Rhian Persal
Global Communications & Marketing Manager
Born in Sheffield, England, Rhian began her career in the UK working across commercial sales, trade marketing, product launches, FMCG, and product development. During this time, she held roles with Exxon Mobil, United Biscuits (now part of pladis Global), and Lactalis (the world’s No.1 cheese and dairy company).
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In her late 20s, Rhian took time out to travel the world, including a period working with Arnott’s Biscuits. After returning to the UK, she met her Australian husband while living in London and later moved to Australia at 30 to begin the next chapter of life and family.
She stepped away from full-time work for a decade to raise her three children, while remaining actively involved in community and school leadership roles.
Rhian joined ActionCOACH in 2017, supporting Australia and New Zealand across marketing, internal communications, conferences, and partner engagement. Today, she leads global communications and messaging for ActionCOACH global, helping strengthen connection and alignment across the international network.
Fun facts about Rhian
• Rhian grew up in a Welsh-speaking household, where Sundays were famously “Welsh-only” at the dinner table.
• She has lived in four countries — born and raised in the UK, spent part of her childhood in Upstate New York where she attended school for six months, worked as an au pair in the South of France during university, and now calls Brisbane, Australia home.
• A passionate traveller, Rhian has explored extensively across Europe, the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Thailand, and the Pacific Islands — including two months travelling overland across Africa in a 4WD truck. Japan is next on the list.
• She loves hosting and has been crafting cocktails since her 20s, with an ever-growing collection of glasses, spirits, and signature drinks.
• While working for a French cheese company, Rhian’s role included tasting up to 20 bries on a Monday morning and hosting clients in France which included flying them by private jet to tour cheese factories, stay in châteaux, and enjoy spectacular gourmet lunches.