Our Team

Three martial artists sitting against a brick wall, shown in silhouette in a dimly lit room.

Our instructors bring decades of experience and a shared passion for traditional Aikido. Each member of the team is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive dojo where students can learn at their own pace, develop confidence, and enjoy training together.

Sensei Richard Hughes
Aikido - 3rd Dan

Two martial artists practicing Aikido in a dojo with Japanese characters on the wall, one in a white gi executing a move on the other, who is also in a gi, with a logo of Aikido on the bottom left.

  • 1997 to 2000, Ki Aikido in Paris with Sensei Gérard Blaize, 7th dan.

  • 2000 to 2004, Aikikai Aikido in Chile with Sensei Jorge Rojo, 7th dan.

  • 2006 to date: National Aikido Federation (previously Kai Shin Kai) in UK + intensive weeks in Paris with Christian Tissier, 7th dan, Patrick Benezi, 7th dan, etc.

  • British Aikido Board certified coach.

  • Other martial arts experience includes: BJJ, kick boxing, self-defence training.

A man in traditional martial arts attire sitting, smiling, in a Takmat dojo. Japanese characters and an Aikido logo are also visible.

Sensei John Jacques
Aikido - 3rd Dan

  • 2004 to date: National Aikido Federation (previously Kai Shin Kai) in UK.

  • Teaching Aikido at national courses.

  • British Aikido Board certified coach.

  • Other martial arts experience includes: MMA, boxing, etc.

A man in a white martial arts uniform demonstrating a karate stance in a dojo, with Japanese characters and an aikido logo on the image.

Sensei Lawrence Hibberd
Aikido - 4th Dan

  • 1989 to date: Kai Shin Kai.

  • Attended over 80 national courses, incl. Doshu 10th dan, 8th dans Kobayashi, Cottier, Kanai, Toyoda, Fujitani, etc.

  • Teaching Aikido at national courses, organising many Shihan and self-defence courses.

  • Taught by people who trained directly under O'Sensei & Kenshiro Abbe 8th Dan.

  • British Aikido Board certified coach.

  • Other martial arts experience includes: Lau Gar Kung Fu.