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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.