Our story

Established in the 1980s as Edgware Skills Centre, Personal Improvement Ltd (PIL) has a long and proud history of empowering individuals through education, training, and support. As the first Learndirect Centre in North London, we have delivered high-quality training, assessments, careers advice, and internal quality assurance to a wide range of organisations, including further education colleges, local authorities, and community projects.

In 2004, we rebranded as Personal Improvement Ltd, and in 2006, Anna Papakosta became CEO and Company Director. We have remained dedicated to providing expert careers advice and support through training, coaching, and mentoring—helping individuals confidently navigate their job search and achieve success in their chosen careers.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for people with disabilities. We actively promote positive mental health across our organisation and community, ensuring a safe and welcoming space for all. As a London Living Wage Employer, we are committed to fair and equitable pay for our staff, and as signatories of the Fair Payment Code, we ensure suppliers and contractors are paid fairly and promptly.

As a 100% woman-led organisation, we are passionate about breaking down barriers and empowering women in the workplace, while inspiring individuals to realise their potential, develop their skills, and achieve their goals.

We are proud partners of the National Careers Service, delivering essential careers guidance to adults to help them explore opportunities, develop skills, and secure meaningful employment. We work closely with local Job Centres to support individuals back into work and learning.

Our quality and standards are reflected in our Matrix Accreditation, ensuring excellence in information, advice, and guidance. We hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification, demonstrating our strong commitment to protecting systems and data.

We collaborate with a wide network of trusted partners to deliver high-quality training, qualifications, and career support. We are a registered Exam and Assessment Centre for AAT, ACCA, BCS, BTL, ESOL (Trinity College), Digital College, Highfield, and many more.

Our offices are located at Cavendish House, 369 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, HA8 5AW.