Meet the Team
We have over 100 staff to support you on your learning journey
From our directors to our tutors, everyone has one goal in common – to change lives through learning.
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Find out more about the people behind Somerset Skills & Learning and put names and faces to who you might be dealing with. All of our staff are passionate about transforming lives through learning.
Chief Executive
Susie began working with SS&L as a tutor in 1991. Since then she has had a variety of roles, including District Manager, Staff Development Officer, MIS and Finance Manager and Head of Foundation Curriculum, and she became Head of Service in 2011. She has a passionate belief in the value of education, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Non Executive Director & Chairman
Dominic has been working in finance for over 40 years. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, he worked with them in financial and IT consultancy. He then spent many years as a Finance Director for manufacturing PLCs, specialising in company reconstructions and acquisitions, before joining the housing sector where he spent the last 20 years helping major housing associations in London & Bath to diversify into private housing development as a means of subsidising their social housing activities. He is now semi-retired while still doing some consultancy. He has had significant non-executive experience both in the housing and education sectors and currently sits on the board of a specialist publishing business in Edinburgh.
Staff Board Director
Andy has worked for SS&L for over 15 years in a variety of roles including Disability Project Worker, Adult Learning Coordinator, Widening Participation Coordinator and Community Partnerships Coordinator. He is keen on supporting groups in the third sector to deliver education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and has been involved in a number of National Projects. He is a keen believer in the power of education to enhance and transform lives.
Staff Director and Delivery Manager
Hilary trained as a primary school teacher and worked for many years with Key Stage 2 children as class teacher with curriculum responsibility for IT, DT and art. After completing ESOL qualifications, she joined SS&L in 2003, moving on to teach Literacy and Functional Skills English. She now leads the team of English, maths, digital skills and Traineeship tutors. She was selected by SS&L staff as their representative Director in 2016.
Deputy Chief Executive
Kathryn joined SS&L in June 2015. Prior to this she was the Director of Funding, Information & Resources at Somerset College. During her 22 year career within the education and training sector she has undertaken a variety of roles including, Senior Manager for SS&L, Curriculum Manager (ICT / Business) for Somerset County Council and Corporate Training Officer for Bristol City Council.
Non Executive Director
Nicola Squibb joins the board of SS&L as non-executive director bringing over twenty years experience of working in the careers, employability, education and training sectors. Nicola has held a number of senior management positions at Prospects Services a leading national employee owned company most recently as Regional Director in the South West and the Shaw Trust a national charity. Prior to this Nicola was a board member of Careerfinder Ltd and commenced her career at Bridgwater College and Somerset College.
Non Executive Director and Chairman of the Business Development Committee
Richard Wilkins brings twenty years of experience working in the information technology sector in business development, sales leadership and digital transformation. Richard has held a number of senior management positions at global technology companies including Zones Inc, Skillsoft Inc, and Insight Inc. Richard has a degree in Chemical Physics from the University of East Anglia.
Non Executive Director and Chairman of the Quality and Curriculum Committee
Steve joins the SS&L board as a Non Executive Director following a four year appointment in Essex as Principal of an Adult Community College. He is currently working as a Further Education consultant which so far has involved projects on localism/devolution and area reviews. Steve is also working part-time in a training and development role at Somerset County Council. Steve spent a significant period of his working career in various roles with the former SS&L organisation and he is excited to see the organisation grow and prosper as a major learning provider in the South West.
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Sector Team Leader
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Delivery Manager
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Lead IQA
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Sector Team Leader – Leadership & Management and Digital Skills
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Recruitment Manager
Chelsea joined SS&L in 2018 having come from a similar role with another training provider. Chelsea started her career in education as an apprentice herself. Chelsea has been interacting with & interviewing candidates for nearly 4 years & is able to build strong relationships with these candidates. Chelsea is currently undertaking a level 4 careers information, advice and guidance qualification.
Account Manager
Laurie joined SS&L in June 2018, after six years’ experience of working within the education and learning industry including apprenticeships, adult learning and employability lead projects. Laurie is part of the employment engagement team and works with business’s across Somerset to support apprenticeship recruitment and upskilling for employed staff.
Account Manager
Georgina joined SS&L in 2007 as an Early Years NVQ Assessor and went on to teach for 10 years before joining the employer engagement team. Georgina is passionate about working with employers to train and develop their staff to be the best they can be and will source the most appropriate funding. Prior to joining SS&L Georgina has extensive experience in retail and hospitality management, customer service, childminding, pre-schools and children’s centres.
Senior Account Manager
Penny has been with SS&L for many years, starting as Office Manager at Castle Cary and progressing to Senior Account Manager covering all of Somerset and heading up the apprenticeship recruitment team. She has been involved in training and apprenticeships for more than 20 years and works with employers supporting them to develop and grow their businesses through apprenticeships and staff training.
Head of Marketing & Employer Engagement
Dave joined SS&L in 2017 after almost 15 years managing the commercial team in the West Country for Global, the media group behind Classic FM, Heart and Capital. With an accomplished background in managing client relationships and leading sales teams, Dave works with employers to help develop and grow their businesses through apprenticeships and staff training. Dave also leads our marketing team.
Assistant Director of Curriculum & Partnerships
Justin's passion for teaching and training began while teaching English as a foreign language in Spain. Before joining the SS&L family, Justin worked in the youth sector for 10 years supporting young people to reach their full potential through access to education, employment or training. Prior to his appointment to SS&L, Justin formed part of the Somerset Rural Youth Project's senior management team as Programme Manager.
Community Partnership Coordinator
Andy is an experienced Community Partnerships Coordinator and Staff Director. He is very keen to nurture, support and help develop adult learning opportunities for disadvantaged groups across Mendip and Sedgemoor.
Community & External Partnership Co-ordinator
Kerry co-ordinates and monitor's subcontracts' and external contracts' performance, quality and compliance across our community learning, subcontracted apprenticeships, traineeships, and adult qualification provisions. Kerry had previously worked within the employment and training sector for 14 years, bringing a wealth of skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to the team.
Community Learning Partnership Co-ordinator
Sara is our Community Learning Partnership Co-ordinator in South Somerset. She is passionate about supporting others, changing lives and has a good understanding of community needs and a wealth of experience in engaging with the community and delivering quality education and training. Sara enjoys seeing the positive impact that the fantastic projects have.
Community Learning Administrator
Emma joined SS&L in February 2020 after years of experience in the education and care sectors. She first learned of SS&L after working towards a diploma in Business Administration with us. Emma help to support the Community Learning team in a variety of ways. She enjoys problem solving and utilising technology to update processes.
Community Learning Partnership Team
This February we're focusing on your health & wellbeing, self development and career support, so treat yourself to some self care and take steps towards a better future...
Employer NewsTraining isn't just important to your business, it's vital. Our Professional Development Guide embraces all our carefully designed courses...
UpdatesFollowing 30 years of service, the Chief Executive of SS&L, Susie Simon-Norris, has announced that she will be retiring this spring. Kathryn Baker will be taking on the role. Read more...
If you can offer a trainee work experience in your business as part of their traineeship, we would love to hear from you.
Our trainees are aged 16-24 and want to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to secure an apprenticeship, get into work, or prepare for further education and a traineeship can help them get there.
Book an appointment with a member of our Employer Engagement Team to learn more about how we can support your business.