Meet the Born Team
Paul Heaton. Makeup Artist and Founder
Paul Heaton is an artist specialising in feminisation makeup. Paul trained, privately, with one of the makeup teachers, who identifies as trans, from Cassie Lomas Makeup Academy in Manchester for 12 months before starting to paint faces professionally. Paul’s experience spans over six years and includes people of all ages and gender expression. He has had his artistry published in several national and international magazines.
Paul is fully committed to the mission to improve the lives of trans woman and non-binary people by offering them makeup help and advice.
How we present ourselves is an important factor on how people react and engage with us. We choose who we are and how we would like the world to see us. Makeup can be our mask to hide behind, a personal creative expression or just a tool to make us feel and look better.
Whether it is a day to day look, a party time persona or a professional / business style of makeup Paul can help you find a style which expresses you and how you feel.
Having a special occasion and want to look your absolute best? Makeup can help you achieve the confidence and self-esteem to be the light in the room. Paul will design a bespoke look just for you and your event.
In January 2020 Paul trained in wig refurbishment and styling. Follow this link to find out more about our wig service https://born.uk.com/wig-styling-refurbishment/
Devising strategic marketing solutions for Born’s business objectives, Paul is fully committed to a mission to improve the lives of trans and non-binary people by offering them practical help and advice, and working to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
Paul’s makeup kit consists of brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, NYX, Urban Decay and Illamasqua. Paul is also fully insured to practice.
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”

Leighanne Krystal. Fashion and Styling
Everybody wants to look their best all of the time but with the fast paced nature of modern life, people don’t always have the time and often, style falls down the priority pecking order.
Got a special occasion or attending an event? Maybe, as many of us do, you’ve had a change in lifestyle (weight, relationship etc?) and you don’t know where to begin to adapt. That’s where I come in. The rational and practical voice that is on your side.
Whether it’s editing your wardrobe to best represent where you are in your life now, helping you acquire those glam garments and accessories or being on hand at a photo shoot / runway fashion show, I’m your supporting style sister.
Leighanne’s achievements
- Fashion and Beauty Awards Finalist 2016
- The UK Fashion and Beauty Awards Finalist 2017
- International publications: Ell-ments Magazine, Shuba Magazine, Elegant Magazine, Surreal Magazine
- National publications: Creative Portrait Magazine, Froce Magazine
To Book with Leighanne call 07538 214 362 or email leighannekrystal@ymail.com

Sue Addlestone. Voice Training
Sue is Born’s speech and voice therapist, specialising in transgender voice training. Sue qualified with a degree in speech pathology and therapy from Manchester University in 1986 and has since worked in Australia, Salford, Manchester and Stockport.
During her career, Sue has worked with both children and adults with a range of speech and language difficulties. Her work has been in the following settings: a special school, mainstream schools, health centres and NHS hospitals. Her work as a lecturer for students on the Speech Therapy degree course (Manchester Metropolitan University) helped in the training of future speech therapists. In addition Sue has a Certificate in counselling, family therapy and expertise in a cognitive behavioural therapy.
Sue is published: ‘The Sourcebook of Practical Communication’ first published by Speechmark press.
Sue featured on North West News about Speech Therapy and voice. Her successful treatment for a female vicar enabled this lady to return to work, which she had been forced to give up due to voice loss.
In her NHS role, Sue is head of the voice service and has extensive experience in treatment of transgendered voice. She works as lead therapist with ENT Consultants in designated voice clinics within a hospital and also has training in counselling. Sue has worked as a lecturer and examiner on the speech therapy graduate course at MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University).

Sam Marshall. Beauty Treatments
Sam has worked with trans clients for six years her first when working at Harvey Nichols but been part of the Manchester LGBT community for 11 years.
Sam has the ability to put people at ease and her vast knowledge of beauty enables her to tailor make your ideal treatment plan to enhance your path.
Sam writes for trade publications, local newspapers and magazines, has appeared on local and National Radio and is also on the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority Advisory Committee. She has worked with many brands and her skill set covers nearly all beauty services available today.

Paul Thomas. Personal Trainer
TransTrainer is the Manchester based organisation designed for trans people in mind founded by Paul Thomas. He has earned his Active IQ Level Three Diploma in Personal Training and provides a safe and supportive training environment exclusively for trans people. He will assist you in attaining a body you will love and be confident in, achieving your specific goals, or maintaining and enhancing your desired fitness levels.
Paul has a private gym where you can be yourself without having to visit a public gym. You will be welcomed and respected at TransTrainer. FREE off-street parking with easy, gated access to the fitness space from your vehicle.

The fitness space features a multi-gym, free weights and resistance, suspension training, resistance bands, cross trainer, spin bike, skipping, and a punching bag.
As a black, gay, cisgender male, Paul understands the difficulties associated with discrimination. His goal is to provide a space where discrimination does not exist, so that no matter how you present, you can confidently exercise to achieve your ultimate fitness goals.
One-time sessions to comprehensive packages with nutrition and ongoing support are available.
Contact Paul at 07845 252002 or paul@transtrainer.co.uk for more information about beginning your body confidence journey today.
Single sessions = £35
One month package = £250
Four weeks, two sessions each week, a customised training plan, and nutrition counselling.
Three-month bundle = £675
Twelve weeks, two sessions each week, a personalised training plan, and nutrition guidance.

Jo Maddox. Mentor
Jo is a trans female, currently working as a mentor specialising within the Trans* community. In the last two years, she has had the passion for helping others by sharing her in-depth knowledge in the community. Jo finds the satisfaction very positive and continues to strive helping others.
Jo has helped people by listening, giving honest feedback, including guiding you into making the right decisions for yourself. She is there to be a role-model, and will be someone you can learn to fully trust. As a Mentor will inspire you, guide you, and expect you to give your best efforts into becoming the person you want to be.
As a Mentor, she can listen, guide and signpost
Mentoring is different than a friend. A Mentor is someone who has already been through and past an experience, and is willing to be a strong, responsible advisor to help you clarify and reach your own goals.
Jo normally works on a week basis of catch up, every 2 weeks if a mentee needs it ie. goals challenges. If mentoring is going well this can change to every 4 weeks.
Jo can provide practical support with issues such as:
- Social and medical transition
- Exploring gender identity
- Coming out
- Being ‘stealth’ / negotiating disclosure
- Offering practical support and take a problem-solving approach
- Providing appropriate information (and researching together) around gender identity
- Demonstrating an understanding around transgender identities including non-binary identities and gender variance
- Managing anxiety or stress
Please contact Born on paul@born.uk.com to book with Jo.
First 30min FREE chat via Skype or phone. If you wish to continue with Jo the cost is £10 per hour to work with the mentee.

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