice & guidance on the running of Up 2 Speed. Having held senior regional roles with companies like Brocade, Dell, and HP, Jim comes with heavyweight experience in leadership & sales that is accessible to our clients. Jim is fantastic at customization of content and also in creating content from scratch. Alongside this Jim is recognized as being one of the world-leading facilitators of training.

Did you know? Jim is a proponent of Jujitsu & mixed martial arts, but at 6ft8 if you take him on you will need to get on his inside.

Martin Gregory

Brings the Rock’n’Roll element to Up Speed, Martin is one of Up 2 Speed’s leading sales consultants & facilitators. Based out of Sydney, Martin tends to spend most of his time on a plane travelling to all corners of the world for various engagements. Martin worked for Microsoft for 20 years in their channels business, and also assisted in their transition to selling Cloud / SaaS solutions, hence brings serious expertise to the table in these areas.

Did you know? Martin is a motorbike enthusiast and was a former racing car driver.

Lillian Tan

Known as the Kaiser for the strict adherence to our clients' processes & timelines, Lillian leads the Up 2 Speed Digital Design team, of which there are 35 members. Alongside leading this team, Lillian is also hands-on as Asia’s most experienced eLearning / Digital Asset Instructional Designer. The modules that Lillian designs would win multiple awards globally if only we weren’t so dam busy and had time to go through the nominations processes.

Did you know? Lillian engages in lots of charity work through her church and is in the process of raising two daughters who are achieving some seriously good results at school - future Up 2 Speed recruits?

Tom Cooke

Tom is the founder & Managing Director of Explore Performance and is also a shareholder in Up 2 Speed, where he acts in a sales capacity. After graduation from Leeds University Tom set out on a Gap year travelling Asia where he met Tom & Nick, who managed to convince him to not go home and join the team. Tom is widely considered the best young sales talent in Asia, and one of the leading entrepreneurs under the age of 30.

Did you know? Tom is a keen Rugby Union supporter and plays for the Singapore Cricket Club where in 2018 he kicked a penalty goal after the siren (with a hangover) to win the grand final that year.

Michael Beruldsen

Michael started his career at ASK Learning in Sydney in the 1990s, as a learning coordinator before moving to Beijing to start the companies China operations. After leaving ASK, Michael started the very successful learning consultancy People to Perform in Beijing. In 2016 Michael moved to Munich, Germany, where he agreed to start and run Up 2 Speed Europe.

Did you know? Michael is fluent in Mandarin, and went to university in Beijing in 1990, is one of the first foreign students to study in China. Michael is also in the process of learning German.

Ajay Rao

Ajay runs the Up 2 Speed India office, based in Pune, India. Having worked with Tom & Nick for almost 20 years, Ajay was an early supporter of Up 2 Speed, before agreeing to an Indian joint venture in 2016. A top instructional designer in his own right, Ajay leads the most talented team of instructional designers, graphic designer, and programmers in India.

Did you know? Ajay is a huge cricket fan and dog lover. If you ever visit Ajay in Pune, ask him for a tour of the Osho Ashram.

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