EDUCATION AND SKILLS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Operational & Quality Consultant
Biography
Barbara, a seasoned professional based in Chester, England, has built a career spanning various roles in quality assurance and training. In her current role as a self-employed Freelance Training Quality Consultant with BL Training Consultancy Services, she provides comprehensive services including Quality Assurance of Apprenticeship Training Provision, Governance for Independent Training Providers, IQA services, and End Point Assessment for TQUK and NOCN.
Prior to her freelance venture, Barbara served as the Operations Manager at NTG Training Ltd for over four years, where she led and managed a team of expert tutors in sectors such as Digital Marketing, Team Leading & Management, Health & Social Care, and Customer Service. Her exemplary skills as an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) contributed to advancing the quality of teaching and assessment practices within the organization.
Expertise
Before NTG Training Ltd, Barbara held the position of Business Skills Manager at Mode Training Ltd for nearly seven years. In this role, she coordinated External Quality Assurance (EQA) visits, updated assessors on changes to standards, implemented sampling processes, and ensured compliance with agreed sample percentages.
With a diverse skill set encompassing compliance management, training assessment, and quality assurance, Barbara brings a wealth of expertise to her roles in the education and training sector.
Biography
Darrell has a diverse and extensive career in the maritime and education sectors, spanning various roles over nearly two decades. Currently serving as a Board Member of the Maritime Skills Alliance and holding the position of Director of Maritime Training and Development at the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, they lead Britain's oldest maritime charity, supporting seafarers through education, training, and career support. Concurrently, as an Academic Course Director at Lloyd's Maritime Academy, they oversee professional higher diplomas in Crew Management and Port Agents.
Expertise
Beyond maritime education, the individual has a comprehensive background in education quality assurance and improvement. They have served as an Ofsted Inspector for over 15 years, inspecting a range of educational institutions. Additionally, their experience includes roles such as a Non-Executive Director at Lean Education And Development Limited, an Interim Assistant Principal Quality and Standards at Lambeth College, and an End Point Assessor for Innovate Awarding.
Their involvement in various capacities, from overseeing academic programs to ensuring quality standards, reflects a multifaceted career dedicated to the advancement of education and maritime training.
Biography
Duncan is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant and has been FD in numerous companies including a large training provider, having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2000.
Expertise
Duncan's background in the training industry gives him an insight into the challenges faced by companies in the sector, including dealing with the SFA, and how to ensure the company's finance and data departments work closely together. And his work as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers means he's well placed to manage the SFA audit requirements.
Biography
With over 20 years in the Skills sector James has previously held a wide variety of roles including Business Development Manager leading field sales team, managing stakeholder engagement and bid writing. Since 2012 James has worked as a consultant within the education & skills sector. James has accumulated a wealth of experience in the education, skills, and political sectors, showcasing a diverse and dynamic career. Currently serving as the Director of both The Education and Skills Consultancy and Education and Skills Training & Development.
Expertise
James specialises in business planning, bid writing, finding funding and partnership management. With over 20 years' experience within the skills and education sector, James has excellent knowledge of funding streams, delivery mechanisms and the wider skills landscape.
Over recent years James has constructed ESFA, DWP and Local Authority bids, winning over £40 million of funding.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Senior Manager
- Bid Writer & Consultant
Biography
Steve is an experienced senior manager & director within the FE sector with a background in construction, customer service and management. For nearly 25 years Steve has led and been an integral part of a number of Independent Training Providers.
With experience in founding, developing and growing training providers Steve is a perfect choice to be a critical friend to stretch and challenge your organisation.
Expertise
As an Ofsted nominee Steve has been at the heart of several inspections and has led task and finish groups to improve organisational performance across business development, qualification delivery and quality assurance.