HOLDFAST TRAINING SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Finance & Commercial Director
Having qualified in the City as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, Andrew left the profession initially to work in London as group tax accountant for an international TV and communications company. In 1994 Andrew moved to Hamburg, Germany, as Financial Controller for the German based division of a major UK Engineering Group after which he went on to work as the Finance Director for a couple of start-up technology businesses in Hamburg and Duisburg. In 2005, shortly after his return to the UK, Andrew joined the RSME PPP bid team and following contract award in 2008, was appointed Finance & Commercial Director to the SPV. Andrew is now the longest serving member of the Holdfast Management Team.
Job Titles:
- Training & Services Director
Andy joined Holdfast in April 2020 after a 20-year career in the Royal Engineers that included service overseas and in the UK. Significant parts of this time were with The Queen's Gurkha Engineers (QGE) including two years commanding a QGE Search Squadron during which time he was also the Chief of Staff of the UK's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Search Task Force in Afghanistan. His final assignment was in HQ RSME as the Lieutenant Colonel responsible for the day-to-day coordination of training and assurance across the Group, including those sites supported by the PPP. This role, along with a previous assignment to Minley as the Regimental Second in Command, has given him unparalleled knowledge of both the training and services requirements of the RSME PPP contract.
Born in Nepal and brought up in India, Asha came to the UK in 2004 to join her husband who is serving in the British Army. Asha is a qualified accountant and an experienced finance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services, construction, insurance and manufacturing industries. Owing to her familiarity with the British Armed Forces, and the excellent reputation of RSME PPP contract, Asha secured the Finance Manager post in January 2018 and is responsible for the financial and management accounting of Holdfast.
Bev joined the Holdfast team in September 2021 as the Business Support Manager. Bev's career spans many areas of business support in a variety of sectors such as Commercial Property, Finance, Legal and most latterly, the Independent Education Sector. Bev's wealth of expertise covers intellectual property, external & internal communications, strategic planning & operational delivery, IT infrastructure, environmental social governance (ESG), GDPR, quality & environmental management (ISO 9001 and 14001), website development & analysis, corporate marketing and safeguarding. Bev is a natural leader managing the support functions of the business to ensure our contractual obligations are delivered to the highest possible levels and in accordance with the RSME PPP contract.
Job Titles:
- Business Support Assistant
Jackie joined Holdfast in 2009 as the Business Support Assistant. Jackie's previous career was in London as a Senior Legal Secretary in the commercial sector. Jackie joined Holdfast shortly after contract award and therefore has extensive knowledge of the RSME PPP contract. During her time with Holdfast she has also worked closely with all previous Managing Directors as well as the Commandant's of the RSME Group. Jackie is diligent and highly efficient and is responsible for not only supporting the Business Support Manager, but keeping the whole team organised.
Jeremy served as an Officer in the Royal Engineers for 32 years, gaining 3 degrees along the way. His final uniformed appointment, commencing in late 2012, was as the Contract Management Team Leader for the RSME PPP. Impressed with the partnering approach, he decided to leave the Army early and took up the role of Holdfast Training & Services Director in July 2015. Following successful interview in late 2019, Jeremy was appointed Managing Director meaning he has now worked on the SPV for over 9 years, as both Authority and Contractor.
John joined the Holdfast team in June 2019 as the Estates Director. His previous role was the CEO of the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project delivering throughout the construction period and into operations for over 5 years. Actively involved in the P3 sector for more than 20 years, operating in various SPV roles, John's varied career in Infrastructure, Schools, Custodial and Healthcare sectors have enabled a developed understanding of design and build, facilities management, ICT managed service provision, lifecycle analysis, financial modelling and SPV management. He has also previously fulfilled Board Level positions representing shareholder entities on operational SPVs. John's extensive knowledge and experience within the SPV sector is testament in the delivery of the RSME PPP contract.
After completing a 30-year career in the Royal Engineers as both a Soldier and Officer, Mark left the Army in 2016 and went on to work for one of the ‘Great 12' Livery Companies in London as Hall Director being responsible for the delivery of hard and soft services, PPM, Health & Safety and Project Management. A qualified senior Facilities Manager and senior Health & Safety Practitioner, he joined Holdfast in November 2017 as the SHEF Advisor and Performance Manager and is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day contract delivery standards are met and in line with the RSME PPP contract.