The Royvon Dog Training Schools

Management Team

Darren James, Managing Director

     Darren James was literally born into the world of dog breeding and training, his love for dogs and commitment to their well-being has been his lifelong passion and profession.

     Darren's late parents, Roy and Yvonne James, founded Royvon Boarding Kennels on a hilltop setting in Merthyr Tydfil in 1959. They, too, were successful, award winning dog breeders.

     Darren dedicated much of his early years to learning all the aspects of working trials, including protection and training.  In fact, he passed his first working trail qualification, Utility Dog at Bridgend Police Headquarters, at the age of 13. He regularly competed in this field for the next 5 years before becoming a professional, top level dog handler of German Shepherds at age 14, campaigning successfully throughout the UK. Darren judged his first German Shepherd Dog Show (with record entries) at just 16 years of age, and went on to judge nationwide. 

     Although Darren really enjoyed his school days in Merthyr, it is not surprising that his life outside classes revolved around dogs. In fact, at 16 he left school to join the Royvon family business, but continued his academic qualifications through night school, which led to an MBA in Business Management.

     When Darren and his sister Sarah took over the ownership of Royvon in 1994, they focused on developing new methods of dog training leading to the unique and highly successful Royvon Dog Training Programme. Darren is extremely proud of the effectiveness of his training methods, which are based on consistency and reward techniques.

     Today, Darren works between both schools, residing primarily in Surrey during its early operations.  The addition of the Surrey school includes the long-awaited introduction of a host of new services for both schools, including in-home and classroom training.  Darren will also be becoming more of a public figure for Royvon, speaking on behalf of dogs and owners and the importance of positive reinforcement training and behaviour management.

Sarah Draper, Co-Director

     Sarah Draper, like her older brother Darren, was born into a world centred around dogs.  While she spent her younger years working in the Royvon kennels, it was once she left school that her professional Royvon careers as a dog groomer and support member of the office staff began. 

     In 1994, Sarah assumed co-ownership of the business with Darren and helped re-directed her focus to expanding the business.  Part of her commitment to this goal was attending evening college courses which led to a business diploma and a background in IT.

     During this time, Sarah's primary desire was to make the business work - in honour of her parents and the integrity instilled upon her from them, her drive was fuelled by the incentive to make them proud.  Given the partners admirable upbringing and shared ambitions, it is not surprising that after years of hard work and long hours, the business not only just worked, it also began to grow and thrive.  A market for dog training services was realised and gradually developed into the success that it is today.  And, while the business and business successes grew, so did Sarah's drive and ambition - when the belief that dreams can be achieved became real, the new dream was now to make Royvon the biggest and best there is.

     Today, Sarah's key strengths to the business are her people skills and her ability to encourage and motivate the team.  She solves problems in a clear and concise manner and is constantly seeking to better herself, the staff and the future of the business.  Above all, Sarah cares deeply about Royvon and its history - she believes in what they are about and is committed at every level to her new dream.

Hannah James, Co-Director

Hannah currently resides at the Surrey school with her husband Darren James.  Hannah joined Royvon two years ago after she had completed a degree and a diploma in City & Regional Planning & Business at Cardiff University.  She is fully committed to the Royvon purpose and spent 3 years combing the U.K with Darren to find the next ‘Royvon’ school.  Hannah has recently completed a ‘Sustaining Profitable Growth’ course in conjunction with Cardiff University which has helped immensely with the strategic planning of the business.  

Hannah:  “It has been an honour for me to join such a dedicated family business, dedicated to pet owners and their dogs.  Being able to combine my education with my love for animals to contribute to Royvon’s success gives me extreme job satisfaction”

Diane Kunas, Brand Manageress

Diane holds her degrees from the University of Michigan and Wright State University, USA.  Her studies led to a career as a Marketing Executive for a full-service agency in Ohio.  When she moved to the United Kingdom, she took the opportunity to combine her career with a lifelong passion - her love of dogs.

Diane:  "This is such an important, yet unique service to provide dogs and their owners.  I believe every dog deserves to be included in as much as their owner's life and leisure activities as possible, and I couldn't be more excited to be involved in making that a reality."

Robert Taylor, Accountant

Robert began his career in 1979 with Deloitte Haskins and Sells Chartered Accountants. Through a series of successful, ladder-climbing ventures, he is now focusing his strengths in business development and coaching advice as a Director/Partner in Chartered Accountancy firm -btp Associates-.  Robert is an asset to the business and a visionary for its future.

Tony Price, M.I.P.R.

Following a 30 year career working in senior positions in marketing and PR for major national and international companies, for the last 8 years Tony has worked in a freelance capacity. He has worked closely with Royvon for the last seven years and sits on the Board of Advisory.