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
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 & 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.
Director of Curriculum
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.
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.
Staff Director
Lauren joined SS&L 2 years ago bringing 10 years’ experience in business, management and education. Lauren has a passion for developing learners whilst delivering quality learning. Within her role as staff director, Lauren will be focused on staff engagement and feedback and will oversee our internal staff committee ‘The Voice’.
Executive Assistant
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. She enjoys problem solving and utilising technology to update processes.
Delivery Manager
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Sector Team Leader
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Quality Manager
Curriculum Development Manager
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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 - Covers Mendip and Wiltshire
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 - Covers North Somerset and West Somerset
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 - Covers South and Central Somerset and Dorset
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.
Account Manager - Covers South Somerset (Wellington, Ilminster & Chard)
Natalie joined SS&L 3 years ago, starting out in the Customer Admissions Team before moving into an Account Manager position. With over 10 years of Customer Service experience and a passion for the education sector, she will be working with employers in the South Somerset area to help develop and train their staff.
Account Manager
Community Learning Lead
Sara is our Community Learning Partnership Lead who oversees community learning, contracts, performance and quality and compliance. She is passionate about supporting others, changing lives and has 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 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 Learning Administrator
Anna provides excellent administrative support to the wider community learning team and our community learning partners. Anna co-ordinates meetings, communicates with external partners and tutors, creates contracts, collates due diligence requirements, records payments to partners, quality checks learning plans, inputs data and updates performance data. Anna’s role is fundamental to community learning.
Anna is also a dog groomer and has to admit- dogs really are her best friends!
Community Learning Partnership Co-ordinator
Catherine brings a wealth of experience in community learning, networking and partnerships.
Community Learning Co-ordinator
Based in Frome, Emily oversees the community learning across Mendip ensuring a programme of delivery is in place to support the local community with learning, health and wellbeing. Emily networks across Mendip providing learning to community groups and ensuring SS&L has a diverse offer for the Mendip community. Emily manages 2 tutors and utilises their skills and experience to enhance our programme of delivery.
Emily has an extensive background in community learning programmes and supporting the community and a lovely sense of humour!
Community Learning Co-ordinator
Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2022 with us to help 'Build the Future', whether you're a future apprentice, parent/carer or employer!
UpdatesFresh new free workshops and courses for February! Lots of opportunities to make a difference to your life and how you feel...
UpdatesSS&L in partnership with Reform Training & Skills are offering free construction training courses & a CSCS card to any Somerset resident aged 19+...
