I am passionate about vocational education and how both educational institutions and awarding organisations values, ethics, cultures, quality and leadership can impact and inspire people to create opportunities for learners that enable them to change their lives for the better.I provide support to Awarding Organisations (and some Independent Training Providers) through a variety of actitivies, including, but not limited to:• Acting as the Responsible Officer• Providing technical advice and support on the interpretation of the conditions• Creating Statements of Compliance• Identifying, creating, monitoring and responding to notifications to the regulators • Providing support for the preparation of regulators information requests and / or audits• Designing, developing and reviewing policies and procedures• Designing, developing and reviewing quality and compliance approaches • Undertaking self-assessments, including against the conditions of recognition• Undertaking audits to help inform self-assessment outcomes• Undertaking investigations, such as those relating to malpractice and appeals, as an independent person• Designing and delivering surveys and consultations with centres• Undertaking product mapping and moderation• Undertaking centre approval activities• Undertaking centre monitoring activities, such as centre reviews, external verification and observations• Training external sub-contractors / centre monitoring staff and other staff• Project managing product development activities, including both new and existing products

AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group is a leading Awarding (AO) and End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) offering award winning qualifications and nominated end-point assessment services. As a member of the Board I provide strategic support, challenge and scrutiny and hold the CEO and Executive Team to account. During 2022 I was also seconded to the ‘Shadow Board’ to represent the Aim Board and provide advice, guidance, direction and decision making regarding the merger of AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group and West Midlands Open College Network which was completed in early Autumn 2022.

Swim England Qualifications (SEQ) is a national and international awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales. SEQ is the awarding organisation within Swim England (ASA) the National Governing Body for Swimming that has strong values and a vision of a nation swimming.Both within SEQ and across the wider group we work with hundreds of organisations nationally and internationally and thousands of learners achieve through the charity each year to support SEQ’s mission to inspire a workforce to deliver the best aquatics experience towards a nation swimming.I am responsible for all aspects of the Awarding Organisation, including supporting its strategic direction, managing operations, product development as well as quality and compliance. I am the Responsible Officer for both Regulators and work with an amazing team reporting to the Director and SEQ Board.

The Skills and Education Group incorporated three charities; emfec a membership organisation for further education providers, ABC Awards a national awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual / CCEA / QW and Certa a national awarding organisation regulated by QAA and Ofqual.As part of the group we worked with hundreds of organisations nationally and internationally and many tens of thousands of learners achieve through the charities each year.As a member of the Executive Team for the group, I was responsible for leading the Awarding Services Directorate, which included regulated and non-regulated provision and the role of Responsible Officer for ABC Awards for Ofqual / CCEA / QW. Departments within the Directorate covered; group Business Development, Compliance & Regulation, Qualification & Product Development, Assessment Development, Research & Funding, Centre Support & Customer Services.

Senior Consultant for an innovative company specialising in designing and delivering coaching qualifications, programmes and complimentary workshops. Delivered face-to-face and through distance learning, across the UK and internationally. The purpose of the role was to provide strategic support to the MD in relation to quality and business development opportunities. As a direct result the company began working with ABC Awards and as such a conflict of interest then existed. - Provided strategic and operational information, advice and guidance - Advised and supported the initial design and implementation of quality policies, systems, procedures and approaches- Externally monitored and audited the delivery of programs (including Level 5 programmes) and identified strengths and areas for improvement Supported the company’s ongoing continuous improvement and the maintenance of flawless Awarding Body visits - Supported the high achievement of customer retention, qualification achievement and satisfaction

Director and deputy to the Managing Director of a training company delivering prime contracts, sub-contracted and commercial qualifications and programmes of support within the employability, skills and work-based learning sector. The purpose of the role was to develop and grow the business whilst ensuring contract and sub-contractor delivery and improvement.Created positive relationships, networked and represented the company with key stakeholders, partners and sub-contractors. Including but not limited to the LEP, SEMTA, Awarding Bodies and the European Commission, in order to enhance the company profile, business and cross-fertilisation opportunities.Recruited and line managed senior managers across multiple centres, contracts and programmes, including the Head of Contracts and Head of Quality. Provided support through clear direction, agreement of KPI’s, identification of CPD and coaching to empower them and their teams to excel.Researched and analysed local delivery, identifying gaps in the market and producing business case proposals. Project led the development of new provision including creating implementation plans, budgets, forecasts and identifying resources and sub-contractors required to effectively deliver services and foresee growth.Managed change and maximised available resources through establishing and implementing a new management structure, operational strategies, effective monitoring and performance reporting.

Senior Manager and deputy to the Managing Director of a company delivering assessments against national quality standards, qualifications and business consultancy. With organisation wide responsibility for operations, ensuring the company delivered against targets, contracts and foresaw growth and development.Through relationship management, tender writing and contract negotiations, secured and generated business exceeding £10m in potential revenue in the last two years alone.Effectively managed simultaneous national government contracts on behalf of DWP, BIS, The Cabinet Office, UKCES, DOH and The Law Society. Delivered and exceeded quantitative and qualitative targets, including increasing a customer group retention by 20% in less than 8 months of acquiring.Successfully managed projects from initial identification through to launch for IT services, national standards, assessment and advice services and qualifications. Including leading the revision, piloting, ministerial launch (by John Hayes) and published evaluation report for the revised matrix Standard.Created and managed budgets and plans across all functions of the business. Monitored delivery in order to inform risk mitigation and strategic and operational decisions and produced annual, board and government published reports. Drove quality, creating lean approaches, linking rigour with customer focus. Oversaw the management of consultants, sub-contractors and staff ensuring that the company mission, aims and objectives were achieved. Coached individuals and challenged the status quo to achieve optimal results.In order to enhance the company profile, business opportunities and brand awareness, represented the company and government at strategic meetings, events and conferences on a national and international basis. Including delivering presentations and workshops to EU delegates at the PARES 2012 Convention in Brussels.

Senior Manager within the Strategy and Development team covering the UK, the purpose of the role was to ensure that the company maintained high levels of industry standards, delivered against contract requirements and continually improved in an ever changing environment.Maintained excellent awarding body visits, ALI Inspection and national standard assessment results.Drove high standards of delivery through quality assurance, self assessment strategies and national, regional and local action plans.Supported a range of colleagues and staff, including regional directors, regional managers, company departmental managers and operational teams to foresee company mission, visions, aims and objectives.Monitored, observed and audited staff and centre’s against contract delivery targets, internal quality systems and procedures and external requirements including the LLSC, Awarding Bodies and ALI in order to evidence and achieve tangible first class service delivery.Project lead the development and delivery of national staff training, systems, policies and procedures, e-portfolios, guidance and learning and assessment tools.Supported several divisional restructures as a result of changing business needs.Delivered and attended internal and external local, regional and company workshops to share best practice including leading on equality and diversity and financial assurance.