Andrew Bernard
"Every teacher is a careers teacher. Yes, even you."
Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard is a nationally recognised figure in the world of careers and enterprise skills, making an impressive name for himself in that productive spot where the world of business meets the world of education.
His inspiring message is that everything we teach and every attitude we model contribute in some way to helping young people become the adult they have the potential to be.

And if it isn’t moving them towards their potential, we have to be careful it is not moving them away.
An inspirational and experienced speaker whether he's in front of children, teachers or the business community, Bernie highlights the skills and traits we need to develop in young people to best prepare them for whatever lies ahead. In doing so, he makes it very clear, we must never lose sight of our need to build ethical, honest, compassionate human adults, now more than ever.
Call us on +44(0)1267 211432 or email learn@independentthinking.co.uk for a chat about Bernie's prices, current availability and how to save money when you book.
Bernie’s journey into the world of education has not been straightforward. He is a warning to us all to ensure, if you are going to climb the ladder, that you put it against the right wall to begin with. After over twenty successful years in the world of business, his wife eventually pointed out that his talents would be better employed helping young people. She was right.
Since 2006, Bernie has been a man on a mission, speaking directly to teachers, young people and parents as well as helping schools learn the secrets of developing transformational collaborations with local, national and international businesses.
He is a co-director of the hugely successful annual Careers Week events and is the author of The Ladder: Supporting students towards successful futures and confident career choices published by the Independent Thinking Press. In the foreword, by Dame Kelly Homes, she sums up neatly the mission Bernie is on, to help all children ‘unearth their diamonds’.
Apart from his work around work skills, business links and careers development, Bernie is also in demand to speak to young people on important topics that are often overlooked in a traditional PSHE or RSE curriculum.
Born out of personal experience and tragedy, he is able to speak openly and with great impact on topics such as domestic violence, the treatment of women and testicular cancer (yes, it can affect boys).
Apart from his work as an entertaining, engaging and expert speaker, he also brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to his work with schools, helping teachers of all phases be the careers teacher they didn’t think they were but that their children need.
Andrew Bernard In His Own Words
"Wherever you are in life, you probably took a long time and circuitous path to get there. I’m hoping that you, like me, will want to help young people take a more direct path to their future success and happiness”
- Bernie has been with Independent Thinking since January 2022
- You'll find his work in our Teaching and Learning and Well-Being topic areas
- Bernie is one of our New Voices
Call us on +44(0)1267 211432 or email learn@independentthinking.co.uk for a chat about Bernie's prices, current availability and how to save money when you book.
Make a booking, ask a question, panic. All acceptable.
Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
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