Stephanie Austin is the founder of Prima Cura Training, a specialist provider of First Aid, Health and Safety, and Social Care training across all industry sectors. With a background in Health and Social Care, Steph delivers both core mandatory and specialist courses, including OFSTED approved paediatric and three day First Aid courses, tailoring every session to the client’s industry and organisational policies to ensure learning is relevant, applicable and memorable.
Her reputation is built on quality, integrity and a commitment to creating a skilled workforce that drives safety, wellbeing and long term success through meaningful and people focused training.
Winning the Health and Wellbeing Leader category at the Biz Women Awards 2025 recognised Stephanie Austin’s leadership and impact in training and wellbeing. In the interview below, she shares her values, challenges and future ambitions.
What does winning this award represent for you at this moment in your journey
Winning this award feels like a real milestone in my journey.
It represents the years of hard work spent building Prima Cura Training with purpose, integrity, and a genuine commitment to improving health, safety and wellbeing. At this moment, it feels like recognition not just of what I do, but why I do it, which is the most important part, thats to equip people with skills that genuinely make a difference. It’s both affirming and motivating as I look ahead to what’s next.
What key experiences or decisions shaped the path that brought you to this point
The biggest influence has been hands on experience. Working directly with people across different sectors showed me very quickly that training only works when it’s relevant, engaging and delivered with care.
I made a conscious decision very early on to move away from tick box training and build Prima Cura Training around real world scenarios, confidence and connection.
That choice has shaped everything we do and ultimately brought me to this point.
What challenge has pushed you to grow the most and what did you learn from that experience
One of the biggest challenges has been stepping away from doing everything myself and learning to trust others as the business grew.
Letting go wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to become a better leader rather than just a practitioner. I learned that growth isn’t about control, it’s about building the right team, setting clear standards and empowering people to deliver work they’re proud of.
What milestone or breakthrough moment helped shape the direction of your career or business
One key milestone was when demand for our training grew beyond what I could deliver alone.
That moment forced me to step into the role of business owner and leader, not just trainer. It changed how I approached growth, systems and team development, and set the foundation for where the business is today.
How do you aim to create meaningful impact within your industry or community
Impact, for me, comes from challenging the idea that training is just a compliance exercise.
Through Prima Cura Training, I work to shift expectations, showing that high quality, engaging training can improve confidence, wellbeing and accountability. If that encourages organisations to take learning more seriously, the ripple effect extends far beyond the classroom.
What values guide the way you work and lead, and how have they influenced your success
Integrity, quality and care guide everything I do.
I believe in doing things properly, even when it takes longer, and treating people with respect, whether that’s clients, learners or the team around me. Those values have shaped trust, consistency and long term relationships, which have been central to the success of both my leadership and the business.
What do you believe has contributed most to your success in this award category
A people first approach has been key.
I focus on understanding the individuals in the room and delivering training that feels relevant, engaging and supportive. That human element, combined with strong professional standards is what helps the work stand out and creates meaningful change.
What insight or advice would you offer to women who want to grow, lead, and make their mark
Own your expertise and don’t underestimate the value you bring.
and don’t wait to feel ready.
Growth often comes from stepping forward before you have all the answers and learning as you go. Stay true to your values, surround yourself with people who support your vision, and remember that doing things well and with integrity will always stand out.
What future goals or ambitions are you excited to pursue after receiving this award
Looking ahead, I’m excited to deepen the impact of the work we do.
That means reaching more organisations, supporting more people with practical, confidence building skills, and continuing to influence how training is delivered within the industry, making it more engaging, meaningful and people focused.
