Experience

ICS Learn

• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Education and Skills Director

  • May 2021 - Present

  I'm responsible for Curriculum, Quality, Development and the operational integration of any acquisition and product innovation and creation. ICS Learn, also known as International Correspondence Schools Ltd, is the most trusted and most recommended online learning provider for online learning courses in the UK. It was founded in 1889 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The UK branch was set up in 1904, and it now serves around in excess of 25,000 students. Its students are based in more than 100 countries, predominantly in the UK but also across the Middle East, Asia, and Ireland. With students ranging from career starters to directors – and even Nobel Prize-winner Richard Feynman! – our courses create world-class professionals ICS has a large share of the market in CIPD Human Resources and Learning & Development courses and online GCSEs and A Levels. It also provides professional qualifications in accountancy, marketing, procurement, leadership, and project management. Our solutions based B2C and B2B products also extend to supporting colleges and providers to deliver the content and assessment for apprenticeship provision across a broad spectrum of qualifications. Show less



Apprentify

• United Kingdom
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Non Exec Ofsted Consultant

  • Oct 2020 - May 2021

  Worked with the Senior team at Apprentify to carry out a remodel of the Quality infrastructure and to put in place test inspections to prepare the team for Inspection. A complete review of process and policy was undertaken to stabilse the operation and prepare it for growth and success. Apprentify gained a Grade 1 in Nov 2022 Worked with the Senior team at Apprentify to carry out a remodel of the Quality infrastructure and to put in place test inspections to prepare the team for Inspection. A complete review of process and policy was undertaken to stabilse the operation and prepare it for growth and success. Apprentify gained a Grade 1 in Nov 2022



learndirect Limited

• United Kingdom
• Education Management
• 300 - 400 Employee

• HR & Delivery Director

  • Nov 2020 - Apr 2021

  With no HR or Delivery leadership learndirect approached me. I designed and delivered on a group wide People Strategy. Introduced and set up the Best Companies survey to coincide with a four year strategy to gain three star status Times 100 Best Companies to work for. Took the People and Delivery lead during two large acquisitions: Animal Courses Direct and I-to-i. Set up three new faculties whilst in post (Mental Health, Animal Care & Dentistry). Developed a new Operational Board report format for clearer reporting on performance across HR and Delivery. Standardised the companies recruitment process by introducing a Company Trainer / Recruiter to professionalise the on boarding experience. Direct responsibility for all Heads of Faculty, Curriculum / Content Development, Head of Strategy and HR. Show less



Avado

• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Freelance Senior Quality Lead

  • May 2020 - Nov 2020

  Avado - International online and face to face training solutions provider. Multi award winning service providing apprenticeships and commercial training in HR, Marketing, Technology and Finance. On a fixed term contract working with the Avado Exec and Senior Quality team to review current performance position and initiate an Ofsted readiness plan. To prepare self assessment pending year end outcomes linked to an operational quality improvement plan and 'positioning' operating model. To complete a review of curriculum and quality improvement processes and quality assurance measures with view to improving performance and learning achievement outcomes. To act as guide and mentor to a newly recruited Head of Quality. Show less



MAXIMUS Training

• National

• Director Of Operations

  • Jul 2019 - Apr 2020

  Maximus - An International Leader in government services and training. Contracted to work as a lead senior consultant with Maximus / Remploy on the transition and operation of its apprenticeship provision. I also covered maternity leave and took sole responsibility for the Apprenticeship Division and classroom based (AEB) provision of Maximus UK. Over an eight month period a project was initiated to set in place a governance structure, Ofsted readiness plan, operations restructure for AEB provision and the transition of the apprenticeships division to another provider. Undertaking external and internal stakeholder account management, staff redundancy process and conclusion, AEB performance management and all relationships with awarding bodies and employers. The project was delivered on time, identified efficiencies and savings and all employers and learners were successfully transferred to the new provider with no lapse or break in learning. I worked directly with the ESFA, CMI, EPAO's and learner management software companies to conclude the project at the end of April. Show less



QA Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Quality and Curriculum

  • May 2018 - Jul 2019

  QA - One of the UKs largest training providers, specialists in technology, providing a comprehensive suite of both learning and talent services I joined the QA executive team as their first Quality Director to put in place a quality management framework and create and deliver a long term plan for Ofsted readiness and drive performance of achievement in apprenticeships and classroom based delivery. This role worked closely across all business areas due to the senior team having no prior Ofsted experience. I worked closely with the newly appointed Operations Director and I had responsibility for the apprenticeship delivery in the South of England for four months whilst the new Director settled in. A 'test / health check' inspection in January 2019 provided a positive result using an external body of current / experienced Ofsted inspectors. From January 2019 to July 2019 I put in place the Ofsted plan and quality framework, created and finished the SAR and QIP plus restructured the Quality division bringing in a new Head of Quality and additional sector talent making sure QA was operationally ready for an inspection. The role had direct responsibility for the T&D of Operations (circa 200 staff), The Quality Department, Curriculum Design and Development teams plus the centrally managed EPA function. Facilitating the team through some key funding and commercial changes I designed operating models and processes that enabled the operations teams to relate and engage with curriculum and quality colleagues in order to proactively manage the whole of the learner journey and focus on the reporting of data and achievement analysis to drive improvement and performance. A high degree of change management leadership was needed along with introducing enhanced approaches and behavioural change around the performance management of learner outcomes, delivery and achievement planning linked to robust and credible curriculum pathways. QA gained an Ofsted grade 2 January 2020. Show less



Self Employed

• United States
• 700 & Above Employee

• Time Out

  • Sep 2017 - Jun 2018

  I took some time out following my role at NCG. I undertook some contract work for a while but used the time to focus on family priorities. I took some time out following my role at NCG. I undertook some contract work for a while but used the time to focus on family priorities.



NCG

• United Kingdom
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Skills / Operations -(Corporate Accounts)

  • Nov 2013 - Aug 2017

  A board level role within Intraining. Intraining was a National Training provider forming part of the Newcastle College Group providing Apprenticeships, Classroom based training and Employability Skills Training. As the Director of Skills and Corporate Accounts I had the remit of creating the team to strategically lead and take operational responsibility for Corporate Accounts (large and small employers) to drive quality, cost effectiveness and commercial growth across a 21m skills contract nationally. My remit was to lead the team to self assess as Grade 2, improve learner achievement, grow and retain learner volumes, maintain profit margins, increase staff satisfaction survey results, retain contracts, grow the supply chain and maintain high learner and employer satisfaction scores. Circa 250 team members nationally, 8 Senior Regional Managers and Subcontractor Teams. Approx two large scale restructures of the UK operation incorporating 300+ employees Apprenticeship provision at Intraining gained a grade 2 under my leadership. Apprenticeship Achievement focus, multi site management, Teaching and Learning, Change Management, Performance Modelling focus, Curriculum Design and implementation, multi sector leadership, contract closedown, subcontractor management, operational management, large employer account management, Ofsted nominee, stakeholder management. Show less



Charnwood Training Group

• National

• Managing Director

  • Apr 2009 - Mar 2013

  Managing Director of Charnwood Training Group, one of the UK's leading training providers of quality hospitality and service training. A company respected for delivering quality Hospitality and Leisure training, Charnwood delivered pre-employment training, vocational work based training, short courses and online teaching and learning solutions. Joining the business as MD, my brief was to work closely with the owners / shareholders to build, create and re-structure and develop the business, people, process and business engagement strategies to support significant growth. From Dec 2010 I created and implemented a business plan that provided the steps to growth by focusing on achievement improvement, classroom based T&L improvement, employer engagement strategies, business efficiency and organisational change and performance management. In line with the owners / senior team I directed and lead the business through an extensive growth leading to a position of 9 million turnover from a standpoint of 1.5 million in under 3 years. Whilst in post the business gained national contracts for delivering vocational training with some of the UKs largest employers within the pub retail industry by recruiting senior sales and engagement teams that understood the commercial challenges of working with employers in the area of education and training. I was lead nominee and Charnwood gained a Grade 2. Circa 250 staff. Change management, Performance Management, National Contract Management, Quality and Profit modelling, P&L Accountability, Stress Management, People Development focus. Show less



The Pacific Institute

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Training

  • Aug 2009 - Dec 2010

  Self Employed consultant specialising in team dynamics, performance management, profit maximisation, business coaching and HR Generalist advice and guidance. Contract work with KPMG. Undertook contracts with National clients helping to restructure and put in place performance measures that supported business goals. Undertook one years contract with the Pacific Institute as Training Director delivering high level change management courses, culture management and business transformation. Working with the Pacific Institute provided me with enhanced coaching and mentoring skills at the most senior level. Working with 'leaders of industry' on behaviour and change management models was one of the best experiences of my career. Being able to map behaviour and change to people performance and profit provided me with skills I use every day. Show less



Lifetime Training

• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director (Shareholder)

  • Apr 2004 - Aug 2009

  Operations and HR Director: In role in 2004 at the start of designing the business and project managing the organisation ready for growth. Directly responsible for the performance management of the company. 300% growth in less than 2 years (07-09), 4m to 10m turnover in less than 2 years. Initiated HR strategies, training and development models and commercial performance management. Strategic responsibility along with the Board to move the organisation from a small provider to medium sized business whilst hitting financial and quality targets. Gained Investors in People, The Training Quality Standard parts A and B, Ofsted Grade 2 (2008), achieved completion rate targets every year and hit every financial target year end 2005/ 06 / 07 / 08. Provided the face of the company in all people engagement strategies internally and externally. Supported the BECTA award (2008) application which Lifetime won for the use of innovative technology in further education and skills. Learner achievement, Leadership and Management, Growth, Ofsted, Commercial focus, Quality focus, Data and Reporting modelling, National operations, Change management, Performance Management, People Leadership, P&L accountability. Show less



TUI

• Germany
• Travel Arrangements
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Project Management

  • Sep 2002 - Mar 2004

  Based in various countries over two years the role had the operational and strategic responsibility to replace resource within various resort based operations, provide all the personnel support needed during redundancies, terminations and replacements. Designed and delivered new training and induction programmes across five countries. Implemented new key performance indicators for all personnel based resort operations. Project managed a bespoke senior management recruitment and training package. Set up new offices and call centres in five locations across Europe. Worked with Greek, Spanish, Italian and Maltese authorities to ensure TUI UK was represented at local level and all resort and airport based operations were managed to government policy and guidelines. Introduced work based vocational qualifications. Worked with diverse personnel groups in highly emotive and challenging situations. Travelled extensively over a two year period. Show less



We The Curious

• United Kingdom
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Operations Director

  • Apr 2000 - Sep 2002

  The venue was brand new to Bristol and I had the responsibility of getting the three venues (Imax, Wildwalk and Explore) open for public use in a three month period. I had responsibility for all venue operations with five direct senior reports and approx 80 team members. The venues reached commercial objectives and a strong standpoint within the leisure destination market of the Southwest the two years I was in post. The venue was brand new to Bristol and I had the responsibility of getting the three venues (Imax, Wildwalk and Explore) open for public use in a three month period. I had responsibility for all venue operations with five direct senior reports and approx 80 team members. The venues reached commercial objectives and a strong standpoint within the leisure destination market of the Southwest the two years I was in post.



Merlin Entertainments

• United Kingdom
• Entertainment
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Manager

  • Jan 1996 - Jan 2000

  Based at Alton Towers within the operations department the role had responsibility of four direct reports and approx 150 staff. Managing the operation of up to six venues on a daily basis in a demanding customer lead environment. Work was also undertaken across various Tussauds attractions. Facility management - all aspects. Staff management - all aspects with the support of a large HR department. Event management - for all internal events that involved the use of operations resource. Management of sales staff to ensure secondary spend targets were met. Delivery of all company training initiatives. Work undertaken in various attractions in the fields of training, change, motivation and performance maximisation. Crisis management trained - BBC media trained. Part of the project team that set up the Millennium Wheel. Show less