SKILLS 25

TUDOR PRICE (Host)
Chief Executive at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

A skilled business leader within both the private and public sector. Proven operational and contract delivery experience with broad commercial expertise in all corporate functions. Experienced Chairperson and facilitator at national and regional level representing cross sector engagement.

Specialities: Leadership, Presentation & communication, Committee work, Bid writing, Economic Development
Relationship management, Operational design & delivery, Contract performance and delivery.

FACILITATED BY: JONATHAN SHAW
Strategic Director at Kent Further Education

Jonathan’s career has been remarkably diverse, spanning roles as a farm worker, care assistant, and social worker before entering politics. He served as a Member of Parliament for three terms (1997–2010), during which he held several ministerial positions, including roles at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He was also the Regional Minister for the South East and served as a Government Whip.

In addition, Jonathan contributed as a Private Parliamentary Secretary at the Department for Education (DfE) and was an active member of the Education and Skills Select Committee for four years.

Currently, Jonathan is the Strategic Director for Kent Further Education and serves as a board member, having previously been the Chief Executive of the think tank Policy Connect. He is also the Chair of the Blackthorn Trust, a Kent-based mental health charity, and has been running the Medway Leadership Programme for the past 14 years.

ANTHONY GARDINER
Communications Director at G’s Group

Anthony has worked in the fresh produce industry for the past 17 years both in the UK and internationally as a senior leader within the G’s Group. As Communications Director Anthony has worked across numerous produce industry challenges and works to develop and protect the G’s reputation. Anthony started his career with G’s as the UK marketing director where he was responsible for the development of iconic fresh produce brands such as fresh&naked and was part of the team that laid the foundations that led to the global development of Love Beets.

Prior to working for G’s, Anthony held buying, marketing and category roles with Tesco, Campbells, and The John Rannoch Food Group.

LARA POOL
Inclusive Growth Manager – Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

As the Inclusive Growth Manager at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, Lara is dedicated to ensuring that the opportunities created by Ebbsfleet Garden City, the first garden city in 100 years, benefits local communities. She works closely with residents, the education sector, employers, and stakeholders to drive economic inclusion and social mobility.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has developed targeted programmes to address inequalities in the local area, fostering skills development, education outreach, and pathways to employment, apprenticeships, and work experience. With a strong focus on aligning local talent with employer needs, these initiatives span the built environment sector; from entry-level roles to skilled trades, site professionals, designers, engineers, and planners.

Since January 2022, Ebbsfleet’s regeneration efforts have generated over £31 million in social value for local people through economic, community and environmental activity. Passionate about creating long-term, meaningful change, Lara continues to champion inclusive growth, ensuring that regeneration translates into real opportunities for the people who need them most.

LAUREN EDWARDS
Labour MP for Rochester and Strood (Elected in July 2024)

Prior to being elected to parliament she was the Medway Council Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward investment responsible for local businesses, labour market planning and strategic skills development, and inward investment.  

Her academic background is in international relations and social sciences, and she holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a former manager at the Bank of England, responsible for regulating large financial companies. 

She is a member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee and chairs several All Party Parliamentary Groups relating to financial services, employment and skills. 

MEL COLLINS
Shadow Skills England at Head of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs)

Within my role as the Head of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) at Shadow Skills England I oversee the whole of the LSIP programme, which means I and my team work closely with the 38 designated Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs) to ensure that the LSIP policy delivers against its objectives.

I have been working on LSIPs and their accompanying funding programmes (the Strategic Development Fund and the Local Skills Improvement Fund) since December 2021, and through this time period I have seen some brilliant projects, with groups of FE providers collaborating to develop innovative provision to meet current and emerging skills needs, as well as employers shifting in their understanding of the skills system thanks to the work of the ERBs.

TAMMY FEVRIER
Deputy Director, Sector, Skills, Place and Progression at the Department for Work & Pensions

Tammy is the Deputy Director for Sectors, Skills and Progression with responsibility for all age skills policy, including DWP’s Sector Based Work Academy Programme and wider efforts to better align the Jobcentre Plus brokered careers, skills and employment offer to citizens and improve the department’s relationship with employers and key national initiatives like the Industrial Strategy, looking ahead to the introduction of the new jobs and careers service.

She was previously Deputy Director for Youth and Skills with responsibility for the design and implementation of the DWP Youth Offer, including establishing the spine of the national youth hub provision network.  In an extensive career she has blended work as private secretary to a range of ministers with roles as senior sponsor for bodies like the Health and Safety Executive and Office for Nuclear Regulation and establishing DCMS’s post EU Exit provision strategy. Social policy has been a career anchor for nearly two decades.

A mum of one (giant!) teenage boy, Tammy ‘enjoys’ following the travails of Tottenham Hotspur, baking, socialising and laughing.

FACILITATED BY: LUCY DRUESNE
Chief Contracts and Policy Officer at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

Lucy is the Chief Contracts and Policy Officer and the Kent & Medway Locals Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) strategic lead at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. The Kent & Medway LSIP works with employers and employer representative groups to identify the local skills needs and solutions to address them in our key sectors, in collaboration with the local education providers. 

Lucy grew up in France and came to the UK to work on a European project for Kent Invicta Chamber after which she moved to roles in Higher Education and has spent the last 20 years at the interface of education and business in her roles, in particular as Deputy Director of Innovation at the University of Kent and as Manager of GOETEC, a partnership of Kent & Medway Higher and Further Education and public sector organisations.

JAMES MOON
Head of Network & Employers at The Careers & Enterprise Company

James Moon is the Head of Network and Employers, and part of CEC’s Senior Leadership Team, he is responsible for developing, evolving, and delivering the strategy of Careers Hubs and associated programmes. He ensures alignment and synergy with local, regional, and national programmes related to skills, economy, and education, making Careers Education, particularly Careers Hubs, central to these agendas.

James leads CEC’s response and engagement on devolution with central government and manages relationships with Combined and Local Authorities across the country. A key part of his role involves engaging and utilising employers, placing them at the heart of careers education.

James has a background in consulting on strategic governance and CSR, has worked in the European policy space focused on youth justice, and began his professional career in education, focusing on Further Education (FE) and Alternative Provision.

JIM SCOTT
Head of Trainee Recruitment & Development, Alltask Ltd

Jim is the Head of Trainee Recruitment & Development at Alltask Ltd.  Alltask is a scaffolding, insulation, and asbestos management specialist working with main contractors and clients on a wide range of projects.  The company works across multiple sectors including, Civil Engineering & Infrastructure, Construction, Social Housing, Heritage, Industrial and Rail. Alltask Headquarters and main yard are based in Rochester, Kent, with a secondary depot based in Luton, Bedfordshire.  The company has over 300 employees, 100+ vehicles and is one of the largest independent family run scaffolding company in the Southeast of England.

Jim joined Alltask in 2021 and is responsible for the recruitment and development of Trainee Scaffolders, Asbestos Management Operatives and Commercial Insulation Technicians.  Jim conducts career engagement activities with schools & colleges, the military community, the justice sector and local council organisations to recruit talent into the organisation and on to his trainee programme.  Within the Trainee Programme Jim utilises the Scaffolding Adult Learning Pathway, L2 Scaffolding Apprenticeship and L3 Thermal Insulation Apprenticeship to qualify Trainees.  Jim is responsible for the management of all Trainee development whilst on the programme.

JO SIMOVIC
Senior DEI Programme Manager, Emerging Talent at Amazon

Jo has been designing and delivering meaningful development programmes for business of all sizes for the last 20 years. As a management consultant, she collaborated with senior leaders in a variety of industries and supported their personal development, development of their teams and learning organisations. Prior to joining Amazon, Jo ran an apprenticeship organisation for 5 years delivering apprenticeships for the organisations like The Dorchester, The Savoy, Claridge's and Royal Household. 

Jo joined Amazon in 2022 as a Senior Program Manager with responsibility for internal apprenticeships for managers. Since she joined, Jo delivered just short of 300 apprentices starting on 6 new programs. Jo is passionate about widening participation on apprenticeship programs, quality of provision and developing meaningful apprenticeships programs. Jo also leads on T level and Work Experience programs at Amazon and is a Chair of DfE T level Ambassador Network. 

JUDE FARRELL
Head of Service, Community Learning and Skills, Kent County Council

Jude is the Head of Service for KCC Community Learning and Skills which delivers Apprenticeships, Study Programmes for young people and Adult Skills course across Kent under the brands Kent Training and Apprenticeships and Kent Adult Education. On leaving school, Jude undertook an Electronic Engineering apprenticeship before deciding to change careers and moving into the world of education. Jude has undertaken various roles within the Adult Education sector for many years, joining KCC Community Learning and Skills in 2000 as a community based IT tutor/coordinator. 

Jude is passionate about people; she has undertaken many years of voluntary roles with a range of organisations that support people to improve their lives and loves working in an environment that provides constant challenge, as well as regular reward from seeing the impact that education makes in improving learners' opportunities and lives.

PAULINE SMITH
CEO at CXK

Pauline became Chief Executive of CXK in February 2017 and brings a breadth of expertise in developing high quality education, skills, training, personal development and employment opportunities.

Pauline has held many senior leadership roles across the voluntary and public sectors with an established track record in leading organisations to develop and enhance initiatives to support vulnerable children, young people, adults and families.  Her passion for tackling social disadvantage and promoting an ethos of empowerment to support individuals to access services and support drives her ambition for a fair and inclusive society.

Pauline lives in Kent and devotes personal time to supporting a number of charities across India.

DEREK MURPHY
Cabinet Member for Economic Development for Kent, Kent County Council (KCC)

Derek was born in Folkestone in March 1958 and is married to Alison, where they currently live in Walmer.

He was educated at St Edmunds RC Secondary School Dover, & studied at the University of Kent at Canterbury (MBA in 1997).

Derek retired in 2015 (after 30 years) from British Telecommunications Plc as a Senior Manager Global Programmes. Commissioned Royal Military Academy Sandhurst 1985, Officer Territorial Army(V) Royal Signals. In 2015 he was elected to Dover District Council & in 2017 he was additionally elected to Kent County Council. Derek was successfully re-elected to DDC in May 2019 and May 2023 & to KCC in May 2021.

As well as representing Walmer & Deal, he is currently the Cabinet Member for Economic Development for Kent at Kent County Council.

CELINE McGEOWN
Customer Engagement Manager South East, CITB

Celine has extensive experience working in the construction sector over the last 18 years. Working in the Further Education Sector running construction training provision, setting up a construction training centre and managing apprenticeship provision.

She has been with CITB for the past 7 years and her current role as Customer Engagement Manager for Southeast works with strategic partners and major projects focussing on construction skills and employment.

CALVIN HOWE
Senior Stakeholder and Social Value Manager, VolkerFitzpatrick 

Calvin has 20 years public and private sector experience in recruitment, developing social impact strategies, stakeholder management, bid writing, client and supply chain engagement.

Since joining VolkerFitzpatrick in 2011 one of the leading engineering and construction companies in the UK, Calvin has been involved in over 100 projects helping to embed social value within procurement processes working with supply chain contractors to deliver positive local outcomes and leave a legacy.

Calvin has set up three National Skills Academies for Construction and two Construction training hubs resulting in 1500 job and apprenticeship opportunities created. His work has achieved recognition from National Highways, Crossrail, and National Centre of Diversity.

Currently Calvin is supporting Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) a collaboration between VolkerFitzpatrick, VolkerRail, Octavius and AtkinsRealis who have won delivery of the £9bn Network Rail integrated framework across Wessex, Sussex, Kent, and South London. SRE embed social value as part of their procurement and to support the employment & skills agenda are speaking to Citb to gain to gain National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) status.

CATHAL TAYLOR
Academy Lead Trainer, O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd

Cathal has been a committed employee of O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd since first joining the company as a Carpenter in 2007. He quickly progressed through the ranks becoming a General Foreman and is held in high regard by both his peers and stakeholders alike for his leadership qualities and his extensive technical knowledge.

With almost 30 years of experience in the construction industry starting out as an apprentice carpenter in Ireland he continues to seek out self-development opportunities and is currently studying an NVQ Level 6 in Health & Safety. Cathal has worked on large civil engineering and infrastructure projects including Heathrow Terminal 5, and has gained a reputation for delivering high end bespoke designed projects.

He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Training Academy and is passionate about inspiring the next generation into the construction industry. Supported by Academy colleagues and Cathal’s innovative approach to learning he has developed a comprehensive suite of training courses in conjunction with industry recognised leaders such as NOCN, HILTI, Vertamax, and Conquip to name a few. These courses contain both theory and practical modules designed to give the learner a true feel for a career in the construction industry.

DEBORAH SHAW
Chief Executive, The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Deborah Shaw is Chief Executive of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury (Theatre of the Year 2022 UK Theatre Awards).

During 8 years as Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company she was Director of the World Shakespeare Festival for the London2012 Olympics.

As Creative Director of Historic Royal Palaces she commissioned a range of large-scale artworks including Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red (the Poppies) at the Tower of London, which won the Sky Southbank Award.  

She has directed over 30 productions in regional theatres across the UK and has commissioned and produced theatre in London, New York, Washington, Mexico City, Baghdad, Moscow, St Petersburg, Damascus, Rio de Janeiro, Ottawa, Cape Town, Rome, Prague, Mumbai and Beijing.

She has an MA in History from Cambridge University and is an honorary Doctor of Arts for services to theatre (Oxford Brookes University).

JO NOLAN
Managing Director, Screen South

Jo Nolan’s producing and company management experience covers a wide spectrum of film, media and arts, including, Features, Shorts, Theatre, and Training nationally and internationally.  Jo has extensive experience in independent film production, having developed her skills through Producing, Production Management, AD and Art Departments. Her support has been integral to the success of several award-winning UK independent filmmakers including Oscar and Cannes winner - Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor, Mark & Nick Francis, Oliver Hodge, Harriet Rees, Jo Southwell, Nichola Bruce, Robert Cannan, Corinna McFarlane and Rob Lemkin - as part of her Feature Exec Role  and Talent Development lead at Screen South.

She has Exec Produced and delivered over 350 productions including features, award winning shorts and music promos. More recently Jo has been producer for BBC Arts New Creatives South and C4’s Random Acts delivering over 170 shorts and Interactive projects by new talent for Broadcast. She has been a leading partner on European programmes - Create Converge, North Sea Screen  Partnerships and the Hi3 Network. Jo is currently Lead on Screen South’s Develop- Create XR with the BFI’s Creative Challenge Fund.  Jo is a voting member of BAFTA and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

ALASTAIR UPTON
Chief Executive of Creative Folkestone

Alastair became Chief Executive of Creative Folkestone in 2012; an arts charity established to regenerate Folkestone making it a great place for people to live and work, study and play, and then visit which is now the UK’s most complete example of creative led placemaking. 
  
Between 2006 and 2011 Alastair was chief executive at the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s arts centre, where he oversaw its re-opening in 2008 following a redevelopment. For ten years, prior to working at the Bluecoat, Alastair was the Director of Charleston, home of the Bloomsbury group of artists. 
  
Alastair has also been involved with several festivals including the Charleston Festival, was co-founder of Small Wonder, Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival, Folkestone Book Festival, SALT, and Normal?

TRACY BRUNT
Director of Ideas Test

Tracy is the Director of Ideas Test, a Creative People & Places project based in Medway and Swale encouraging participation in arts and culture by under-represented communities.

She has worked in the creative industries in London and Kent for the last 35 years as a producer, fundraiser and programmer for touring companies, venues and local authorities including Kent County Council, Half Moon Theatre, Graeae, OIly Cart and the Albany in Deptford. 

AMY SCOTT
Senior Producer of Ideas Test

Amy has substantial experience in the arts, theatre, music, and live events, as both a performer and a producer and in commercial and subsidised sectors. Her professional journey is deeply rooted in her passion for the transformative power of the arts, and she has dedicated her career to creating inclusive, impactful, and memorable cultural experiences for diverse communities.

WILL DRAFFIN
Director of Digital & Future Technology, iCCi

Will Draffin leads digital development within the Institute, including their hub for digital creative industries, Docking Station, the research and artistic programmes and their work with young people.

Will has had a long career working across several global event technology companies operating in a range of markets such as film, theatre, concert touring, corporate events, broadcast, themed attractions and education.

He has a wealth of experience in emerging technologies, including MR, XR and AR, and their practical use across the creative industries.

AARON WHITE
Assistant Director of Corporate Services & Sustainability at Oakland Care Homes

Aaron has over 15 years’ experience in care operations and project delivery, with a previous career in hospitality and a BSc. Environmental Management.

He is passionate about the environment and believes strongly that all businesses must do their part to move the sector to a more sustainable way of working. Aaron also believes that being more sustainable has a wide range of business benefits, and that being ‘Green’ is crucial as we move forward.

Oakland Care have been committed to sustainability since 2020 – they have been carbon neutral since 2021 and are actively evolving to Net Zero.

Aaron has developed a strategy and team within Oakland Care that has led to engagement across all levels of the organisation, with tangible results. They are leaders in sustainability with multiple accreditations and awards to their name.

AMANDA CHADWICK - HR INDUSTRY EXPERT
Croneri

Amanda Chadwick is an experienced and well-known speaker, specialising in all areas of employment law, Health & Safety law and employee wellbeing.

With over 30 years as a spokesperson and experience training and educating businesses in all areas of HR, Employment Law, Health & Safety, Mental Health, Wellbeing and Menopause, Amanda is a sought after highly respected speaker, presenter and live interviewee/er.

Amanda is experienced on camera, working globally to support business owners, she is available to interview and present on a variety of workplace issues and business issues. Amanda also works as a motivational speaker, podcast and webinar presenter. Areas of interest include Menopause, International Women’s Day, Women’s Rights, Mental Health, Employment Law, Societal HR and impact and Futuristic HR.

LARA BYWATER
LDC Care Company

Lara Bywater has led LDC Care Company to become one of the leading specialist providers of care and support services to some of the most complex individuals within the sector today. Throughout this journey, Lara has ensured that the original family values upon which the company was established in 1999, remain the true foundations of the organisation as it looks today.
 
To support this, Lara has placed herself at the centre of conversations which support the development of the care sector and those it supports and employs, and has represented it's interests at a national level to ensure its voice and vital messages are heard.

VICTORIA NEWMAN
Service Manager of Leaving Care Service Children’s Social Work Services, Kent County Council

My commitment to improving the life chances of vulnerable individuals began in 2002 while teaching adults with learning disabilities in a training kitchen, where I also focused on raising aspirations and preparing them for work.

In 2007, a service reorganization led me to become self-employed, allowing me to provide tailored community-based learning opportunities. I balanced this work while studying for a social work degree at Christchurch University, where my dissertation explored outcomes for adults with care experience.

Although I initially worked in child protection, I later became the team manager for Kent’s 18+ Care Leaver Service. As of 2024, I serve as Service Manager, leading initiatives to enhance Education, Training, and Employment opportunities for Kent’s 2,000 care leavers aged 18-25.