Meet the Team
Julie Gordon MA, Chartered FCIPD, PGCE, MiFL
Managing Director
With ten years in the field of Learning and Development, Julie's strengths include the management and delivery of training interventions across all levels of the organisation from NVQ's to Management Development. Julie's academic background includes various teaching posts, specialising in the field of Work Based Learning, Coaching and Consultancy.
Alec Kokinis MA (Oxon), MA in HRM, Dip Ad. Ed, Chartered FCIPD, FCIS.MiFL
Chairman and Company Secretary
With over 35 years HR experience in various organisations including Electricity generation, Air transport and the Oil industry. Alec's strengths include Employee Relations and Employment Law. Alec has and currently holds a number of positions including Directorships and company secretary. Alec's academic background includes various teaching and external examiner's posts throughout the UK during the last ten years.
Helen Corner MBA, Chartered FCIPD, PGCE, MiFL
Examiner / Verifier.
John McDonald MSc, Chartered FCIPD, PGCE, MiFL
Examiner / Verifier.
John Hepworth ACA
Director of Finance
Janice Hepworth FMAAT
Centre Manager
David Hayden Chartered FCIPD, Dip HRD, Dip Management
Programme Manager
With over 20 years experience in Learning and Development, Recruitment, Talent Management and Management Development initiatives, David began his HRD career, as an operational manager supporting three YT placements. From this grew a passion for L&D and a career that has covered a variety of large organisations, covering distribution, retail, public service and finance. David is also qualified to deliver Business Improvement Techniques and NVQs and has a wealth of experience in Lean Manufacturing and Quality Improvement.
Michele Holmes MCIPD, MMPA
Programme Manager
Michele has a background in generalist HR, mainly within the Manufacturing Sector. She also has experience as a Board Member and Company Secretary and specialises in Employee Reward including payroll and pensions.
Paul Ackerley Chartered FCIPD, Cert Ed
Associate
Paul has over 20 years HR experience in the UK and Europe. He was initially a trainer and then moved into management. He has 10 years strategic management experience as a Head of Learning and Development, Head of HR Operations and Head of HR Strategy. He has undertaken work as a government inspector, and as a self-employed consultant and coach specialising in improving business performance through targeted and personalised HR interventions.
Dawn Brown Chartered FCIPD and MAC
Associate
Dawn has worked within the HR environment for over 15 years having held senior positions both within the specialism of Learning & Development and Human Resources covering both UK and International remits. Primarily her experience has been gained from working for a variety of organisations within the oil and gas supply chain providing her knowledge of operating within the shared service working environment, consultancies and matrix organisations. Experience out with oil and gas in the public and voluntary sectors continues to grow.
Since becoming an independent in 2009 much of the work she undertakes is about Change or Transitions, be it via an L&D programme, coaching or mentoring. Additionally she has been involved in the teaching of professional qualifications as well as to Masters Level covering subjects within the areas of HR, organisational business and management.
Current voluntary work as a Director of a small Charity is facilitating her own continued learning & development.
Kate Butterworth MSc HRD, MCIPD, MiFL
Associate
Kate began her career in the field of training within the public sector over 30 years ago, progressing to the retail and clothing industry sectors before forming her own company which designed and delivered customised training solutions. Clients then included several major UK organisations, as diverse as the Co-operative Group and Tarmac Construction, and public sector short courses on behalf of the Police, local government as well as many SME’s. Kate ventured into college lecturing as another string to her bow over 20 years ago and has taught to postgraduate level, with subject specialisms including Organisational Behaviour, Learning and Development and Performance Management.
Lindsey Hand
Lindsey has over 18 years' experience in Learning and Development, the majority of which has been within the public sector. Since working independently however Lindsey has worked with both major retail outlets and small businesses. She has considerable experience in designing and delivering learning opportunities particularly in the fields of leadership, management and organisational development. Another specialism is supporting organisational change. Throughout her career, Lindsey has provided an extensive consultancy service to senior managers and leaders, enabling them to successfully develop their staff through the use of coaching, team building, facilitating away days as well developmental workshops.
Peter Steadman MSc. Chartered MCIPD
Associate
Peter has 20 years extensive experience working at a strategic level within the Education sector. With specific responsibility for the design, delivery and commissioning of all Professional Development programmes within a single Education Authority - Peter's experience also includes Headteacher and school leadership development, Performance Management, talent management and succession planning in addition to NVQ centre management. Peter also supports organisational development and change management strategies as a national consultant.
Karen Summers MA, Chartered FCIPD, PGCE
Associate
Karen has extensive strategic-level experience in the Oil & Gas, Rail, Health, Retail, Catering, Charity and Training sectors. Before becoming an OD Consultant, she worked most recently for Oil Major, Total E&P UK PLC in Scotland as Head of Training & Development. She also acted as a Non Executive Director of RGIT Montrose and an Industry Leadership Team Member, representing the Oil & Gas Sector. Having worked in a number of organisations during management buy-outs, merger, acquisition and major cultural change, Karen has wide-ranging experience of managing change and a keen interest in people management and development. Other areas of focus for Karen include recruitment and selection, leadership and management development, coaching and mentoring.
Claire White
Business Support Associate
Over more than 20 years Claire has held a variety of managerial positions in the areas of administration, income generation, customer service, marketing, PR and web development and has an in-depth understanding of a wide range of business management functions. Specialising in business support and project management, Claire holds nationally recognised qualifications in management, teaching, income generation, administration and accountancy and is a qualified Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor.